2023 NHL Draft Thread

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by 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.

Totally agree
My top 2 last year was Cooley and Nemec. But Jiricek had a great d+1 year

[Teroy]

Nate Danielson,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yes

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Totally agree
My top 2 last year was Cooley and Nemec. But Jiricek had a great d+1 year

Yeah, who knew he would be that good at 18. He’s gonna be a stud.

[cral12]

Upside Hockey 2023 NHL Draft Early Rankings - Lottery Edition - Top 224

We'd like to this is the most comprehensive free draft resource/spreadsheet on the planet ; )

Link:
bit.ly/upside2023nhldraft

[Badgers Nose]

What are the odds of either Danielson or Ritchie cracking an NHL roster like the Flames next season, particularly if Backlund and Lindholm are gone?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

What are the odds of either Danielson or Ritchie cracking an NHL roster like the Flames next season, particularly if Backlund and Lindholm are gone?

I would think Danielson has a better shot, as he has the skating and plays a pro style game. I think Ritchie has been underrated due to his offensive production, though.

You never know though, if guys like Monahan and Sillinger ( just off the top of my head) can make an NHL roster in their D+1, there’s quite a few in this draft that will have a shot- even though the 2 examples I used were playing for lower teams. Just my opinion.

[fotze2]

My kids first bantam game ever, against Red Deer, bloody Danielson just destroys my kid in the corner 5 mins into the game. He never got hit like that again.

He’s a mean drink. Very northsouth.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Royle9

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

Yes, possible, but he also selected Pierre Luc Dubois when everyone thought he would select Jesse "Pool Party" Puljujarvi...

[Canada 02]

Sportsnet Jason Bukala's top 60 prospects.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...023-nhl-draft/

[Mephisto]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Sportsnet Jason Bukala's top 60 prospects.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...023-nhl-draft/

Thanks for this. If Moore, Danielson, and Yager are still available around the Flames pick that would be great.

[Royle9]

Never a fan of Bukalas hot takes, I know he’s an ex scout but of all the lists, this guys is always dud.

[White Out 403]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1654940162164420608

I don't know where else to put this, but, it's so exciting a rumour I have to share it. This is the same guy who leaked the SJ jerseys so he has credibility.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Button has the Flames looking at Yager, Danielson and Honzek.
Will certainly be a good player at 16. Really curious where the D men shake out. I think Centre should be the focus, but always BPA, so I am really open to pretty much anything in the first round (except a goalie,lol)

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by White Out 403

https://twitter.com/user/status/1654940162164420608

I don't know where else to put this, but, it's so exciting a rumour I have to share it. This is the same guy who leaked the SJ jerseys so he has credibility.

I am like a coiled spring...

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Never a fan of Bukalas hot takes, I know he’s an ex scout but of all the lists, this guys is always dud.

I do find the rankings to be rather odd.

Everything I've seen ranks Danielson as one of, if not thee, strongest skater in the draft.
Yet Bukalas gives him 7/10s for skating. Bedard doesn't have 10s in anything except goal scoring and PP points, which are just basic stats.

He's very low on Cristall, almost as if it were a miracle that Cristall performed well at all.

But the rankings themselves seem fine compared to what I've seen.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Button has the Flames looking at Yager, Danielson and Honzek.
Will certainly be a good player at 16. Really curious where the D men shake out. I think Centre should be the focus, but always BPA, so I am really open to pretty much anything in the first round (except a goalie,lol)

I'd be ecstatic with Yager or Danielson. Don't know much about Honzek

[dammage79]

Can't wait till the lottery is over tomorrow so I know who I can really dig into prospect wise. I've been a patient draft junkie, it's time.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'd be ecstatic with Yager or Danielson. Don't know much about Honzek

Honzek is a 6’4” LW who moves very well for a big man, and put up 56 points in 43 games, even more impressive is that he had those numbers playing on the second-worst offensive team in the WHL, in the Vancouver Giants. Last season, in his D-minus-one year as a 16/17 year-old, he was 4th in scoring for U-18 players in Slovakia’s top-tier men’s league, just behind Montreal first-rounder, Filip Mesar. Very underrated, I think mostly because he missed a big chunk of the season, due to an injury suffered at the WJC. Plays a simple game, can handle the rough going, and can dish out the physicality at times too. Uses his size in battles, and to bull his way through traffic. Very good shot, highly skilled, and he’s been called a goal-scorer, but he has a well balanced offensive game. Weaknesses are his consistency in effort, and he could use some upgrades to his skating and defensive game. For the majority of the year, he was ranked in the top-15, but he’s now lingering around the 20’s, due to the injury and time missed I believe, but he could end up being a steal, and I certainly wouldn’t mind taking him with our pick.

[serratedmuffin]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Honzek is a 6’4” LW who moves very well for a big man, and put up 56 points in 43 games, even more impressive is that he had those numbers playing on the second-worst offensive team in the WHL, in the Vancouver Giants. Last season, in his D-minus-one year as a 16/17 year-old, he was 4th in scoring for U-18 players in Slovakia’s top-tier men’s league, just behind Montreal first-rounder, Filip Mesar. Very underrated, I think mostly because he missed a big chunk of the season, due to an injury suffered at the WJC. Plays a simple game, can handle the rough going, and can dish out the physicality at times too. Uses his size in battles, and to bull his way through traffic. Very good shot, highly skilled, and he’s been called a goal-scorer, but he has a well balanced offensive game. Weaknesses are his consistency in effort, and he could use some upgrades to his skating and defensive game. For the majority of the year, he was ranked in the top-15, but he’s now lingering around the 20’s, due to the injury and time missed I believe, but he could end up being a steal, and I certainly wouldn’t mind taking him with our pick.

I could be wrong but I thought he played center near the end of the year. Any chance he can stick at center or is LW his only position in the future?

[cral12]

One word, as Peter Loubardias would say, "look out".

Talked with CP's outstanding residential NHL draft specialist Sandman and I've put together his awesome prospect profiles (so far) on our website - Upside Hockey.

Have them in the order of our most recent lottery edition rankings.

Check it out at:
https://bit.ly/upsidenhldraftprofiles