2023 NHL Draft Thread

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Was looking at Riley Height and noticed that the Dallas Stars signed undrafted Calgary-born Chase Wheatcroft to an ELC back in March. This is how it is done, Stars snap up a 6'2" 47 goal scoring overager / late bloomer. Wonder if the Flames were even in talks with this kid?

Anyone remember Bryan Cameron?

[aaronkarlpatton]

Anyone remember Bryan Cameron?


Great point. Yes I do.


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[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Anyone remember Bryan Cameron?

I'm not saying the kid is a sure thing.

The Flames have 50 contract slots. They are currently using 34 of them.

Why not use one of the 16 to take a chance on a big bodied goal scorer in your backyard? How many 6'2" 47 goal centers do the Flames have in juniors right now?

Maybe Dallas just offered the better ELC. Maybe the Flames weren't in on him at all.

When I look at the Stars depth chart, they got a lot of big bodies in pretty much every position.

Just wondering why a kid like this who (at least in theory) the Flames should have an inside lane on ended up a Dallas Star.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I'm not saying the kid is a sure thing.

The Flames have 50 contract slots. They are currently using 34 of them.

Why not use one of the 16 to take a chance on a big bodied goal scorer in your backyard? How many 6'2" 47 goal centers do the Flames have in juniors right now?

Maybe Dallas just offered the better ELC. Maybe the Flames weren't in on him at all.

When I look at the Stars depth chart, they got a lot of big bodies in pretty much every position.

Just wondering why a kid like this who (at least in theory) the Flames should have an inside lane on ended up a Dallas Star.

Can't sign every long shot. Stars were the only team to like him enough to sign him.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Even then more of an issue of not having 2nd round picks.

When they had them they took some swings

2nd/3rd picks

2015 - Andersson/Kylington
2016 - Parsons/Dube/Fox
2017 - no picks
2018 - no picks
2019 - Nikolaev
2020 - Kuznetsov/Porier
2021 - Stromgren/Huckins/Whynot
2022 - Ronni

In 8 years they should have 16 picks, they chose 12 times

Not sure I'd call any safe picks

Like I said, 2017 thought 2022 is quite rough in the 2nd/3rd rounds, just evaluating the picks that were actually made.
Poirier was the only high skill/high ceiling pick there IMO. Maybe Nikolaev.
Coincidentally, Poirier is looking like the best prospect.

[Sandman]

THN's Draft Preview came out! Here's the first round:

1)Connor Bedard
2)Adam Fantilli
3)Leo Carlsson
4)Matvei Michkov
5)Will Smith
6)Dalibor Dvorsky
7)Oliver Moore
8)Zach Benson
9)David Reinbacher
10)Brayden Yager
11)Eduard Sale
12)Andrew Cristall
13)Ryan Leonard
14)Axel Sandin-Pellikka
15)Colby Barlow
16)Matt Wood
17)Quentin Musty
18)Lukas Dragicevic
19)Riley Heidt
20)Gabe Perreault
21)Mikhail Gulyayev
22)Nate Danielson
23)Gavin Brindley
24)Cal Ritchie
25)Oliver Bonk
26)Dmitriy Simashev
27)Lenni Hameenaho
28)Otto Stenberg
29)Sam Honzek
30)Tom Willander
31)Daniil But
32)Jayden Perron

[Jiri Hrdina]

Mock or rankings?

[Sandman]

Rankings.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Yager and Sale higher than I would expect

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

-RW Jan Sprynar had a tough time adjusting to life in North America, coming from Czechia to play in the Q with the Rimouski Oceanic- only 5 points in his first 14 games. Eventually, he started to get it together, and finished with a respectable, if not spectacular, 40 points in 60 games, for a team that was 9th best in the standings, but 12th out of 18 teams in goals-for. Sprynar has a large frame, standing 6'1", and weighing 176lbs, and when he fills out, he'll be hard to handle, as he's an excellent skater as well. Good first-step, and small-area quickness, and can separate from opponents in open-ice, although he could use more strength in his legs to provide more power in his already long stride. The other big pillar in his offensive game is his NHL-calibre shot, that he can use to score from long distance. Most of the year, he's been playing on the outside, but as the season wore on, he's been leaning into guys and taking the puck to the net. He's very sneaky off-puck around the goal, moving in and out of holes and waiting for opportunities for rebounds, tips, and shots. He shows his vision and IQ in always being in good position to make himself an option. Though his main weapon is his shot, he is not without creativity to make plays, and set up teammates in high danger, and his offensive skills make him a dangerous weapon on the PP. Sprynar is not particularly physical as far as throwing big hits, but he knows how to use his size to win battles, separate man from puck, and bull his way through traffic- though he has the stickhandling and puck-control to finesse his way around. He's a reponsible player as well, and backchecks almost as hard as he forechecks. His off-puck game comes in to play here as well, with his ability to anticipate where to be to cut of passing lanes, and block shots with his body, but also in being an option on the breakout. Sprynar needs to keep improving his overall game-both offensively and defensively, and his intensity and compete can wane in unimportant games, or when his team has a lead. With improved strength, and better puck-control at top speed, he will be more able to play his game in the pros. 3rd/4th round.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yager and Sale higher than I would expect

Sale's right about where I have him, but Yager and Cristall are surprises for me in the top-16.

I think Leonard and Moore should be switched, too....

[Monahammer]

I have a feeling about Sale. I think he's going to pop in the NHL.

[Ashes]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Sale's right about where I have him, but Yager and Cristall are surprises for me in the top-16.

I think Leonard and Moore should be switched, too....

Agreed on Cristall, he's the guy I've seen ranked anywhere from just outside the top 10, all the way to late first round. I feel like he's the classic high-skill, smaller stature player that some team will take a gamble on earlier in the first, pushing one of the other names further down.

If Cristall is still available for Nashville's pick at #15 I feel like that's the kind of "big swing" pick that Trotz wants his scouts to take in the draft.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I have a feeling about Sale. I think he's going to pop in the NHL.

Effort level is so I consistent. If he figures it out could be a steal but lotta risk there
Boom/bust pick

[dammage79]

Pick Sale, have him on Rozies wing, rage for 10 games when theyre ghosts, cry with glee for 15 games when they go on a 2.3ppg tear, wonder where they went for another 20 games, gasp in awe at another 14 game 2ppg pace . Sign for cheap because they operate only 50 percent of the season.

[Tbull8]

I’m still praying the jackets 3rd is actually in play. Move Lindy for the pick and somehow retain 16. Grab carlsson/smith at 3 and then Sandin Pellika/Yager/Barlow at 16. Rebuild complete

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Effort level is so I consistent. If he figures it out could be a steal but lotta risk there
Boom/bust pick

An NHL scout on THN says Sale is top-6 or nothing- doesn’t think he’ll be able to play bottom-6. I still like him though.

[dammage79]

Not that it matters but my final top 32:
1 Bedard
2. Michkov
3. Fantilli
4. Carlsson
5. Smith
6. Sandin-Pelikka
7. Benson
8. Sale
9. Dvorsky
10. Yager
11. Leonard
12. Gulyayev
13. Reinbacher
14. Moore
15. Danielson
16. Ritchie
17. Barlow
18. Wood
19. Simashev
20. Dragevich
21 Musty
22. Cristall
23. Stenberg
24. Perron
25. But
26. Heidi
27. Wallander
28. Bonk
29. Brindley
30. Perreault
31. Honzek
32. Stramel

For me, the d men are all ranked too low. I've adjusted the ranking to reflect that. Reinbacher is still a bit too high but I expect him to go fast after ASP.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Not that it matters but my final top 32:
1 Bedard
2. Michkov
3. Fantilli
4. Carlsson
5. Smith
6. Sandin-Pelikka
7. Benson
8. Sale
9. Dvorsky
10. Yager
11. Leonard
12. Gulyayev
13. Reinbacher
14. Moore
15. Danielson
16. Ritchie
17. Barlow
18. Wood
19. Simashev
20. Dragevich
21 Musty
22. Cristall
23. Stenberg
24. Perron
25. But
26. Heidi
27. Wallander
28. Bonk
29. Brindley
30. Perreault
31. Honzek
32. Stramel

For me, the d men are all ranked too low. I've adjusted the ranking to reflect that. Reinbacher is still a bit too high but I expect him to go fast after ASP.

Eerily similar to mine.

[dammage79]

Cristall is a pretty major dark horse for me. If he can re work his skating mechanics he's a sure fire top line talent. But as it is he's worth a flyer in the 20s. He's not slow, he's slippery he just skates really really badly from my eyes.