2023 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

WHL Players by Points Per Game in Draft Year Since 2010:

1. Bedard 2.51
2. Cristall 1.76
3. Reinhart 1.75
4. Jarvis 1.69
5. Draisaitl 1.64
6. Nugent-Hopkins 1.54
7. Barzal 1.30
8. Point 1.26

Note that all 7 of the draft players are elite NHL forwards. Jarvis, Barzal, and Point all fell and ended up being draft steals. Cristall has better point totals than all of them.

Cristall is not a risky pick. If anything, he's one of the surest players in the entire draft.
Players with his production are near guarantees to be impact players in the NHL.

Does he have a high ceiling? Absolutely. But I disagree with the notion that he's a high risk pick. The risk is not taking him. Cristall has holes to his game. He has flaws. But so did Point and Barzal, and they were steals. What matters is results and actual impact moreso than just attributes in a vacuum.

Great post! Like Cristall, Point had skating issues in his draft year- so much so, that he was knocked down a couple of rounds. Not saying that they are on the same trajectory, or that their skating issues are the same, but it’s hard to ignore numbers like AC’s.

[iloveicedhockey]

I think it's been mentioned but Cristall is one of Byron Baders favourite picks for the flames at 16, if not his favourite. I'm definitely warming to him and have switched my favourites to Perrault, Cristall and Musty.

[bax]

I really hope Conroy brings some new perspective to their drafting outside of the first round.

There is always great prospects with high ceilings sitting there in the second round, yet recently we have gone with Ronni, Stromgren, and Kuznetsov. Three picks that were disappointing the moment they were announced.

Hutson was a no brainer last year.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by bax

I really hope Conroy brings some new perspective to their drafting outside of the first round.

There is always great prospects with high ceilings sitting there in the second round, yet recently we have gone with Ronni, Stromgren, and Kuznetsov. Three picks that were disappointing the moment they were announced.

Hutson was a no brainer last year.

To be fair Kuznetsov was a good pick but I agree about the other two.

His numbers don't jump off the chart because he is a defence first defender but he will be an NHLer and an effective one in the not so distant future.

[Royle9]

This is why the Flames need to trade our big assets for more 1st’s
If we could somehow land 2 of Cristal/Perrault/Danielson we’d be in great shape.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Royle9

This is why the Flames need to trade our big assets for more 1st’s
If we could somehow land 2 of Cristal/Perrault/Danielson we’d be in great shape.

Yup. The scouting is done, the first round is deep. The next item is basically luck. Increase your odds.

[slash&burn]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

I think it's been mentioned but Cristall is one of Byron Baders favourite picks for the flames at 16, if not his favourite. I'm definitely warming to him and have switched my favourites to Perrault, Cristall and Musty.

Definitely seems like Danielson and maybe Barlow are safe picks whereas Cristall, Musty, Sale and maybe Heidt carry more risk but higher ceiling.

Perrault probably won't make it to the Flames pick, I don't think.

[iloveicedhockey]

Originally Posted by slash&burn

Definitely seems like Danielson and maybe Barlow are safe picks whereas Cristall, Musty, Sale and maybe Heidt carry more risk but higher ceiling.

Perrault probably won't make it to the Flames pick, I don't think.

Yep, be really happy with one safe and one high risk high reward type. Or two high risk high rewards..... Also really fancy gulyayev.

[SuperMatt18]

I honestly wonder if the situation in Russia changes peoples thoughts with Michkov.

Would anybody be surprised if he was in the NHL next season at this point?

[Bingo Jr.]

Originally Posted by Royle9

This is why the Flames need to trade our big assets for more 1st’s
If we could somehow land 2 of Cristal/Perrault/Danielson we’d be in great shape.

At least one added 2023 1st should be the goal for Connie considering the assets he has to pawn off. I'd be a bit disappointed otherwise.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bingo Jr.

At least one added 2023 1st should be the goal for Connie considering the assets he has to pawn off. I'd be a bit disappointed otherwise.

Agreed, but it takes two to make a trade.

Teams aren’t giving up 2023 first rounders easily, at least not mid round ones.

[Tkachukwagon]

Top 5 high risk / high reward players from the 2023 NHL draft:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/20...medium=twitter

Andrew Cristall, LW (Kewlona, WHL)
Cristall would have easily blown past the 100-point mark had he not had a lower-body injury. From a skill perspective, Cristall has everything going for him. His skating can be a bit of a disaster at points, and he can float around defensively. In a vacuum, there’s a lot to like. When he has the puck on his stick, though, he’s dangerous. Surround him with quality linemates and you should be fine. I believe in Cristall big time.

Lukas Dragicevic, D (Tri-City, WHL)
There isn’t a better offensive defenseman in the draft. Not even close. You don’t typically see defensemen hit the 75-point barrier – heck, not many forwards do, either. It was a remarkable season for the score-first, worry-later defender with one of the best shots from the point. He’s an incredible breakout defenseman – maybe one of the best in years. But poor acceleration and absolutely abysmal defensive coverage is where things fall apart. For whatever reason, we’re seeing a trend of these young, talented defenders who can’t play in their own zone. Dragicevic only switched to the blueline a few years ago, so he’s still trying to figure that out. If he can figure out how to be significantly more effective in his own zone, he’ll be fine, because it’s far from pro-ready right now. But from an offensive standpoint, he has all the skill needed.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Danielson would be a massive snag for CGY. I love it.

I am sure that I am, like, the fifteenth guy to say this, but I am hoping for Danielson just for the proliferation of Mr. Miyagi memes.

[Mass_nerder]

I really really really want Cristall.
Swing for the fences! Take the risk!

[BagoPucks]

I really want the flames to get more 3rd, 4th and 5th round picks. Better to get more lottery tickets. There are a few undersized players that I would love the flames to take.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am sure that I am, like, the fifteenth guy to say this, but I am hoping for Danielson just for the proliferation of Mr. Miyagi memes.

It’s the first time I heard it, and I love it.

[cral12]

A future Backs replacement amongst these lads?

(Sandman has more work me - will get these added this weekend as well)

Edit - Sandman's latest profiles also added.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1672352954970681344

[Reggie Dunlop]

If the Flames take a late round goaltender, I hope they consider Noa Vali.

Just so you can re-arrange the letters to say "No Avail."

Noa Vali, TPS (Finland U-20)
One of the smaller goalies on the list at 6-foot-0, Vali is set to challenge for full-time duty in the top Finnish league next year. He briefly had a taste of pro hockey with TPS in a seven-save relief effort in October. Vali was excellent in the U-20 league and played maybe his best game against the USNTDP in February, a 31-save win. He’s set to play with TPS’ big club next year, which is great to see, but will scouts be wary of his 6-foot-0 frame? He’s quite skilled, but size typically matters here.

[bigrangy]

I just hope the Flames can pick some kids that will be at the Juniors in Sweden this winter. I’ve been to two tourneys in Europe and the best Flames prospects I’ve seen there has been Adam Ollas Mattson. Like frick.

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1672597463042248704