2023 NHL Entry Draft - Kraken Edition

[Gniwder]

What "poor kid" is actually playing hockey?

It's an incredibly expensive sport that automatically rules out a certain percentage of people anyways.

Still, even with his dad being a former NHL pro, you can still improve your skating at age 18 which has been shown over and over again

To me you look if the prospect has at least one thing he's really good at and then you decide if the other things are OK(or you think you can work on) to you or not.
And Perreault can put the puck in the net which is a really nice aspect to his game.

But like you've said, at #20 none of us(armchair scouts) knows which prospects will be around and there's even a good chance the team just takes someone completely different because that who they have on top of their list when the Kraken are on the clock.

It's expensive in the US, not so much in Canada. If you want an example of a poor Canadian hockey player from BFE, you can start with Tootoo.

None of the Canadian college guys I knew came from a rich background, their parents were school teachers and such. Maybe not Tootoo poor, but certainly not rich.

Anyways, back to the subject, watch Gabe's skating. The kids that improve drastically usually have technique flaws, bad mechanics, stance issues, or don't use their edges properly. Gabe doesn't have those issues, his legs are just slow.

Hockey is a faster game than when his dad played, but that isn't to say a slow player can't score. Jason Robertson is still slow but damn that kid is an absolute puck magnet. He has more size than Gabe but doesn't really utilize it much either, other than his reach. Robertson is the reason why I think a team takes a chance at Gabe before #20. Gabe could wind up being a better version of Hudler, I think that's the best comparison. Hudler was slow as molasses during winter in Calgary.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Being an ex-Sharks fan, I find a really hard time saying this but, I trust our team's pick, whoever that may be at 20. Even if it's a "who?" pick.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

It's expensive in the US, not so much in Canada. If you want an example of a poor Canadian hockey player from BFE, you can start with Tootoo.

None of the Canadian college guys I knew came from a rich background, their parents were school teachers and such. Maybe not Tootoo poor, but certainly not rich.

Anyways, back to the subject, watch Gabe's skating. The kids that improve drastically usually have technique flaws, bad mechanics, stance issues, or don't use their edges properly. Gabe doesn't have those issues, his legs are just slow.

Hockey is a faster game than when his dad played, but that isn't to say a slow player can't score. Jason Robertson is still slow but damn that kid is an absolute puck magnet. He has more size than Gabe but doesn't really utilize it much either, other than his reach. Robertson is the reason why I think a team takes a chance at Gabe before #20. Gabe could wind up being a better version of Hudler, I think that's the best comparison. Hudler was slow as molasses during winter in Calgary.

I don't think it makes much sense to compare the game to 10 - 20 years ago, or so.

Perreault can score and if the team thinks they can work with his skating or don't see it as a red flag they could certainly take him.

Though, skating has been an inportant thing for Francis in building this team and drafting as well.

So let's see what they'll do on Wednesday.

Being an ex-Sharks fan, I find a really hard time saying this but, I trust our team's pick, whoever that may be at 20. Even if it's a "who?" pick.

Well yeah. They've done a good job drafthing so far.
Also, I mean, what other choice do we have, right?

 

[kihei]

Here's an interesting site out of Calgary that provides a consensus top 32 players by combining the results from 12 leading hockey publications, #20 is Musty, but the way.

2023 NHL Draft aggregated consensus first round draft ranking

<strong><em>Brought to you by odds site <a href="https://betway.com/en...

flamesnation.ca

According to this, Cristall, Willander, Ritchie and Gulyayev would still be available as well.

 

[Gniwder]

I don't think it makes much sense to compare the game to 10 - 20 years ago, or so.

Perreault can score and if the team thinks they can work with his skating or don't see it as a red flag they could certainly take him.

Though, skating has been an inportant thing for Francis in building this team and drafting as well.

So let's see what they'll do on Wednesday.

Well that's just because of my age, lol. But hockey is cheaper in other places, this state has no ice rinks. I played hockey in Michigan, there's 18 rinks in the Detroit area and I'm only counting immediate suburbs.

As for Gabe, given his stats, if skating wasn't an issue he'd be ranked above his teammates because he outscored them, He set the NTDP record for scoring this season. So obviously the pundits think it's an issue, we'll see how the NHL scouts feel about it. It only takes one team to fall in love....

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Here's an interesting site out of Calgary that provides a consensus top 32 players by combining the results from 12 leading hockey publications, #20 is Musty, but the way.

2023 NHL Draft aggregated consensus first round draft ranking

<strong><em>Brought to you by odds site <a href="https://betway.com/en...

flamesnation.ca

I do think that top-20 is going to cover most of the picks that do fall into that range.

Some players in that 21+ range that could fall into the top-20 are:

But
Willander
Stenberg
Ritchie

Some players in the top 20 that could fall outside are:

Perreault
Sale
Honzek
Yager

At some point teams are going to start swinging for high-end (ceiling) over safety OR draft for need (likely D-men) and I feel that is very likely to make things interesting.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Well that's just because of my age, lol. But hockey is cheaper in other places, this state has no ice rinks. I played hockey in Michigan, there's 18 rinks in the Detroit area and I'm only counting immediate suburbs.

As for Gabe, given his stats, if skating wasn't an issue he'd be ranked above his teammates because he outscored them, He set the NTDP record for scoring this season. So obviously the pundits think it's an issue, we'll see how the NHL scouts feel about it. It only takes one team to fall in love....

Depends on how scouts are rating the players too. Black Book, which is fairly reputable, has Perreault at 9OA despite outlining concerns over his skating, size and athleticism. That is how they rate the other aspects of his game.

 

[Gniwder]

Depends on how scouts are rating the players too. Black Book, which is fairly reputable, has Perreault at 9OA despite outlining concerns over his skating, size and athleticism. That is how they rate the other aspects of his game.

Where he gets picked depends on which team falls in love with him. I doubt #9 because that's Detroit, and they'll probably go with a center. I think he'll be gone before 20 though.

I don't think it matters to the Kraken, he really doesn't fit the style of play. I think Moore is the player Francis wants, but he won't fall that far either.

 

[Gniwder]

I do think that top-20 is going to cover most of the picks that do fall into that range.

Some players in that 21+ range that could fall into the top-20 are:

But
Willander
Stenberg
Ritchie

Some players in the top 20 that could fall outside are:

Perreault
Sale
Honzek
Yager

At some point teams are going to start swinging for high-end (ceiling) over safety OR draft for need (likely D-men) and I feel that is very likely to make things interesting.

Willander would be a pretty solid pick, not sure about the others.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Where he gets picked depends on which team falls in love with him. I doubt #9 because that's Detroit, and they'll probably go with a center. I think he'll be gone before 20 though.

I don't think it matters to the Kraken, he really doesn't fit the style of play. I think Moore is the player Francis wants, but he won't fall that far either.

Well .. if our scouts rank players weighted heavily on the style of play, then yes. I am genuinely not sure what factors come into play when teams build their lists. Sure, style of play should be one of the factors, but with the type of players that were picked in the expansion draft and even over the first two drafts, I don't think if it is that big of a factor.

Willander would be a pretty solid pick, not sure about the others.

I am a massive fan of But. The only reason he has been projected low is because of the Russian factor. I honestly don't see many issues with his game, and am fairly certain he would be top-10 if he were NOT Russian. Willander has been a later riser but is likely to be gone before we pick. Ritchie is pretty high (top-15) on some lists that I have seen. If the style of play is a big factor, he is a very good pick for the Kraken. While his skating and agility are only above-average, he still showed improvement this season despite playing through injuries.

At the end of the day, there are going to be some question marks with whoever we draft. Really comes down to if the team deems them fixable or not.

 

[Gniwder]

Well .. if our scouts rank players weighted heavily on the style of play, then yes. I am genuinely not sure what factors come into play when teams build their lists. Sure, style of play should be one of the factors, but with the type of players that were picked in the expansion draft and even over the first two drafts, I don't think if it is that big of a factor.

Haven't all of the picks so far been above average skaters? Or maybe it's just the ones I'm familiar with?

Edit: I'm looking at his Carolina picks and his early picks are all good skaters, Necas, Aho, etc

 

[kihei]

I think RF values speed, too, or, maybe, sneaky speed is a better description. As this team has been put together, I never once thought "wow, we're a fast team." But as it turns out, we are among the faster teams in the league and it has won us games. I doubt we pick a guy in the first round with skating issues.

 

[Kat Predator]

I don't think it makes much sense to compare the game to 10 - 20 years ago, or so.

Perreault can score and if the team thinks they can work with his skating or don't see it as a red flag they could certainly take him.

Though, skating has been an inportant thing for Francis in building this team and drafting as well.

So let's see what they'll do on Wednesday.



Well yeah. They've done a good job drafthing so far.
Also, I mean, what other choice do we have, right?

Just adding that skating and speed are very important for the system we're running. I don't think we're going to rate a player with skating issues as high as some other teams might.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

A couple more mock drafts.

Flo Hockey(2 rounds)

2023 NHL Mock Draft 2.0: Predicting All 64 Picks In First Two Rounds - FloHockey

In Chris Peters' latest Mock Draft, Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli go No. 1 and 2, but could there be a surprise at No. 3 with the Columbus Blue Jackets?

www.flohockey.tv

#20 - Braden Yager - C/Moose Jaw
#50 - Carson Bjarnason - G/Brandon Wheat Kings
#52 - Koehn Ziemmer - RW/Prince George Cougars
#57 - Beau Akey - RHD/Barrie Colts

I would not mind that one.

Jason Bukala(Sportsnet)

Jason Bukala's 2023 NHL Mock Draft: What happens after Bedard goes first?

With the NHL Draft just two days away, scout Jason Bukala takes a crack at how he thinks the first round will unfold.

www.sportsnet.ca

#20 - Gavin Brindley - RW

SportingNews

NHL Mock Draft 2023: Connor Bedard goes to Blackhawks; Matvei Michkov falls out of top 5 in final projections | Sporting News

The Sporting News provides its final mock draft ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft this week.

www.sportingnews.com

#20 - Lukas Dragicevic - D/Tri-City

Don't really like that one.

Yahoo

2023 NHL mock draft: Final predictions for all 32 first-round picks, latest intel

Here's how we see the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft shaking out on June 28.

ca.sports.yahoo.com

#20 - Dmitri Simashev - LHD/Lokomotiv Yaroslavil

Daily Faceoff

2023 NHL Draft: Final Round 1 Mock Draft

The first pick is obvious. But after that? Anything can happen.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

#20 - Quentin Musty - LW/Sudbury

Bleacher Report

NHL Mock Draft 2023: Order of Selections and 1st-Round Predictions

Time is running out for the NHL's 32 teams to finalize their draft preparations. The league's 2023 draft is set to begin Wednesday and then wrap up Thursday,…

bleacherreport.com

#20 - Dmitri Simashev - LHD/Lokomotiv Yaroslavil

SportsNaut

2023 NHL mock draft: Latest projections a week before the event

Who will be the first pick in the 2023 NHL Draft? Dive into Sportsnaut's latest NHL mock draft for predictions for the Ducks, Blue Jackets, Blackhawks and more.

sportsnaut.com

#20 - Dmitri Simashev - LHD/Lokomotiv Yaroslavil

ClutchPoints

Final 2023 NHL Mock Draft

With the 2023 NHL Draft just days away, here is our final NHL Mock Draft for the year with predictions for the entire first round.

clutchpoints.com

#20 - Eduard Sale - LW/Brno

Lines(7 rounds)

2024 NHL Mock Draft | NHL Projected Lines

Full round 2024 NHL mock draft projections, with trades and compensatory picks based on weekly team projections and college and amateur player rankings.

www.lines.com

#20 - Calum Ritchie - C
#50 - Oscar Fisker Moelgaard - C
#52 - Nico Myatovic - LW
#57 - Jacob Fowler - G
.....

The Score

2023 NHL mock draft: Top 4 is locked in, but who follows?

The 2023 NHL Draft begins Wednesday, so theScore's Kyle Cushman, Nick Faris, John Matisz, and Josh Wegman projected all 32 first-round picks. See our first mock here (published May 9), our draft guide here, and visit the app's NHL News section for full draft and free-agency...

www.thescore.com

#20 - Quentin Musty - LW/Sudbury

ESPN

NHL mock draft: Kevin Weekes' projections for every first-round pick

There's no surprise who's going No. 1 to the Blackhawks. But who'll get picked after Connor Bedard? Here's our final prediction before this year's event.

www.espn.com

#20 - Quentin Musty - LW/Sudbury


BTW: For everyone hoping for "Trader Ron" tonight.
So far in his career as a GM in both Carolina and Seattle Ron Francis trade record at NHL entry drafts looks like this.

Trade Up. 1
2022 --> traded picks #117 + #132 for pick #91

Trade Down: 0

So unless he does a °180 I don't think we'll see much of a trade.

 

[superdeluxe]

Dragicivec is a reach at 20. Would LOVE to see Yager at 20, Musty at 20 seems good as well.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Dragicivec is a reach at 20. Would LOVE to see Yager at 20, Musty at 20 seems good as well.

Yeah, not a fan of Dragicevic at #20.

BTW:
I somehow wouldn't be surprised if Eduard Sales ends up being the pick.

Our head scout(Robert Kron) is Czech and certainly knows the kid and Sale does have a lot of talent that might just need a little longer to develop.
Francis has also shown to not worry about something like that back in Caroline when he took Martin Necas.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Yeah, not a fan of Dragicevic at #20.

BTW:
I somehow wouldn't be surprised if Eduard Sales ends up being the pick.

Our head scout(Robert Kron) is Czech and certainly knows the kid and Sale does have a lot of talent that might just need a little longer to develop.
Francis has also shown to not worry about something like that back in Caroline when he took Martin Necas.

Any time they talk about a D-man being a 4th forward it really worries me. I have read that about Dragicevic across multiple scouting reports. If he rounds off his D game a bit, he could be a Karlsson lite but that is a big if.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Quick heads up. I created a GDT thread for Day 1 but have it locked for now. WIll unlock it as it gets closer to draft time. For now, let's continue using this for discussions.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Any time they talk about a D-man being a 4th forward it really worries me. I have read that about Dragicevic across multiple scouting reports. If he rounds off his D game a bit, he could be a Karlsson lite but that is a big if.

Everything I've heard about him is sliding down draft boards and not being a first round talent in this draft.

BTW:
That "Karlsson lite" thing is something I take as seriously as every center prospect that can't score(but somewhat tries on defense) being Bergeron.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Everything I've heard about him is sliding down draft boards and not being a first round talent in this draft.

BTW:
That "Karlsson lite" thing is something I take as seriously as every center prospect that can't score(but somewhat tries on defense) being Bergeron.

Ha ha. Yeah. I think Karlsson-lite or Bergeron-lite is what many people want to hear. It's a good sales pitch ..

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I hope Francis can swing something with TBL to get the #37 that they just acquired. That is the only pick they have in the 1st 3 rounds, and hopefully we can use our combination of 2nd round pick+ to move to that spot. Give them more picks.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

I hope Francis can swing something with TBL to get the #37 that they just acquired. That is the only pick they have in the 1st 3 rounds, and hopefully we can use our combination of 2nd round pick+ to move to that spot. Give them more picks.

Like I've posted before, Francis has only made one move on Draft Day his whole GM career.

Though, I wouldn't mind that.

BTW: Pretty good article by Sound of Hockey, once again.

Kraken Musings as we head into the 2023 NHL Entry Draft - Sound Of Hockey

As the NHL Entry Draft kicks off tonight, we thought it would be appropriate to put together another round of musings on the busy week.

soundofhockey.com

 

[kihei]

I think there is about a 50% chance that after Francis announces our first round pick, a chorus of us are going to go, "Damn, he could have traded down and still got that guy."

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I think there is about a 50% chance that after Francis announces our first round pick, a chorus of us are going to go, "Damn, he could have traded down and still got that guy."

Unless you are picking pretty high, I think that is something we can expect to hear almost anywhere ..

 

[superdeluxe]

I think there is about a 50% chance that after Francis announces our first round pick, a chorus of us are going to go, "Damn, he could have traded down and still got that guy."

Especially with this draft. seems like anyone from 20-50 can be had anywhere.