2023 NHL Draft Thread

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I still think Benson gets picked first, and there's not a lot separating the two- both are deadly offensive weapons, and good 200-ft players, and Benson was heading towards an 110 point season had he played a full slate of games. I just think Benson had a little more to work with on a stacked Winnipeg team, where perhaps Heidt propped up his teammates a bit more. Heidt is bigger, more feisty, and a bit faster IMO.

I've seen a lot of Benson comparable's as Gaudreau which is interesting, I know Benson is 5'9 or so which would make sense. Not a lot of small guys have been able to turn into Johnny though, it would almost make sense to go with the bigger/faster Heidt if their that close in comparison.

[Tkachukwagon]

I can see the Flames trading down this year to recoup another second or a third rounder, depending on who is available at 16. Seems to be Calgary's MO, like in 2020 when the Flames traded down twice to pick up Zary.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Tkachukwagon

I can see the Flames trading down this year to recoup another second or a third rounder, depending on who is available at 16. Seems to be Calgary's MO, like in 2020 when the Flames traded down twice to pick up Zary.

You would think a new GM will think differently, maybe not. Best player available is the way they should go on this one.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

You would think a new GM will think differently, maybe not. Best player available is the way they should go on this one.

Except at a certain point player expectations on any list are in groups - there's no clearly superior player, especially when dealing with so many minor leagues/college/Euro etc.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Sandman, for some reason when I think about Sale as a Flames pick I get Sven vibes....anything to that or do you see anything similar?
By that I mean a skilled guy, with consistency issues. The type of guy that slips into the teens but with some risk.

[Monahammer]

I have watched very, very few Sale clips, but the story surrounding him reminds me heavily of Pastranak. Early on looked as a top 5 maybe pick, but competing at the top level of a lesser league has people a little confused on where his ultimate skill level may be. No idea if Sale can turn it on like Pasta, but it is heavily reminiscent for me.

[Monahammer]

Unimportant side note, but how would one pronounce that name? I am assuming it is similar to "Chalet" instead of "Sale"

[Rick M.]

Pasta had a back injury in his draft year, causing him to be taken lower.

[PaperBagger'14]

I'd be ok seeing Bedard go to Philly, Montreal, Detroit, Arizona, St Louis, or Washington. The pacific division really doesn't need a generational talent...again... and I'd greatly prefer Johnny Hockey to wade through 10 miles of horse crap instead of playing with Bedard. And no thanks to Chicago, maybe don't reward terrible franchises with generational players. Mind you Edmonton exists but still, no thanks.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I'd be ok seeing Bedard go to Philly, Montreal, Detroit, Arizona, St Louis, or Washington. The pacific division really doesn't need a generational talent...again... and I'd greatly prefer Johnny Hockey to wade through 10 miles of horse crap instead of playing with Bedard. And no thanks to Chicago, maybe don't reward terrible franchises with generational players. Mind you Edmonton exists but still, no thanks.

No. Not Montreal.

Detroit and Philly would be good, fair, **EC and American** destinations.

Jesus. No one should be fine with bedard coming near the quebecois franchise.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Unimportant side note, but how would one pronounce that name? I am assuming it is similar to "Chalet" instead of "Sale"

To bad he isn't Swiss.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

No. Not Montreal.

Detroit and Philly would be good, fair, **EC and American** destinations.

Jesus. No one should be fine with bedard coming near the quebecois franchise.

Meh Montreal keeps him out east, short of a cup finals of Flames VS Canadiens he would only be in Calgary 1 night a year. That's a win in my books.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by cral12

Thanks gang - to easily find (mostly) Sandman's collection of profiles on Upside Hockey website, I've also added the link to that on the original post in this thread.

I'll keep trying to add to them as they come in!

quick favour if you enjoy Upside's Rankings AND Sandman's awesome profiles - no obligation of course (and absolutely no worries if yah don;t), but if you're on Reddit, would be great for exposure to get an upvote on this thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comm...pect_profiles/

(everything we do is free - just attempt to increase exposure a bit and Reddit can certainly help with this)

Cheers and thanks

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Sandman, for some reason when I think about Sale as a Flames pick I get Sven vibes....anything to that or do you see anything similar?
By that I mean a skilled guy, with consistency issues. The type of guy that slips into the teens but with some risk.

Situationally, that's an apt description. I see Sven (or saw Sven) as being a top-flight offensive player that had those consistency issues, and had trouble playing a two-way game. Stylistically, they are different in a few ways. I read an article a few months ago that compared Sale to Taylor Hall, and that's all I would see when I watched him play in the U-18's. I just think that comparison is so on the nose- Sale plays a fairly simple game, built around his speed, with not much flash, but with deadly effectiveness. One would think from watching him that he's pure goal-scorer, as he shoots a lot, but his offense is more balanced between scoring and passing. Both Hall and Sale are 6'1",and have similar skating strides. Both players don't mind getting their noses dirty when needed either- which I believe was one of Sven's issues, as well as his defensive game, which is an area in need of improvement for Sale, although Sale still actually shows up in his own end. Just my opinion, of course.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Unimportant side note, but how would one pronounce that name? I am assuming it is similar to "Chalet" instead of "Sale"

The commentators pronounced his name SHAH-lah.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I've seen a lot of Benson comparable's as Gaudreau which is interesting, I know Benson is 5'9 or so which would make sense. Not a lot of small guys have been able to turn into Johnny though, it would almost make sense to go with the bigger/faster Heidt if their that close in comparison.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly, although I'm certainly not a pro scout, lol.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

No. Not Montreal.

Detroit and Philly would be good, fair, **EC and American** destinations.

Jesus. No one should be fine with bedard coming near the quebecois franchise.

One more star in Canada gives SN another to focus on. Might reduce the McDavid nonsense by 5%. That would be a win.

[Yamer]

The hockey fan in me says it would be nice to watch Bedard play more if he's drafted into the Flames' division.

The Flames fan in me says get bent you moronic "hockey fan", anyone but Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver, or Columbus.

[Toonage]

Lmao asking Dallas Eakins who he’d like to see Bedard go to

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Yamer

The hockey fan in me says it would be nice to watch Bedard play more if he's drafted into the Flames' division.

The Flames fan in me says get bent you moronic "hockey fan", anyone but Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver, or Columbus.

I just want the 6th overall lol