With the 14th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins select…

[Malkinstheman]

Based solely on stats im really surprised that Wood isnt considered a sure fire top-10 pick. He put up nearly PPG as a 17 year old in the NCAA and is 6'4 on top of that. Is the draft really that good or does he have some warts in his game?

 

[SomeDude]

Based solely on stats im really surprised that Wood isnt considered a sure fire top-10 pick. He put up nearly PPG as a 17 year old in the NCAA and is 6'4 on top of that. Is the draft really that good or does he have some warts in his game?

This draft is really good. I would say there are about 20-25 guys that would be top 10 on any given year.

 

[Offtheboard412]

Based solely on stats im really surprised that Wood isnt considered a sure fire top-10 pick. He put up nearly PPG as a 17 year old in the NCAA and is 6'4 on top of that. Is the draft really that good or does he have some warts in his game?

He's a really bad skater. Like awful. I still like him though I think he has big time upside if he pans out.

 

[Andy99]

I wouldn’t take anyone at #14 with skating problems…we’ve done that too many times with first round picks…needs to be a good skater, high IQ, good offensive skill…

 

[Ulf5]

depending on who's there, i still want a rd or a center with the most upside. and if rumors are true that there could be a run-on defenseman then a very good player could fall into our lap.

There seem to be only 4-5 first round worthy D this year. Hopefully a couple teams draft for need and take the D early causing some top-10 forwards to drop.

I hope so. I don't want no 5' 5" OFD lol.

 

[deakka]

Pronman has us taking Benson in his mock draft at the athletic. that would be absolutely awesome. But I really doubt he will still be on the board.

 

[Andy99]

Pronman has us taking Benson in his mock draft at the athletic. that would be absolutely awesome. But I really doubt he will still be on the board.

That would be a dream and he could even play right away…this is more what I expect and in this case, I would hope they could trade down or trade the pick lol…if forced to pick, I’d take Sandin Pellikka over this guy lol…

2023 NHL Mock draft

Getting ready for the next next next one

www.pensburgh.com

 

[Ogelthorpe]

I just can’t see them taking Wood when all Sully has been talking about is “speed”

 

[Jacob]

I really like Wood even despite his skating. He's slippery, and a bigger, lanky guy like him probably has more room to improve his skating than others.

 

[Andy99]

I really like Wood even despite his skating. He's slippery, and a bigger, lanky guy like him probably has more room to improve his skating than others.

We always say that, we said that about Poulin…you can only do so much…if he was a center, it wouldn’t be as big a deal but under Sullivan the wingers have to be fleet of foot and play fast

 

[Peat]

We always say that, we said that about Poulin…you can only do so much…if he was a center, it wouldn’t be as big a deal but under Sullivan the wingers have to be fleet of foot and play fast

Patric Hornqvist laughs in your general direction.

Also Poulin was doing great before the mental health issues hit.

 

[Andy99]

Patric Hornqvist laughs in your general direction.

Also Poulin was doing great before the mental health issues hit.

Hornqvist was a seventh round pick…there’s certainly players who can be successful in the NHL without good speed or who have skating issues but they shouldn’t be picked #14 overall lol

 

[SomeDude]

I feel like skating may actually be one of the easier things to fix. It's usually mechanics. I'd rather take a shot on a smart skilled player that needs to work on his stride than a figure skater with hockey IQ issues.

 

[Andy99]

I feel like skating may actually be one of the easier things to fix. It's usually mechanics. I'd rather take a shot on a smart skilled player that needs to work on his stride than a figure skater with hockey IQ issues.

No hockey IQ issues either… skating and IQ to me are nonnegotiable…when you’re picking that high you should be able to get a good combo of both…there are few players who really improve their skating…can make slight improvements but if it’s a weakness it’s not going to improve that much…Poulin had that knock, still hasn’t gotten to NHL “speed” in skating or thinking and is probably not going to be a top six player as a result…you don’t want to pick someone who’s ceiling is bottom six
player with your first round pick

 

[SomeDude]

No hockey IQ issues either… skating and IQ to me are nonnegotiable…when you’re picking that high you should be able to get a good combo of both…there are few players who really improve their skating…can make slight improvements but if it’s a weakness it’s not going to improve that much…Poulin had that knock, still hasn’t gotten to NHL “speed” in skating or thinking and is probably not going to be a top six player as a result…you don’t want to pick someone who’s ceiling is bottom six
player with your first round pick

I think most of the time skating issues are overblown. They have to find weaknesses to critique players and it's either "needs to work on skating" or "seems disinterested at times."

I think being afraid of players that may have some things to work on when drafted is how you get "safe" picks and end up with Eric Fehr and Mike Rupp as 1st round picks. NHL players, but non-impactful.

 

[Andy99]

I think most of the time skating issues are overblown. They have to find weaknesses to critique players and it's either "needs to work on skating" or "seems disinterested at times."

I think being afraid of players that may have some things to work on when drafted is how you get "safe" picks and end up with Eric Fehr and Mike Rupp as 1st round picks. NHL players, but non-impactful.

Maybe on it’s a made up weakness…have to trust the scouts but every player has something to work on…you want to project them as top six or top 4 players..we should be selecting players who need to work on defense or effort/consistency…working on skating usually means a much longer time of making the NHL and less likely they’ll play in your top six if they’re a forward in particular…we should be taking at least good if not exceptional skaters, strong hockey IQ and a dynamic offensive player…don’t worry about size or position…if we don’t see anyone like that at 14, trade down

 

[SomeDude]

Bob McKenzie is releasing his final rankings right now.

Sandin Pellikka is #14 on his list.

 

[BusinessGoose]

I dunno about skating

But the time your turning pro, you are pretty much set in your ability there

With enough dedication, any skill can be improved upon, but be realistic

Pettersson still hasn't gained a single pound

 

[The Old Master]

I feel like skating may actually be one of the easier things to fix. It's usually mechanics. I'd rather take a shot on a smart skilled player that needs to work on his stride than a figure skater with hockey IQ issues.

shouldn't need to at 14

 

[SomeDude]

shouldn't need to at 14

This year, no, but most drafts there are usually flaws with every prospect outside of the top tier.

 

[Lust for Life]

Ranked 90 (our second pick) in Bobbys draft is a dude named Brady Cleveland, a big defenseman from the USNTDP program who is going to NCAA (Univ of Wisconsin).

If there's a more Penguin pick I don't know what is

 

[The Old Master]

Pettersson still hasn't gained a single pound

that's my biggest question, i guess if you know the parents, you could have a safe guess.

 

[Jacob]

People should watch Wood.. I really don't think he's slow. When you're 6'3" you don't need to skate like Marty St. Louis.

 

[Peat]

Hornqvist was a seventh round pick…there’s certainly players who can be successful in the NHL without good speed or who have skating issues but they shouldn’t be picked #14 overall lol

There are guys going top 15 every year that have skating listed as an area of improvement. Draisaitl is no burner to pick one. Last year Connor Geekie and Rutger McGroarty both went top 15 with skating concerns.

Fair enough you got your priorities but it's very common for guys to get picked high with skating issues and succeed. It's not my favoured profile either but it's not the kiss of death.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Going all speed all the time over the years (or supposedly this has been the plan) hasn't always panned out for the Penguins, anyway. Turns out terrific straight-ahead speed but no hands or brains doesn't get you much.