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Anyone else been scoping out the picks this year? Anticipating who your teams next big star or bust is going to be.

The more I read, the more I understand why this years draft is so hyped. Even the picks from 11-15 seems like they'd all be in the 6-7 range in a normal year. It makes me regret the Hronek trade even more than I did before, that #17 pick from the Islanders is more like a #10 pick in other years.

Personally I'm hoping for dman Dimitri Simashev or local boy and left winger Zach Benson for the Nucks. I'd like either of them enough to consider them as a 5 or 6 pick but think they maybe around for the Nucks to take them at #11.

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2023- ... ed-to-know

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2023- ... al-top-150

https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-nhl-draft ... -344421998

Nothing wrong with Colby Barlow at 16!

But I still think there is movement to be had before the draft.

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No AI has been used in the making of this post

Michkov is doing his best to be the story of the draft, if that's what he's trying to do. He's being mysterious, not talking to teams. Didn't do combine (none of the Russians did) but he'll be at the draft. Some scouts are slagging him (Nikolishin), while others say he's almost as good as Bedard (The Athletic article about it). Friedman suggested he's pulling a Jagr and trying to dictate where he goes. If that's the case, where does he want to go? After 1-2, the whole draft is tough to predict without knowing where MM goes. Could be 4 to SJ, could be much later.

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If Michkov goes 2 to Anaheim, which apparently Verbeek is considering, then all bets are off.

Columbus said they need a centre.

Leonard will likely rise because he's being compared to Matthew Tkachuk, even though he's 5'11. Copycat league.

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I'd be leery about Leonard. I have zero evidence to back this up, but it does seem to me that when you have players in that 5'10" to 5'11" body range that play the game that hard, play like they're 3 or 4 inches bigger, they seem to be prone to injury and shorter careers. You love to seem them on your team but not sure I'd make him a 5-10 pick. There are so many good options in that range for this year.

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

I too remember when Gilbert Brule was going to be better than Sidney Crosby.

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Thanks Chuck, E.L. and Harmy!

You remember that as a true thing or you remember Razz screaming that as loudly and often as he possibly could.

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

Column B

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Thanks Chuck, E.L. and Harmy!

Assuming no trades, here's my predictions for the top 10:

CHI - Bedard
ANA - Fantili
CLB - Smith
SJ - Carlsson
MTL - Michkov
PHX - Reinbacher
PHI - Benson
WSH - Dvorsky
DET - Leonard
STL - Axel

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I'll join

1. Chicago - Bedard
2. Anaheim - Fantilli
3. Columbus - Carlsson
4. SJ - Michkov
5. Montreal - Smith
6. Phoenix - Reinbacher
7. Phili - Leonard
8. Wash - Benson
9. Detroit - Dvorsky
10. St. L - Pellikka

and as a Canuck's fan I have to add a #11, I hope it's Simashev but I bet its Willander

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

I'm so stoked for this year's draft. Lots of intrigue, lots of teams looking to make moves, lots of Grade A prospects available. Bring it on!

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lol, we're both wrong come 2nd pick. Leo Carlsson, but I had his as 3rd pick which beats EL with 4th......so I win!

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

Not sure if I'm more surprised at Shimashev being #6 or that he was drafted before the other Russian Michkov

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

Benson is still available, please don't disappoint me again Nucks

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

and of course they do, they choose Willander, the one guy I was not keen on. Future 2nd pairing right hand dman. Damn I hate this organization.

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Shoresy, "It's called a sweater"

FUCK.

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Double FUCK!

I mean he's the best defender at the draft, but why not Leonard? Apparently slated to be a top pairing D who can eat 25-30 minutes a game and also has an offensive upside.

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And that's that Tyler Peddle becomes pick 224 (Columbus) to end the draft.

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No AI has been used in the making of this post

I like what the habbers have done.

I like the hooker

And I like Lane's new D partner who he'll play with next year.

Andy Suzi CC
Moneypants, Dax, Slakoffski
RHP Beck Roy
Pizza mullet evans gally.

Shorty / tall dude
MM / goolie
jackeye, may you , yaris, barron

Future looks bright.

Pay a pick to get rid of Hoff
Dvo can go go go for a second next year - send that pick or package him with Hoff to dump them both.
Armia can go for a fifth
Then there's that big dee man to trade away at the deadline for a second rounder

Habs have two firsts next year and Colorado's second, their own third etc...

There's plenty there and the pipeline is pretty full.


T

Michkov is already a healthy scratch in SKA, while 2024 lottery pick Demidov is being used as a plugger.

The KHL is forcing Fedotov to play even though the IIHF ruled in the NHLs favour regarding their contract. Philly needs to get Michkov out asap.

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