Prospect Info: The 2023 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[Aggie204]

It has driven home the tank narrative. To succeed in the NHL you have to embrace bottoming out. Just to add something Chevy won’t do so we get to keep picking in the 10 -20 range. Mediocrity here we see to stay.

I keep asking myself this question, would I be happy with a bottom feeding team for 5+ years? I was a crappy fan on that 2nd half of the season collapse.

 

[Channelcat]

It has driven home the tank narrative. To succeed in the NHL you have to embrace bottoming out. Just to add something Chevy won’t do so we get to keep picking in the 10 -20 range. Mediocrity here we see to stay.

Idk about that. Might be worth it if you get a McDavid or Crosby, but that just isn't the reality of it.

 

[surixon]

Idk about that. Might be worth it if you get a McDavid or Crosby, but that just isn't the reality of it.

Just what I was going to say. It also greatly matters when you bottom out. The Rangers haven't gotten much at all from their second and 1st overall selections. Edmonton didn't their first bottom out and Buffalo's first foray to the bottom failed as well.

 

[Channelcat]

Just what I was going to say. It also greatly matters when you bottom out. The Rangers haven't gotten much at all from their second and 1st overall selections. Edmonton didn't their first bottom out and Buffalo's first foray to the bottom failed as well.

Yup them and the Habs have been drafting high for 20 years. It's a tough cycle to break.

 

[Duke749]

Imagine if Bedard got a chance to play with Laine… man that would be cool to see. Instead he’s gonna waste half a decade in Shitcago while they try and figure shit out.

 

[tbcwpg]

Imagine if Bedard got a chance to play with Laine… man that would be cool to see. Instead he’s gonna waste half a decade in Shitcago while they try and figure shit out.

I'm very interested in seeing how they un-tank themselves and if they can do it quickly enough to get something out of Bedard on an ELC. I seriously doubt it.

 

[cbcwpg]

After watching ESPN screw up the draft lottery reveal ( Them telling us all that Columbus had been dropped to third without Daly actually showing the card that said they dropped to third ) ..there is a video on the NHL site that shows the actual drawing of the balls.

Link ....

<iframe src="Bettman draws 2023 Draft Lottery" width="540" height="360"></iframe>

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I'm very interested in seeing how they un-tank themselves and if they can do it quickly enough to get something out of Bedard on an ELC. I seriously doubt it.

I’m not sure of their cap space but they will have no problem getting UFA to play there.

 

[Channelcat]

I'm very interested in seeing how they un-tank themselves and if they can do it quickly enough to get something out of Bedard on an ELC. I seriously doubt it.

They need an entire roster, starting with a goalie. They'd be smart to make a pitch for Helly and Scheif. Unless they are planning a longer term tank.......but I don't think you do that with Bedard.

 

[cbcwpg]

I’m not sure of their cap space but they will have no problem getting UFA to play there.

Chicago's free cap space going into next season is currently $41,844,877 with just 13 players on the active roster. That's a lot on space to play with to fill out the roster.

 

[RustyCat]

Imagine if Bedard got a chance to play with Laine… man that would be cool to see. Instead he’s gonna waste half a decade in Shitcago while they try and figure shit out.

Chicago has 8 picks in the first three rounds of this years draft and lots of cap space with Toews, Kane, and other expiring contracts up. Davidson has done a decent job in his short time with drafts and trades so I think if you are a Hawks fan you are probably grateful it isn't the old guard running the ship.

They need an entire roster, starting with a goalie. They'd be smart to make a pitch for Helly and Scheif. Unless they are planning a longer term tank.......but I don't think you do that with Bedard.

If I am Chicago I am not pitching for Helle as the guy openly said he wants to go to a contender as he is in his prime. Chicago is obviously not that and would know there probably isn't a good chance Helle would sign to a team during a build. Schief on the other hand may have value there

 

[Daximus]

Imagine if Bedard got a chance to play with Laine… man that would be cool to see. Instead he’s gonna waste half a decade in Shitcago while they try and figure shit out.

I think it's gonna be a quick turnaround for Shitcago with Bedard. They have a slew of picks in the first two rounds in this years draft. 1, 20, 35, 44, 52 and 56. Plus another two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders in 2024 and two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders in 2025. So in total that's 14 picks in the top 2 rounds of the drafts over the next 3 years. Which includes what is likely a generational talent.

Despite their recent stink surrounding them they will also likely have little issues in attracting UFA talent once they have Bedard in uniform. Plus they have a slew of decent recent picks in forwards like Frank Nazar, Colton Dach, Lukas Reichel and Ryan Greene. Defencemen like Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Ethan Del Mastro and Alex Vlasic. And at least one high end goalie prospect in Drew Commeso.

They will have a solid foundation to build on with all of those guys and Bedard plus another 13 picks in the top two rounds over the next 3 years.

They probably aren't going to be very good for a little while but there are a lot of big name FA's coming up and they have a lot of cash to spend on top of having a lot of draft capital for picks and trades.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

If they are trying to slowly build through the draft and they actually trust the players they have. They probably need to add as early as next in the UFA market but really they should be looking at teams like us that need or have to move guys.

PLD to Chicago would be ideal for them. He could do the heavy lifting while Connor plays wing for him for the 1st year. Heck Helly would be ideal for them.

Does it matter if you make deals in your division anymore?

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

They need an entire roster, starting with a goalie. They'd be smart to make a pitch for Helly and Scheif. Unless they are planning a longer term tank.......but I don't think you do that with Bedard.

Scheif is just a hard no.

I don't see Helly having any interest in signing there. It will be a few years before the Latest, Greatest Connor (does he get dubbed BeJesus?) and others start turning this team into a serious contender. Helly wants it all, and he wants it now.

 

[Daximus]

If they are trying to slowly build through the draft and they actually trust the players they have. They probably need to add as early as next in the UFA market but really they should be looking at teams like us that need or have to move guys.

PLD to Chicago would be ideal for them. He could do the heavy lifting while Connor plays wing for him for the 1st year. Heck Helly would be ideal for them.

Does it matter if you make deals in your division anymore?

I doubt Helle has any interest in signing there and I can't see Chicago wanting to add right away. They know they likely won't be good next year and can probably wait a year and see what they have in Bedard before they start loading up.

 

[Romang67]

I think it's gonna be a quick turnaround for Shitcago with Bedard. They have a slew of picks in the first two rounds in this years draft. 1, 20, 35, 44, 52 and 56. Plus another two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders in 2024 and two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders in 2025. So in total that's 14 picks in the top 2 rounds of the drafts over the next 3 years. Which includes what is likely a generational talent.

Despite their recent stink surrounding them they will also likely have little issues in attracting UFA talent once they have Bedard in uniform. Plus they have a slew of decent recent picks in forwards like Frank Nazar, Colton Dach, Lukas Reichel and Ryan Greene. Defencemen like Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Ethan Del Mastro and Alex Vlasic. And at least one high end goalie prospect in Drew Commeso.

They will have a solid foundation to build on with all of those guys and Bedard plus another 13 picks in the top two rounds over the next 3 years.

They probably aren't going to be very good for a little while but there are a lot of big name FA's coming up and they have a lot of cash to spend on top of having a lot of draft capital for picks and trades.

If they even have a decent hit rate with that number of picks and also some top picks, they'll be an exciting team for a couple of years, and then a good team again.

Any chance our scouts can infiltrate them and draft in the 2nd round for them?

 

[Joe Hallenback]

I doubt Helle has any interest in signing there and I can't see Chicago wanting to add right away. They know they likely won't be good next year and can probably wait a year and see what they have in Bedard before they start loading up.

I don't know they have been riding 5 years of mediocrity and this might be the catalyst to start something. They have a ton of cap room and a lot of solid prospects. A solid UFA/RFA scoop and as you said they have all those draft picks coming.

If they were us I would be sitting back doing nothing but how long can you wait for those prospects to get good and what if they don't? Chicago is a premium city and if I was GM I would be taking a hard look at someone like PLD for sure to see if you could get him to help your younger guys coming along.

Helly is a different story as I don't see him wanting to go to a rebuild.

 

[cbcwpg]

I keep asking myself this question, would I be happy with a bottom feeding team for 5+ years? I was a crappy fan on that 2nd half of the season collapse.

It is a good question.

Chicago has missed the playoffs 5 out of the last 6 seasons and the 1 year they made it , it was a technicality because that was the qualifying year. They are 179-219-56 over those 6 seasons. And even landing the 1st pick, it will probably be IMO 3-4 more seasons being on the outside of the playoffs looking in. So potentially a decade missing the playoffs.

 

[surixon]

It is a good question.

Chicago has missed the playoffs 5 out of the last 6 seasons and the 1 year they made it , it was a technicality because that was the qualifying year. They are 179-219-56 over those 6 seasons. And even landing the 1st pick, it will probably be IMO 3-4 more seasons being on the outside of the playoffs looking in. So potentially a decade missing the playoffs.

The issue is they botched the first few years of their build by rushing it trying to trade for now players like Jones.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

My quick top 16 draft

1. Chicago - Bedard
2. Ducks - Fantilli
3. Cbus - Smith
4. Sharks - Carlsson
5. Montreal - Michkov
6. Yotes - Reinbacher(wouldn't shock me to see them move back too)
7. Flyers - Yager
8. Caps - Leonard
9. Detroit - Dvorsky
10. Blues - Benson
11. Nucks - Ritchie
12. Yotes - Sandin Pellikka
13. Buffalo - Moore
14. Penguins - Danielson
15. Preds - Sale
16. Flames - Leonard

 

[Whileee]

If they are trying to slowly build through the draft and they actually trust the players they have. They probably need to add as early as next in the UFA market but really they should be looking at teams like us that need or have to move guys.

PLD to Chicago would be ideal for them. He could do the heavy lifting while Connor plays wing for him for the 1st year. Heck Helly would be ideal for them.

Does it matter if you make deals in your division anymore?

I think PLD to Chicago is an interesting idea, and worth considering.

I'm much less certain that Hellebuyck would be a good fit, considering his interests, age and the Hawks current status.

I thought it was interesting that Habs' GM Hughes indicated that they would take the "best player available" at #5, and look for other ways to fill roster needs. I think the sub-text is that they would consider Michkov (if Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith are gone), and would add a C in a separate deal. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but that made me think that they might still be thinking about Dubois as a long-term answer at C. If so, the big question is whether they will offer up a strong enough trade package to beat other suitors, or whether they are content to take their chances in UFA in 2024.

 

[Whileee]

My quick top 16 draft

1. Chicago - Bedard
2. Ducks - Fantilli
3. Cbus - Smith
4. Sharks - Carlsson
5. Montreal - Michkov
6. Yotes - Reinbacher(wouldn't shock me to see them move back too)
7. Flyers - Yager
8. Caps - Leonard
9. Detroit - Dvorsky
10. Blues - Benson
11. Nucks - Ritchie
12. Yotes - Sandin Pellikka
13. Buffalo - Moore
14. Penguins - Danielson
15. Preds - Sale
16. Flames - Leonard

Thanks, Joe.

For completeness, can we all start producing our top-19 list here, considering the Jets will pick 18 or 19?

The following three are intriguing:

Honzek (seems likely to go in the top-16)
Barlow (McKenzie has him at #11)
Wood (McKenzie has him ranked at #12)

 

[Daximus]

I don't know they have been riding 5 years of mediocrity and this might be the catalyst to start something. They have a ton of cap room and a lot of solid prospects. A solid UFA/RFA scoop and as you said they have all those draft picks coming.

If they were us I would be sitting back doing nothing but how long can you wait for those prospects to get good and what if they don't? Chicago is a premium city and if I was GM I would be taking a hard look at someone like PLD for sure to see if you could get him to help your younger guys coming along.

Helly is a different story as I don't see him wanting to go to a rebuild.

I think you can probably sit back for at least a little while. Almost all of their high end prospects could use more season in junior leagues and anyone they draft outside of Bedard is likely 2+ years away from even being looked at as ready.

Bedard is 18 years old. They have all the time in the world to build a contender there. They don't have to do it in his first season.

 

[ps241]

Huge asset for Chicago that they landed about 3 years early. First world problems I guess, that is why they pay GM's the big bucks.

 

[Daximus]

One kid I lean heavily towards at 18/19 is Lukas Dragicevic. He's a big right shot defencemen 6'2, 190 from Richmond, BC. Excellent transitional defencemen, great skater, poise with the puck, PP QB, great passer with solid vision and is a really good skater. Has some defensive holes in his game and takes a lot of risks with the puck but he's the perfect prototypical modern day defencemen.

Some may say he's a reach at 18/19 but I think he's being slept on a bit.