Prospect Info: The 2023 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[Daximus]

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.

Edstrom is an interesting case. All the tools are there. Size, two way play, bit of a power forward game, premium position. Absolutely massive ceiling if he keeps improving but he's also lacking a certain something and needs to get bigger to really assert his game at the NHL level. He's sort of a jack of all trades, master of none type of player. He can do a little bit of everything but nothing about his game is truly elite yet.

I think in the middle of his projection he could be a Lowry like player. Bottom 9 C who you ideally want on your 3rd line holding down the fort and providing you responsible all minutes play while chipping in some offence. His ceiling is sky high and it's really hard to know if he has the work ethic and dedication to hit it.

 

[SUX2BU]

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.

Yeah, he could grow a better play off beard than Heinola or Perfetti …..

Seriously, he brings a tangible that is needed and that is leadership (from the story on TSN site today)

 

[RabidOne]

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

Great question.
From my perspective it would have a lot to do with a few comments from him. The most recent one this season being that his game was all about looking to slow that game down and not doing what the coach asked. There has been a couple like that in the last 3 years.
I was all aboard the Scheiffle train when they played Vegas in the Conference final. This was the guy that elevated his game in the playoffs. Since then his game has changed. Not the 200’ player he was in that playoff. Lots of waving his stick for defence. And a comment equating less physicality with a longer career.

 

[Whileee]

Jets' management at Richardson International today... probably en route to Buffalo for the Combine.

 

[MardyBum]

@Hunter368

"When a player moves so quickly, he needs to be able to think quickly, and Moore is no exception. When he has the puck, he can identify exactly where he needs to put it to create a scoring chance. He’s not the greatest puck handler, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up 36 assists with the Development Team, the third-highest total on the team behind Will Smith and Gabe Perrault. That’s because, no matter where he is on the ice, he works as hard as he can to boost his team. Even on defence, he gives it all, which can’t be said about every top young forward, especially those under six feet. But Moore has done more than enough to establish himself as a top prospect in the 2023 NHL Draft."


"Moore is the second most involved player in offensive transitions in North America behind Connor Bedard. He’s sending almost a quarter of his passes to dangerous areas of the ice, and is among the higher-end shot generators in the class. Put this with his superb skating and edgework, dogged mentality of being hard on pucks defensively, and his puck skill: Moore has risen to the top 10 of our rankings and still could climb higher. I’d like to see him carry the puck into the dangerous areas of the ice in the offensive zone and not just on the rush, but he’s been showcasing his offensive acumen the last few months.” – Austin Garret, Smaht Scouting

“I don’t see a lot to nitpick in either his tools or his approach. More and more his game has shown dimension inside the offensive zone so that he can make things happen shift after shift out of all of his effort plays up and under sticks. He just has a unique ability to impose his will on the game. And while his game is bullish, he’s also got surprising soft skill. I’m not sure he has the star power of the names in front of him here, but he’s got some unique attributes in this class and he’s going to make a heck of an NHL player” – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic (from “2023 NHL Draft top 64 prospects: Scott Wheeler’s March ranking,” The Athletic – 01/03/23

Seeing your post in the trade thread made me want to pump his tires.

 

[rkp]

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

well he did sued by his chef for non payment!!!

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...

who the hell gets to tell mark about his dfence play!!??..wheeler??..lol

 

[Whileee]

well he did sued by his chef for non payment!!!


who the hell gets to tell mark about his dfence play!!??..wheeler??..lol

Same person that has to tell Connor of his defense, which is worse than Scheifele's. Remember, it was Connor and Dubois that were complete ghosts defensively in the Vegas game 5.

 

[surixon]

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...

While there is truth to this I do think different leadership styles work better for different personality types. The Blake and Mark school of leadership isn't for everyone and that is ok. You just need to have a room that has different personality types in leadership roles. I do think Buff brought a different style when he was here and I think his style resonated with some better, ditto with Little although I think JoMo has likely taken over Little's role in the room.

As far as Mark is concerned it's more about his commitment to the team and city for me. Given some of his interviews and other things over the past years I think it's fair to question if his heart is still into being a Jet. If we are going to sign him to a massive retirement deal he needs to be all in imo.

 

[surixon]

Barlow is definitely intriguing. Pure one shot scorer with good top speed and acceleration. Would likely work quite well on a line with Perfettti. Seems like he's already a captain and plays on the pk so has some leadership as well.

 

[surixon]

Wheeler just posted his top 100 list:

Guys like Barlow, Ritchie, Danielson in our pick range according to him.

https://theathletic.com/4575346/2023/06/05/nhl-draft-2023-ranking-wheeler?source=user-shared-article

 

[JetsFan815]

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...

100%. If you wanna have guys who are a "problem" in the locker room, I'd take "problem" guys who care too much about hockey any day over any other type of problem. Also from what has been reported MacKinnon's leadership style is very similar to this as well yet that team bought in and won a cup.

The only issue I see with them is that they are probably no longer able to back up their style with 2-way performance on ice, (Scheifele because some where in 2018 or 2019 he forgot how to play defense and Wheeler because age has caught up with him) which might create issues with other guys.

I don't think anyone would be happy if Laine was setting an example for the rest of the team- a guy who gets by purely on talent and him having that god's gift of a shot and whose game hasn't progressed since his d+2 season. Following Laine's example is not a recipe for success for most NHL players.

 

[hockeyarena]

"Scheifele is too committed to hockey" lol guess u don't watch the games.

 

[Bigfish]

100%. If you wanna have guys who are a "problem" in the locker room, I'd take "problem" guys who care too much about hockey any day over any other type of problem. Also from what has been reported MacKinnon's leadership style is very similar to this as well yet that team bought in and won a cup.

The only issue I see with them is that they are probably no longer able to back up their style with 2-way performance on ice, (Scheifele because some where in 2018 or 2019 he forgot how to play defense and Wheeler because age has caught up with him) which might create issues with other guys.

I don't think anyone would be happy if Laine was setting an example for the rest of the team- a guy who gets by purely on talent and him having that god's gift of a shot and whose game hasn't progressed since his d+2 season. Following Laine's example is not a recipe for success for most NHL players.

Yeah, you don't want a kid who scored 44 goals in a season setting an example for the rest of the team, you want a guy who they stripped of the C, i guess because he cared too much about hockey, setting the example.

 

[tbcwpg]

Yeah, you don't want a kid who scored 44 goals in a season setting an example for the rest of the team, you want a guy who they stripped of the C, i guess because he cared too much about hockey, setting the example.

I don't want either setting the example.

 

[DRW204]

What are folks thoughts on Charlie Stramel?

I remember him getting hype in 21-22 on USNTDP. did play with Rutger on a line too as his centre. Haven't really followed the prospects much this year but seeing he's around a late 1st.

 

[None]

Wheeler just posted his top 100 list:

Guys like Barlow, Ritchie, Danielson in our pick range according to him.

https://theathletic.com/4575346/2023/06/05/nhl-draft-2023-ranking-wheeler?source=user-shared-article

Much higher (13th) on Cristall than Pronman (68th) but still expects him to fall past his own ranking:

He’s going to be picked lower than this on the basis of his size, position and skating, but I won’t be surprised if he becomes one of the more productive players to emerge from this draft class. His skill, touch, problem-solving and spatial awareness are legitimately high end. I expect that teams will place too much emphasis on his four games against Seattle in the first round plus his slow start at U18 worlds, and the team that strikes in the late first may well benefit.

Also considers Cristall in his 3rd tier of prospects that starts at #6 with Zach Benson and ends at 16th with Axel Sandin Pellikka. Barlow, Ritchie and Danielson are early in his tier 4 starting at #17.

 

[Finnflash]

What are folks thoughts on Charlie Stramel?

I remember him getting hype in 21-22 on USNTDP. did play with Rutger on a line too as his centre. Haven't really followed the prospects much this year but seeing he's around a late 1st.

He’s on my radar. Hopefully we pick up an early second round and he’s there.

 

[DRW204]

He’s on my radar. Hopefully we pick up an early second round and he’s there.

I was thinking if we somehow got another 1st in the 20s. Obviously depends who's on the board, if any fallers. They'd probably have tons of viewing from him in 21-22

 

[Whileee]

100%. If you wanna have guys who are a "problem" in the locker room, I'd take "problem" guys who care too much about hockey any day over any other type of problem. Also from what has been reported MacKinnon's leadership style is very similar to this as well yet that team bought in and won a cup.

The only issue I see with them is that they are probably no longer able to back up their style with 2-way performance on ice, (Scheifele because some where in 2018 or 2019 he forgot how to play defense and Wheeler because age has caught up with him) which might create issues with other guys.

I don't think anyone would be happy if Laine was setting an example for the rest of the team- a guy who gets by purely on talent and him having that god's gift of a shot and whose game hasn't progressed since his d+2 season. Following Laine's example is not a recipe for success for most NHL players.

MacKinnon's adjusted on-ice shot metrics from 2021-22. His defensive shot metrics were not stellar.

I can understand the sentiments for moving Scheifele, but his consistent offense will be hard to replace.

 

[surixon]

Much higher (13th) on Cristall than Pronman (68th) but still expects him to fall past his own ranking:



Also considers Cristall in his 3rd tier of prospects that starts at #6 with Zach Benson and ends at 16th with Axel Sandin Pellikka. Barlow, Ritchie and Danielson are early in his tier 4 starting at #17.

Cristall seems like the prototypical Jet type player. High skill level coupled with high hockey IQ. If we get multiple firsts I'd be ok taking him with one.

 

[None]

Cristall seems like the prototypical Jet type player. High skill level coupled with high hockey IQ. If we get multiple firsts I'd be ok taking him with one.

Yeah, I think the Jets scouting staff doesn't get too held up by perceived skating issues. I do think that they (over?)value performance at short tournaments though and his 6 points in 7 games at the U18s was behind Wood (10th in Wheeler's ranking) and Ritchie (19th) and of course '24 draft eligible Celebrini.

 

[surixon]

Yeah, I think the Jets scouting staff doesn't get too held up by perceived skating issues. I do think that they (over?)value performance at short tournaments though and his 6 points in 7 games at the U18s was behind Wood (10th in Wheeler's ranking) and Ritchie (19th) and of course '24 draft eligible Celebrini.

To be fair I believe the three who finished ahead of him all played on the same line.

But they do seem to like U18 performance. All of Scheifele, JoMo, Perfetti, McGroarty dominated at the U18 level in their draft year.

 

[sipowicz]

Jets' management at Richardson International today... probably en route to Buffalo for the Combine.

Did Cottagldayoff accompany them?

 

[Whileee]

Did Cottagldayoff accompany them?

Yup. With Zinger and Roy (I think).

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Yup. With Zinger and Roy (I think).

Oh no not the equipment manager and career minor league plug