2023 NHL Draft Thread
Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 10:06 am
May as well get this thread going as it's what we are all looking forward to at this point.
Pronman released his latest rankings. Below are 5-10. Bedard, Michkov, Fantilli, Carlsson are 1-4. Michkov will be an interesting watch because he has that pesky two year KHL contract still.
https://theathletic.com/4257787/2023/03 ... y-pronman/
5. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL)
Sep. 27, 2004 | 6′ 1.5″ | 185 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 9
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Dylan Cozens
Background: Danielson was named co-captain of his WHL team during his draft season and has played a big all-situations role for Brandon. He is one of the top play-drivers in the WHL this season and was over a point per game the prior season. He was invited to Canada’s U20 camp in the summer and their U18 camp the prior summer. He was the No. 5 pick in his WHL Bantam Draft.
Analysis: Danielson is a well-rounded center who has a lot of NHL traits. He’s a big body who skates and competes well which, when combined with his offensive touch, allows him to be effective in a lot of situations. He has an excellent stick, and is able to beat defenders with skill at NHL speeds often. He makes a lot of plays with pace but also shows the vision and shot threat to run a power play off the edge. Danielson is a competitive two-way center who wins a good share of puck battles and can kill penalties. He looks like a potential high-in-the-lineup all-situations center in the NHL.
6. William Smith, C, Usa U-18 (NTDP)
Mar. 17, 2005 | 5′ 11.75″ | 178 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 5
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Evgeny Kuznetsov
Background: Smith is the No. 1 center and leading player on this year’s U.S. NTDP team. He has been one of the most productive players ever in their U18 season with the program. Smith was invited to USA’s world juniors camp but was cut. He is committed to Boston College.
Analysis: Smith is a dynamic offensive player who stands out every game with his talent. He has tremendous puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity and projects to be a major asset on an NHL power play. He skates well and makes so many high-difficulty plays at a strong pace, which lends well to his pro projection. Smith is a high-end passer who is also able to finish chances from the dots. The only real wart in his game is I wouldn’t call him an overly-physical or high-energy player. I don’t think he lacks effort. He’s around the puck a ton whenever he’s on the ice and even at times killed penalties for the program.
7. David Reinbacher, D, Kloten (SWISS)
Oct. 25, 2004 | 6′ 2.0″ | 185 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 6
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Brett Pesce
Background: Reinbacher was a top-four defenseman for his NLA team this season. He had the second most productive draft season by a player in NLA history, behind Auston Matthews, and the best by a defenseman. He was a top player for Austria at the 2023 world juniors. He played regular minutes for Autria’s senior team at the Deutschland Cup. He played for Austria’s U20 team at the 2022 world juniors as well.
Analysis: Reinbacher is an excellent all-around defenseman. His mobility stands out immediately, especially as a 6-foot-2 right-shot defender. Reinbacher’s gap control is quite strong, killing a lot of plays due to his feet. He can close on guys with his body too, and shows a high compete level to win back pucks. He’s very polished defensively for such a young player, and projects to shut down good NHL forwards. He’s able to both skate and pass pucks up ice. His offensive touch isn’t elite, but he has creativity with the puck and sees the ice well. He projects as a two-way top pair defenseman.
8. Danil But, LW, Yaroslavl (RUSSIA)
Feb. 15, 2005 | 6′ 5.0″ | 203 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 8
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Alex Tuch
Background: But has been one of the top forwards in Russia’s junior league this season and was a near-point-per-game player in the league the prior season. He earned limited ice time with Lokomotiv’s KHL team. Both Loko’s MHL and KHL teams were top clubs this season. But suited up for Russia’s U18 team as a 16-year-old at the Hlinka Gretzky, Black Sea Cup and the European Youth Olympics. His father Anton But played professional hockey in the KHL and Russian Super League for 17 seasons.
Analysis: But is a large, highly-skilled forward who can score. But makes a lot of crafty plays with the puck in small areas, and with his massive wingspan he’s able to pull pucks past a lot of checkers. He can both make and finish plays well, but he’s more of a goal scorer with a shot that can score from range. But isn’t blazing fast and his stride technique is just OK, but for a 6-foot-5 guy he can motor up the ice quite well, has a strong first step and he’ll be able to power his way to the net off rushes at higher levels. He gives a solid effort and is often involved in the play. Even though I don’t see a high-end trait other than his size, But checks every box and projects to be a major part of an NHL lineup.
Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player (Tier 7)
9. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)
Feb. 14, 2005 | 6′ 0.25″ | 193 pounds | Shoots left
January 2023 Ranking: 18
Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end
Player comparable: Carter Verhaeghe
Background: Barlow is one of the top-scoring and shot-generating forwards in the OHL this season. He scored 30 goals in 59 games as a 16-year-old in the OHL. He was a member of Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky team, where he played a big role and scored five points in five games despite no power-play time. He was the eighth pick in his OHL Draft.
Analysis: Barlow is a well-rounded winger. He is a strong skater who can transport pucks through the neutral zone. He’s a hard-working forward who has some physicality, can kill penalties, and is quite physically advanced for his age. Offensively he has excellent stick skills and a great shot. He’s a threat to score off the rush and from a standstill with his one-timer. Barlow’s playmaking isn’t his selling point, but it’s good enough, especially with how skilled he is at creating scoring opportunities for himself. He projects as a high-in-the-lineup wing who can play on both special teams in the NHL.
10. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)
Nov. 12, 2004 | 6′ 3.5″ | 186 pounds | Shoots left
January 2023 Ranking: 11
Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Pavel Zacha
Background: Honzek has been an all-situations winger for Vancouver. A leg cut suffered at the world juniors kept him out for several months. Honzek played for Slovakia in the summer 2022 world juniors. He got an invite to their senior team camp in the spring of 2022. He was a part of the Hlinka Gretzky team that won silver.
Analysis: Honzek’s game is exciting from a pro projection standpoint. He’s a big forward who can skate well, which when combined with the offense he’s showing makes for a well-rounded player. I don’t think he’s amazing with the puck, but he has good hands and can make tough plays. In the WHL he ran the power play from the flank but that likely won’t be his role as a pro. Off the puck he shows good details, and a strong work rate. He wins a lot of battles and can kill penalties. Honzek dabbled at center for a couple of WHL games but is likely a winger as a pro. Even as a wing he projects to be an important two-way player for an NHL team.
Pronman released his latest rankings. Below are 5-10. Bedard, Michkov, Fantilli, Carlsson are 1-4. Michkov will be an interesting watch because he has that pesky two year KHL contract still.
https://theathletic.com/4257787/2023/03 ... y-pronman/
5. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL)
Sep. 27, 2004 | 6′ 1.5″ | 185 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 9
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Dylan Cozens
Background: Danielson was named co-captain of his WHL team during his draft season and has played a big all-situations role for Brandon. He is one of the top play-drivers in the WHL this season and was over a point per game the prior season. He was invited to Canada’s U20 camp in the summer and their U18 camp the prior summer. He was the No. 5 pick in his WHL Bantam Draft.
Analysis: Danielson is a well-rounded center who has a lot of NHL traits. He’s a big body who skates and competes well which, when combined with his offensive touch, allows him to be effective in a lot of situations. He has an excellent stick, and is able to beat defenders with skill at NHL speeds often. He makes a lot of plays with pace but also shows the vision and shot threat to run a power play off the edge. Danielson is a competitive two-way center who wins a good share of puck battles and can kill penalties. He looks like a potential high-in-the-lineup all-situations center in the NHL.
6. William Smith, C, Usa U-18 (NTDP)
Mar. 17, 2005 | 5′ 11.75″ | 178 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 5
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Evgeny Kuznetsov
Background: Smith is the No. 1 center and leading player on this year’s U.S. NTDP team. He has been one of the most productive players ever in their U18 season with the program. Smith was invited to USA’s world juniors camp but was cut. He is committed to Boston College.
Analysis: Smith is a dynamic offensive player who stands out every game with his talent. He has tremendous puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity and projects to be a major asset on an NHL power play. He skates well and makes so many high-difficulty plays at a strong pace, which lends well to his pro projection. Smith is a high-end passer who is also able to finish chances from the dots. The only real wart in his game is I wouldn’t call him an overly-physical or high-energy player. I don’t think he lacks effort. He’s around the puck a ton whenever he’s on the ice and even at times killed penalties for the program.
7. David Reinbacher, D, Kloten (SWISS)
Oct. 25, 2004 | 6′ 2.0″ | 185 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 6
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Brett Pesce
Background: Reinbacher was a top-four defenseman for his NLA team this season. He had the second most productive draft season by a player in NLA history, behind Auston Matthews, and the best by a defenseman. He was a top player for Austria at the 2023 world juniors. He played regular minutes for Autria’s senior team at the Deutschland Cup. He played for Austria’s U20 team at the 2022 world juniors as well.
Analysis: Reinbacher is an excellent all-around defenseman. His mobility stands out immediately, especially as a 6-foot-2 right-shot defender. Reinbacher’s gap control is quite strong, killing a lot of plays due to his feet. He can close on guys with his body too, and shows a high compete level to win back pucks. He’s very polished defensively for such a young player, and projects to shut down good NHL forwards. He’s able to both skate and pass pucks up ice. His offensive touch isn’t elite, but he has creativity with the puck and sees the ice well. He projects as a two-way top pair defenseman.
8. Danil But, LW, Yaroslavl (RUSSIA)
Feb. 15, 2005 | 6′ 5.0″ | 203 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 8
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Alex Tuch
Background: But has been one of the top forwards in Russia’s junior league this season and was a near-point-per-game player in the league the prior season. He earned limited ice time with Lokomotiv’s KHL team. Both Loko’s MHL and KHL teams were top clubs this season. But suited up for Russia’s U18 team as a 16-year-old at the Hlinka Gretzky, Black Sea Cup and the European Youth Olympics. His father Anton But played professional hockey in the KHL and Russian Super League for 17 seasons.
Analysis: But is a large, highly-skilled forward who can score. But makes a lot of crafty plays with the puck in small areas, and with his massive wingspan he’s able to pull pucks past a lot of checkers. He can both make and finish plays well, but he’s more of a goal scorer with a shot that can score from range. But isn’t blazing fast and his stride technique is just OK, but for a 6-foot-5 guy he can motor up the ice quite well, has a strong first step and he’ll be able to power his way to the net off rushes at higher levels. He gives a solid effort and is often involved in the play. Even though I don’t see a high-end trait other than his size, But checks every box and projects to be a major part of an NHL lineup.
Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player (Tier 7)
9. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)
Feb. 14, 2005 | 6′ 0.25″ | 193 pounds | Shoots left
January 2023 Ranking: 18
Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end
Player comparable: Carter Verhaeghe
Background: Barlow is one of the top-scoring and shot-generating forwards in the OHL this season. He scored 30 goals in 59 games as a 16-year-old in the OHL. He was a member of Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky team, where he played a big role and scored five points in five games despite no power-play time. He was the eighth pick in his OHL Draft.
Analysis: Barlow is a well-rounded winger. He is a strong skater who can transport pucks through the neutral zone. He’s a hard-working forward who has some physicality, can kill penalties, and is quite physically advanced for his age. Offensively he has excellent stick skills and a great shot. He’s a threat to score off the rush and from a standstill with his one-timer. Barlow’s playmaking isn’t his selling point, but it’s good enough, especially with how skilled he is at creating scoring opportunities for himself. He projects as a high-in-the-lineup wing who can play on both special teams in the NHL.
10. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)
Nov. 12, 2004 | 6′ 3.5″ | 186 pounds | Shoots left
January 2023 Ranking: 11
Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Pavel Zacha
Background: Honzek has been an all-situations winger for Vancouver. A leg cut suffered at the world juniors kept him out for several months. Honzek played for Slovakia in the summer 2022 world juniors. He got an invite to their senior team camp in the spring of 2022. He was a part of the Hlinka Gretzky team that won silver.
Analysis: Honzek’s game is exciting from a pro projection standpoint. He’s a big forward who can skate well, which when combined with the offense he’s showing makes for a well-rounded player. I don’t think he’s amazing with the puck, but he has good hands and can make tough plays. In the WHL he ran the power play from the flank but that likely won’t be his role as a pro. Off the puck he shows good details, and a strong work rate. He wins a lot of battles and can kill penalties. Honzek dabbled at center for a couple of WHL games but is likely a winger as a pro. Even as a wing he projects to be an important two-way player for an NHL team.