GDT: 2023 NHL DRAFT 6/28-29 in SMASHVILLE

[herzausstein]

Free agency less than 2 days away

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Free agency less than 2 days away

Buyouts and QOs due tomorrow too.

On to the next GDT!

 

[Kat Predator]

Reading about our picks and there seems to be a theme in these reports. Most of these kids scored well with their effort without the puck. Honestly, that sounds like a really good direction. Standing around on defense, the powerplay, etc. can be seen out of the building by event staff.

 

[sparkle twin]

One of the national writers, I forget who, gave us a B+.

People seem to like our picks, so I'm happy with the draft

 

[Scoresberg]

I give this draft a solid B.

Obviously, got a top player in Wood.

I think there were better options than Molendyk, although I now understand that pick better.

It's kind of surprising they didn't take any more defenseman. It also seems that there would've been more skilled players available with our 2nd round picks and instead they went with safer picks. This is the same staff that drafted Evangelista in the 2nd round couple years back so have to give those picks some time.

Kiiskinen's a interesting one. I think they were looking for the Lehkonen with that pick. High-energy player, reliable at both ends of the ice and has some offensive touch to go with it. Don't hate that pick.

All-in-all, there were fewer "swings" than I ultimately would've thought and what Trotz even indicated before the draft.

 

[triggrman]

Well technically Woods was a swing. He has everything high level but skating. Molendyk is a swing, he is elite except for the numbers.

 

[Armourboy]

Yeah I wouldn't call any of these guys givens but one good thing is they are young.

 

[Edgework]

Reading about our picks and there seems to be a theme in these reports. Most of these kids scored well with their effort without the puck. Honestly, that sounds like a really good direction. Standing around on defense, the powerplay, etc. can be seen out of the building by event staff.

Great catch. Another theme I’m seeing is “high hockey IQ.” Reports will say this dude is “one of the smartest players in the draft but needs to work on skating,” or that dude is “high IQ but average shot,” etc.

You could build a heck of a squad by stockpiling players who understand the game and work hard without the puck

 

[herzausstein]

Ive seen the words high compete levels around several of our drafted players. I really like that from the later rounds players. They have to have that if they are ever gonna make it to the NHL. Theyre going to want to do the things that make them better so they have the best shot possible.