Thirteen different players discussed as options with our first pick. OK, some of those (Carlsson) are decidedly not going to happen, but even if we look only at the May selections, it's all over the map. Not a single overlap for our first pick in mocks I've gathered this month. Ryan Leonard, Zach Benson, Oliver Moore, Colby Barlow, Nate Danielson, and Samuel Honzek. A couple of those guys don't strike me as Yzerman types, but it goes to show how uncertain the draft is after the first half dozen players.
*update: I added Button's and Present's mocks, which make Moore and Barlow the players most mocked to us in May with two selections a piece.
At some point, with Seider, Edvinsson, Wallinder etc... we need some balance.
If those guys all pan out how we hope - and that's a big if - do we have the forward equivalents?
I'm usually a proponent of using early picks to draft centers/D over wingers - but we're to the point now where we have to address the lack of an elite offensive forward - center or otherwise.
At some point, with Seider, Edvinsson, Wallinder etc... we need some balance.
If those guys all pan out how we hope - and that's a big if - do we have the forward equivalents?
I'm usually a proponent of using early picks to draft centers/D over wingers - but we're to the point now where we have to address the lack of an elite offensive forward - center or otherwise.
I’m still in favor of drafting the top guy on the team’s board regardless, but I understand your concerns, especially after dumping Bertuzzi and Vrana this season. The departure of Hronek leaves a gaping hole on the right side though too, so an area of need is still be addressed. Still, I’ll be mildly surprised if Reinbacher isn’t taken before our pick, so I think it’s likely we walk out with a forward.
At some point, with Seider, Edvinsson, Wallinder etc... we need some balance.
If those guys all pan out how we hope - and that's a big if - do we have the forward equivalents?
I'm usually a proponent of using early picks to draft centers/D over wingers - but we're to the point now where we have to address the lack of an elite offensive forward - center or otherwise.
I like ASP more than Reinbacher. Not really sure I’d take either at 9. Moore, Leonard, Dvorsky & Smith all have the chance to be elite. Michkov maybe slips to 9 too. I want BPA at 9. If the Wings think that’s a D, so be it, but there are a lot of RDs that I like in the 25-41 range. I’d rather see us reach at 17 or trade to get an RD then take our biggest swing at a guy who is probably locked into a second pairing role behind Seider.
Of course if we get an RD that comes in and plays like a #1 on his ELC we could move Seider for a huge return before we have to pay him, but the odds of lightning striking twice there are low.
DelHowLich wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2023 11:55 pm
Dvorsky, Leonard at #9, BPA at 17, RD at 41, BPA, BPA
Who's the model out there for Leonard that makes you guys think he's worth it at 9.
From what I understand, Leonard's skating is good.
He's got a heavy shot.
He's competitive and physical.
But he's 5'11. His skills aren't high end.
Feels like he could be a Bertuzzi type - faster - but not as big.
A guy who does great work along the boards and has enough skill to make things happen.
But unlike Bertuzzi - he doesn't have a great hockey IQ according to HockeyProspect.
DelHowLich wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2023 11:55 pm
Dvorsky, Leonard at #9, BPA at 17, RD at 41, BPA, BPA
Who's the model out there for Leonard that makes you guys think he's worth it at 9.
From what I understand, Leonard's skating is good.
He's got a heavy shot.
He's competitive and physical.
But he's 5'11. His skills aren't high end.
Feels like he could be a Bertuzzi type - faster - but not as big.
A guy who does great work along the boards and has enough skill to make things happen.
But unlike Bertuzzi - he doesn't have a great hockey IQ according to HockeyProspect.
There's a very small list of players that have played up at a higher level of international play than their age would indicate. Leonard is one of those players - or at least he was when he played a year younger than his peers at the WJC U18 in 2021-2022 season. There were a lot of stars on that team, but in six games Leonard held his own scoring 5 goals 6 points in 6 games. This year he tied Dvorsky with 8 goals 17 points in 7 games coming back to the WJC age appropriate. Only Will Smith and Cole Eiserman scored more goals, and only Will Smith and Gabe Perreault score more points.
I will qualify that I've only watched a bit of Ryan Leonard because I've assumed he won't be there when we pick. Watching Perreault, it seems like Leonard has made a lot of Perreault's points happen. I don't know if he'll be better than Bertuzzi, and I don't know if his scoring abilities are because he had stellar forwards on the line in his international play. I do see enough to make me think I agree with the phrase he "has enough skill to make things happen." I think I would take Leonard at 9, but not over Dvorsky, Smith, or Mitchkov.
DelHowLich wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2023 11:55 pm
Dvorsky, Leonard at #9, BPA at 17, RD at 41, BPA, BPA
Who's the model out there for Leonard that makes you guys think he's worth it at 9.
From what I understand, Leonard's skating is good.
He's got a heavy shot.
He's competitive and physical.
But he's 5'11. His skills aren't high end.
Feels like he could be a Bertuzzi type - faster - but not as big.
A guy who does great work along the boards and has enough skill to make things happen.
But unlike Bertuzzi - he doesn't have a great hockey IQ according to HockeyProspect.
There's a very small list of players that have played up at a higher level of international play than their age would indicate. Leonard is one of those players - or at least he was when he played a year younger than his peers at the WJC U18 in 2021-2022 season. There were a lot of stars on that team, but in six games Leonard held his own scoring 5 goals 6 points in 6 games. This year he tied Dvorsky with 8 goals 17 points in 7 games coming back to the WJC age appropriate. Only Will Smith and Cole Eiserman scored more goals, and only Will Smith and Gabe Perreault score more points.
I will qualify that I've only watched a bit of Ryan Leonard because I've assumed he won't be there when we pick. Watching Perreault, it seems like Leonard has made a lot of Perreault's points happen. I don't know if he'll be better than Bertuzzi, and I don't know if his scoring abilities are because he had stellar forwards on the line in his international play. I do see enough to make me think I agree with the phrase he "has enough skill to make things happen." I think I would take Leonard at 9, but not over Dvorsky, Smith, or Mitchkov.
What about Leonard vs. Moore? I have leaned Moore for a long time, but I read some kinda dated shit oh Leonard’s skating that got me there. Still think I like Moore more, but maybe not so much anymore.
