Prospect Info: The 2023 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[cbcwpg]

Hillier reflects on scouting meetings as Jets prepare for NHL Combine | Winnipeg Jets

"We want to get great character people that will put the work in" -Hillier

www.nhl.com

NHL Combine - which takes place in Buffalo, NY - and runs from June 4-10 with the traditional fitness testing taking place on the final day.

"We all have strong personal opinions and favourite players, but we try to come together to compile, or create, one Jets list that best portrays the collective thoughts and opinions of the staff as a whole," said Hillier, who viewed 275 total games this season. "When we leave these meetings, a lot of the critical work is just starting. We have a lot of fine tuning and follow-ups this week, followed by the Combine next week. We'll meet 75 players there at the Combine. Then the work continues right up until draft day with info gathering, video, and more interviews."

"We want to get great character people that will put the work in, make the dedication to putting that work in on and off the ice, and then we have to see some things that tell us they have some NHL upside in their skill set going forward," said Hillier. "That's how we put our list together."

 

[Whileee]

Hillier mentions that their scouts are in agreement around the top-10, and he expects the Jets to select from the 10-18 segment of their list.

Guessing the "top 10":

Bedard
Fantilli
Carlsson
Smith
Michkov
Dvorsky
Leonard
Benson
Reinbacher
Perreault?

So, what's the next group for the Jets? Some guessing...

Moore
Danielson
Honzek
Barlow
Wood
Yager
Sandin-Pellika

Others?

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Hillier mentions that their scouts are in agreement around the top-10, and he expects the Jets to select from the 10-18 segment of their list.

Guessing the "top 10":

Bedard
Fantilli
Carlsson
Smith
Michkov
Dvorsky
Leonard
Benson
Reinbacher
Perreault?

So, what's the next group for the Jets? Some guessing...

Moore
Danielson
Honzek
Barlow
Wood
Yager
Sandin-Pellika

Others?

I am not sure about Perreault in the top 10 but we will have to wait till we see Mckenzies list. He isn't a good skater, I think he is poorer then Perfetti was at the same age. He is exceptionally skilled and has a real good release and shot so again very Perfetti like. My guess is one of the D like Sandin or the Russian kid could be in the top 10

 

[Whileee]

I am not sure about Perreault in the top 10 but we will have to wait till we see Mckenzies list. He isn't a good skater, I think he is poorer then Perfetti was at the same age. He is exceptionally skilled and has a real good release and shot so again very Perfetti like. My guess is one of the D like Sandin or the Russian kid could be in the top 10

Interesting. McKenzie has Perreault at #9 in his latest, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Jets have him lower.

I kind of think the Jets might be looking at bigger forwards like Wood, Danielson, Ritchie, Barlow, Musty, Honzek, etc. or maybe a RD.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

"We want to get great character people that will put the work in, make the dedication to putting that work in on and off the ice,... " said Hillier.

Well, good to see they're trying something new this year.

 

[Thechozen1]

Well, good to see they're trying something new this year.

I heard one of the interview questions is …

“As a player, how do you feel about these Rick Bowness end of season comments?”

If the comments offend them then they are high on the priority list to draft!

 

[Whileee]

Pronman has a new Mock Draft out (at The Athletic).

He has the Jets taking Colby Barlow.

His list 12-24...

Honzek (12)
But
Perreault
Simashev
Sandin Pellika
Benson
Barlow (18, Wpg)
Moore
Yager
Ritchie
Sale
Stramel
Edstrom (24)

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Barlow is a fast skilled winger with good size. Not very physical but he can score. I think he likely needs to play with a playmaker to be effective. Not sure he has shown that he could be say a bottom 6 guy if he can't score at the NHL level so there is some risk there but he does score

 

[Whileee]

Some buzz over Trotz telling his scouts to "take some swings" on some higher-risk picks, rather than trying to draft players with high floors.

I'm not sure that is all that uncommon in the NHL, especially when teams have multiple picks in the first couple of rounds.

I don't think it's that far off from the Jets' strategy, overall. They have tended to draft for high-end talent, rather than "safe" picks with high floors.

Scheifele, Morrissey, Ehlers, Connor, Perfetti, Lucius, Lambert, etc.

Interestingly, one of their most maligned picks, Logan Stanley, was perhaps an example of taking a big swing (and mostly missing). He was a huge D, developing fast, with good offensive instincts and hands. When they traded up for him, I think they were taking a long-shot bet on a potential Chara, not looking for a big lug for the 3rd pair. There has been some speculation that with Laine in the bag at #2, the Jets were prepared to take a high-risk swing with their second 1st rounder (Stanley).

 

[Whileee]

Barlow is a fast skilled winger with good size. Not very physical but he can score. I think he likely needs to play with a playmaker to be effective. Not sure he has shown that he could be say a bottom 6 guy if he can't score at the NHL level so there is some risk there but he does score

Barlow is intriguing to me. Scoring is such a high-value commodity in the NHL, so if you can get a top scorer it is usually a win. The main problem is if he doesn't make it, he doesn't add anything else. But I suppose a bust is a bust, and better to take the swing on a potential scorer.

But if it plays out the way Pronman has laid out in his most recent mock, I think the Jets might be better to go with Moore, or maybe Ritchie or Yager. Those players seem like potential NHL Cs, with some upside.

Still, Barlow is pretty intriguing.

 

[drumzan]

Hillier reflects on scouting meetings as Jets prepare for NHL Combine | Winnipeg Jets

"We want to get great character people that will put the work in" -Hillier

www.nhl.com

NHL Combine - which takes place in Buffalo, NY - and runs from June 4-10 with the traditional fitness testing taking place on the final day.

"We all have strong personal opinions and favourite players, but we try to come together to compile, or create, one Jets list that best portrays the collective thoughts and opinions of the staff as a whole," said Hillier, who viewed 275 total games this season. "When we leave these meetings, a lot of the critical work is just starting. We have a lot of fine tuning and follow-ups this week, followed by the Combine next week. We'll meet 75 players there at the Combine. Then the work continues right up until draft day with info gathering, video, and more interviews."

"We want to get great character people that will put the work in, make the dedication to putting that work in on and off the ice, and then we have to see some things that tell us they have some NHL upside in their skill set going forward," said Hillier. "That's how we put our list together."

Great character isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

The Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was drafted high by the Miami Dolphins in 1st round. He was heralded as an A+++ character guy. During draft process Minkah went out of his way to mention how he’s versatile and can play multiple positions in the secondary. Well - turns out it was all talk and he didn’t want to be versatile and requested a trade when Miami asked him to do just what he said he was good at. What a jacka$$.

Anyway - guess my point is sometimes we have to take character assessments with a grain of salt. Because even if they’re a great human, committed to fitness and hockey… they may have other motivations that become more of a detriment than an asset.

 

[hockeyarena]

Great character isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

The Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was drafted high by the Miami Dolphins in 1st round. He was heralded as an A+++ character guy. During draft process Minkah went out of his way to mention how he’s versatile and can play multiple positions in the secondary. Well - turns out it was all talk and he didn’t want to be versatile and requested a trade when Miami asked him to do just what he said he was good at. What a jacka$$.

Anyway - guess my point is sometimes we have to take character assessments with a grain of salt. Because even if they’re a great human, committed to fitness and hockey… they may have other motivations that become more of a detriment than an asset.

It's tough to project how tens of millions of dollars will affect even the highest character people...just ask Mark scheifele lol

 

[Whileee]

If the Jets trade Scheifele, I have a feeling that he'll become the Paul Maurice of Jacob Troubas.

 

[John Agar]

If the Jets trade Scheifele, I have a feeling that he'll become the Paul Maurice of Jacob Troubas.

You maybe right...

So what... not to be snide... but enough is enough... off He goes...

I see him as this for the Jets for the last 3 years...

 

[RabidOne]

Some buzz over Trotz telling his scouts to "take some swings" on some higher-risk picks, rather than trying to draft players with high floors.

I'm not sure that is all that uncommon in the NHL, especially when teams have multiple picks in the first couple of rounds.

I don't think it's that far off from the Jets' strategy, overall. They have tended to draft for high-end talent, rather than "safe" picks with high floors.

Scheifele, Morrissey, Ehlers, Connor, Perfetti, Lucius, Lambert, etc.

Interestingly, one of their most maligned picks, Logan Stanley, was perhaps an example of taking a big swing (and mostly missing). He was a huge D, developing fast, with good offensive instincts and hands. When they traded up for him, I think they were taking a long-shot bet on a potential Chara, not looking for a big lug for the 3rd pair. There has been some speculation that with Laine in the bag at #2, the Jets were prepared to take a high-risk swing with their second 1st rounder (Stanley).

Same as last year? They got the guy they wanted with the first pick and took a swing with the 2nd. Gambling that Lambert actually is a good bet to be a top 6 player.

Barlow is intriguing to me. Scoring is such a high-value commodity in the NHL, so if you can get a top scorer it is usually a win. The main problem is if he doesn't make it, he doesn't add anything else. But I suppose a bust is a bust, and better to take the swing on a potential scorer.

But if it plays out the way Pronman has laid out in his most recent mock, I think the Jets might be better to go with Moore, or maybe Ritchie or Yager. Those players seem like potential NHL Cs, with some upside.

Still, Barlow is pretty intriguing.

Maybe once they make all these trades they will be able to draft 2 or 3 of those guys. Or maybe all of them!!

 

[Finnflash]

Was just reading about michkov. Craig Button compared him to Valeri Kharlamov. I never got to watch Kharlamov but I know he performed strong enough agaist Canada the Clarke had to take matters into his hand.

Anyone ever watch Valeri Kharlamov and would he draw comparisons to Michkov?

 

[Thechozen1]

The group of forwards I am intrigued by are

Matthew Wood - Big RW power forward with good hands. Will more than likely go Top 12

Colby Barlow - Scoring LW and okay defensive game. Some questions around skating mechanics, but shouldn’t hinder his ability as a scorer at the next level.

Gavin Brindley - A small scoring RHS wing/centre who is a great skater with a terrific compete level despite his size. He’s a player Jets scouts will be familiar with having played with McGroarty at University of Michigan . Was fourth on team for pts with 36 in 38 games behind Fantilli, Hughes and McGroarty.

David Edstrom - Big strong powerful two way centre with some untapped offensive potential. He skates well has high IQ and is pretty much above average in all facets of the game. Been compared favourably to Eriksson Ek.

Jets getting an additional earliest 1st from the likes of Washington, Buffalo or Pittsburgh or later one from NYR , Carolina or Montreal via Florida would sure go a long way to replenishing the prospect pool with some solid prospects.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

It's tough to project how tens of millions of dollars will affect even the highest character people...just ask Mark scheifele lol

Legit question

Why do people think Scheifele has "character" issues. Same goes with Wheeler. Heard this a lot here and other places with out any real evidence of it. No drug issues, no running out on bills, no sleeping with other players wives/GFs. But it just seems to persist by fans

 

[Joe Hallenback]

The group of forwards I am intrigued by are

Matthew Wood - Big RW power forward with good hands. Will more than likely go Top 12

Colby Barlow - Scoring LW and okay defensive game. Some questions around skating mechanics, but shouldn’t hinder his ability as a scorer at the next level.

Gavin Brindley - A small scoring RHS wing/centre who is a great skater with a terrific compete level despite his size. He’s a player Jets scouts will be familiar with having played with McGroarty at University of Michigan . Was fourth on team for pts with 36 in 38 games behind Fantilli, Hughes and McGroarty.

David Edstrom - Big strong powerful two way centre with some untapped offensive potential. He skates well has high IQ and is pretty much above average in all facets of the game. Been compared favourably to Eriksson Ek.

Jets getting an additional earliest 1st from the likes of Washington, Buffalo or Pittsburgh or later one from NYR , Carolina or Montreal via Florida would sure go a long way to replenishing the prospect pool with some solid prospects.

Woods another guy if he is our spot I would love to get. His size and sill intrigue me a lot, Tage Thompson vibes. Edstrom seems to be rising up too another interesting guy in and around us

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Legit question

Why do people think Scheifele has "character" issues. Same goes with Wheeler. Heard this a lot here and other places with out any real evidence of it. No drug issues, no running out on bills, no sleeping with other players wives/GFs. But it just seems to persist by fans

I don't believe it's character heart or GAF factor with Blake and Mark. It's their leadership style, Blake's specifically that doesn't mesh well with others. Here's what I've heard, wedding socials, couple different guys here, not naming names, former Jets not current. Not big names either, anyways

Mark and Blake thinks everyone should love hockey as much as they do and concentrate on it 24 7 365. Sounds like maybe not a big deal right but, that style only works with ppl for so long, apparently a big thing with Laine was he didn't want to put in as much effort in the off season and that didn't sit well with Mark and Blake.

Bottom line, Blake gives a f***, tries very hard, wants to win and wanted to do it here in Winnipeg. They were building something but part of a team is all the different personalities

It's no coincidence the teams room seemed to start collapsing after 33 left.

He was the middle man really I think to lots of the younger guys at the time.. Laine ehlers Connor Josh etc

 

[Boonk]

Benson and Moore are gone by 15-25 more than likely.

If Willander is still up there I’m running up and grabbing him to slide in behind Salomonsson on RD. I doubt it tho, teams like Vancouver, Buffalo and Nashville will be salivating for RD.

Stenberg, Edstrom or Wood would be good gets at 18 for forwards.

 

[Huffer]

Woods another guy if he is our spot I would love to get. His size and sill intrigue me a lot, Tage Thompson vibes. Edstrom seems to be rising up too another interesting guy in and around us

Wood could be a great pick. I don't know why, but I keep circling back to wanting Danielson there when we pick.

 

[Whileee]

Legit question

Why do people think Scheifele has "character" issues. Same goes with Wheeler. Heard this a lot here and other places with out any real evidence of it. No drug issues, no running out on bills, no sleeping with other players wives/GFs. But it just seems to persist by fans

I think a lot is driven by the local media because Scheifele and Wheeler don't kowtow to some of the local reporters.

If fans and media don't like Scheifele because of his D and occasional long shift, Connor is worse in both areas.

Slumps with indifferent play? Have a look at Dubois' first couple of seasons with the Jets and his spring slump, and the dude has never expressed a strong interest in committing to Winnipeg. At least Scheifele shows up for the playoffs.

Scheifele signed an 8-year value contract, and Wheeler bought a home and settled in Winnipeg.

Game 5 "disgust"? Scheifele wasn't even in the lineup. That was all about Connor, Dubois, Pionk, Ehlers, etc.

 

[lomiller1]

I'm really intrigued by Edstrom, but I worry that I'm viewing him as the prospect I hope he is rather then the one he really is. Does he really have offensive upside in the NHL, or is that just wishful thinking. Hopefully we'll get a better idea when McKenzie's final list comes out.

 

[Whileee]

I don't believe it's character heart or GAF factor with Blake and Mark. It's their leadership style, Blake's specifically that doesn't mesh well with others. Here's what I've heard, wedding socials, couple different guys here, not naming names, former Jets not current. Not big names either, anyways

Mark and Blake thinks everyone should love hockey as much as they do and concentrate on it 24 7 365. Sounds like maybe not a big deal right but, that style only works with ppl for so long, apparently a big thing with Laine was he didn't want to put in as much effort in the off season and that didn't sit well with Mark and Blake.

Bottom line, Blake gives a f***, tries very hard, wants to win and wanted to do it here in Winnipeg. They were building something but part of a team is all the different personalities

It's no coincidence the teams room seemed to start collapsing after 33 left.

He was the middle man really I think to lots of the younger guys at the time.. Laine ehlers Connor Josh etc

So we should get rid of Scheifele because he's too committed to hockey and gets ticked off with players like Laine that like to take summers and practices off?

I'd bet Bergeron lets every young player know if they aren't dedicated. Tkachuk (and his Dad) called out the Panthers.

Seems to me that young players like Perfetti are drawn to a player like Scheifele, moreso than "free spirits" like Laine.

But I guess we really don't know what goes on in the locker room. Bowness, Arniel and Chevy probably have a handle on it. At least, they'd better...