2023 NHL Draft Thread

[Royle9]

Outside of Bedard which is obviously a lock for franchise player, I really think Smith is going to be the consensus #2 guy a few years from now. The kid just does it all and at an unreal level.

Wish we could land him.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

If we could win the 0.5% chance lottery and move up to 6th, and have a chance at Michkov... well that would soothe a lot of the pain we've all dealt with.

It is my living dream.

[Enoch Root]

The Flames need to make a solid pick - taking a flyer on a Russian who won't come over for years, appears to be intertwined with bad people, and may never come over at all, is exactly the opposite of what they need right now.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Bob's latest ranking is out too.
Big move is Smith into #3.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/plenty-of-int...king-1.1956585

12 player list that doesn't include Sale, Cristall, Sandin-Pellikka or Yager. This draft is deep

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Flames need to make a solid pick - taking a flyer on a Russian who won't come over for years, appears to be intertwined with bad people, and may never come over at all, is exactly the opposite of what they need right now.

I tend to agree, and there will be some teams picking early that agree with you, too. The current situation in the world in regards to the Russian war in Ukraine, and their views on the West are only escalating, and there’s the Ivan Fedotov affair.

I also wonder about the Nichushkin thing, and after hearing about an overdosing Ukrainian girl in his hotel room, who had her passport stolen, I wonder if the Russian mob is trying to frame him or something….

[Royle9]

Yep the latest on Nichushkin drama has me completely ignoring any Russian born player not already in NA.

That whole situation screams setup/frame and something you don’t want to get involved with. Surprised Yager has fallen out so far, looks like people are pretty hard on his offensive game and lack of production even though he put up 78pts but 50 of those assists.

I think my order right now including dream scenario unfolding:

Smith
Carlson
Perrault
Leonard
Wood
Barlow

[FlamesAddiction]

In the dream scenario where the Flames won the lottery, I’d look at trading down a couple of spots with a team that wants Michkov badly. It would be found money anyway. There is online speculation that the Habs will take him he he falls to them.

How hilarious would that be if the Flames finally won the lottery and it only results in 6th overall.

[Sandman]

Carlsson is tied for the 10th best Season for a player under 19 in SHL history. That, and he’s a 6’3” center.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Carlsson is tied for the 10th best Season for a player under 19 in SHL history. That, and he’s a 6’3” center.

Where would you rank Carlsson had he been in last year's draft?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Where would you rank Carlsson had he been in last year's draft?

First overall, baby!

[Royle9]

I could see Carlsson going 2nd.
No way he drops out of the top 3

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Sandman

First overall, baby!

Here's an interesting question.
Of Carlsson, Smith and Fantelli which would have gone 1st overall last year.

I think all 3.
And Michkov would to absent the Russia concerns.

So that's what makes this draft special. I would argue the top 5 would go first overall in the last 2 drafts (can debate if Power would slide in there somewhere).

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I could see Carlsson going 2nd.
No way he drops out of the top 3

I would be surprised if he goes ahead of Fantilli.

[Royle9]

I could see Columbus going Carlsson if they don’t win 1st o/a.
Jarmo likes his euros

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Here's an interesting question.
Of Carlsson, Smith and Fantelli which would have gone 1st overall last year.

I think all 3.
And Michkov would to absent the Russia concerns.

So that's what makes this draft special. I would argue the top 5 would go first overall in the last 2 drafts (can debate if Power would slide in there somewhere).

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I would be surprised if he goes ahead of Fantilli.

Agreed on all points.

[Sandman]

I think Slafkovsky was a bit overrated last year, and was picked high based on his WC performance. He’ll be good, but a bit more of a complimentary player. They will one day regret not taking Cooley, Nemec, or Jiricek-all of whom will be big stars, IMO.

Not sure what to think of Shane Wright at this point, but I’m guessing he just needs an attitude adjustment.

[dammage79]

Yeah this top 6 is nuts this year. Then all the way down to 17 you're still looking at top 10 picks in other drafts. It's deep in terms of quality.

[1qqaaz]

I wouldn't be surprised if the draft order ends up being completely wild after the top 4 or so. Someone ranked #17 will go #7, and someone ranked #8 will go 15th.

Then many of us here will be disappointed when the Flames don't pick the surprise fallers.

Andrew Cristall, with a crazy 95 points in 54 WHL games, is ranked between #6 (Hockey News) and #18 (TSN), depending on the source.

Colby Barlow, with 79 points in 59 OHL games, is ranked #7 by TSN, and #22 by Dobber Prospects. SMAHT Scouting has him at #32.

Nate Danielson, with 78 points in 68 WHL games, is ranked #8 by McKeen's and #23 by the Hockey News.

Ryan Leonard, 94 points in 57 USDP games, is ranked #7 by Sportsnet and Eliteprospects, and #25 by FC hockey.

No one has Michkov outside the top 4, but we wouldn't be surprised to see him fall.

Gabe Perreault, 132 points in 63 USDP games and 45 points in 23 USHL games, is ranked #11 by TSN (Button), and #23 by TSN (McKenzie).

Matthew Wood, 34 points in 35 NCAA games, is ranked #14 by McKenzie, and #33 by DobberProspects.

Perhaps the biggest wildcard, Dmitri Simashev, a defenseman with 10 points in 29 MHL games, is ranked #9 by DobberProspects and #37 by FC Hockey. Draft Prospects Hockey has him at #72.

For the record, I'd be content with any of these guys.
The Flames will surely have the opportunity to draft a good player. I just don't think he should go crazy if the Flames pass on someone ranked high that is still on the board. At least one of these guys will fall all the way to the 2nd round. Teams with multiple picks are in a good chance to make a splash.

[traptor]

It's a primo year to try and snag another 1st or some more 2nds.

I hope they seriously evaluate which UFAs they're planning to re-sign and try and flip the ones they aren't before the draft.

My worry is, in typical flames fashion, they'll miss that opportunity.

It'll be tight to the point of unrealistic with having to bring in a GM, get them situated, have them figure out whose staying andhave them negotiate potential trades before the deadline.

Based in the flames cap situation someone HAS to be moved, so hopefully they get it done before this draft.

[Naitix]

Just watched Will Smith U18 goals/assists and wow he is good. He hands are like magic and he just looks so smooth out there, and I think I have read he has high game sense too.
What a good year to tank