I'd take him at 11. I don't think it's a reach taking him there. But as I've mentioned before, I like his style of play.
- Load Management

I agree. The scouting publications are out to lunch on this kid. What is his consensus ranking like 20-25? Actual scouts love the kid and there is now way he doesn’t go in the top 15

From the Athletic...


This is a really good U.S NTDP group, that won gold at the U18 Worlds. Will Smith is the guy, right? But who goes second from that team and incredible top line?

Scout 1: “I think it’s Oliver Moore. Moore’s skating is dimensional. He could step into the NHL tomorrow and be one of the better skaters in the league.”

Scout 2: “Leonard has so many ways he can impact an NHL game. He can play fast, he’s got a ton of skill, he scores big goals, and he has some nastiness in him. He’s the type of player coaches will crave, managers will think that’s who you win with.”

Scout 3: “Leonard looks like a pro. He has the fewest flaws in his skill set. He could be better than Smith when it’s all said and done.”

Scout 4: “Perreault. His skill and vision are pretty special and he competes well too, so you can live with the size and skating issues.”

Scout 5: “I think it’s clearly Leonard. I think he’s as good as Smith. Maybe not quite as smart as him, but he competes harder and has a ton of skill too.”

Executive 1: “Perreault is very underrated. He has a ton of skill and vision, scored at the same pace as Smith. He lacks size, but he competes well. I think he’s top 10 in the draft, similar player to Cole Perfetti.”

Executive 2: “Your question has the presumption Smith is the No. 1 guy, but there are several people on our staff who would take Leonard over Smith.”

Scout 6: “I guess Leonard, but Smith is our No. 2.”

Scout 7: “Leonard. He’s a gamer, when you need to win in the playoffs, you want that guy on your team. He should be a top 6-7 pick.”

Executive 3: “Leonard is our No. 2 but Perreault is right behind him on our list. I could go either way. Leonard is just such a good all-around hockey player though, the kind of guy you win with.”

From the Athletic...

Who is No. 2 in the WHL? I presume No. 1 (Connor Bedard) is not up for debate!

Scout 1: “Every time I’ve watched the ICE, Benson is the best player on the ice. He has issues for sure in his projection, but bottom line he competes his ass off and he makes an impact every night. He’s the guy.”

Executive 1: “Danielson. He has so much going for him. He’s a great skater, the size down the middle, he has skill, hockey sense, he plays both ways. He could be a better skating version of Anton Lundell.”

Scout 2: “Danielson has an easy path to being a top two-line NHL center. He skates very well, he’s smart, he competes, he has NHL size. People are sleeping on him.”

Executive 2: “Benson, because he has elite hockey sense, and he’s a competitor. The skating isn’t amazing at that size, but he’s quite elusive, he doesn’t get hit a lot, he can pull away when he needs to.”

Executive 3: “Danielson has a lot of NHL in him, a ton of upside between his size, skating and skill. He didn’t have as much around him as the other top guys, but he would have put up a lot of points on a different team.”

Scout 3: “Brayden Yager is a gamer. I know he didn’t score a ton this season, but he scored 30 as a 16-year-old. He’s a two-way player, you want him on the ice in any critical situation. He skates so well, he competes hard, he’s super intelligent, his shot is lethal, I think there’s a lot in his game that will translate into a highly successful pro.”

Executive 4: “Samuel Honzek does everything well. He’s fast, skilled, he can score and create offense for his teammates. He works hard. He can create from the perimeter, he can be a net-front guy, and can kill penalties, and does all of this in a 6-foot-4 frame. There’s so much more pro in his game than the other choices.”

Samuel Honzek finished tied for second in horizonal jump in the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine fitness testing. Honzek is the No. 9 ranked North American Skater and a member of the @WHLGiants.

See full details: https://t.co/8mBriFOcK3 pic.twitter.com/JUfpBr9B4P

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 10, 2023

Scout 4: “I lean Danielson. He looks like a no-doubt NHL center, a guy who is going to play for a long time and be very good for you. I can’t sit here and promise you big point totals, maybe they come, maybe they don’t, but you can pick him and sleep easy.”

Executive 5: “It’s between Danielson and Honzek for me. I lean Danielson because of the position. Both have NHL bodies and skating ability, produce offense and are two-way guys.”

Scout 5: “You said your comp for Benson is Jonathan Marchessault. You look at Marchessault in the playoffs this spring, I want that player.“

Who is the best defense prospect this season? Who’s number two? How high should they go? Anyone people are sleeping on?

Executive 1: “It’s probably Reinbacher or Sandin Pellikka. Depends on the traits you’re seeking, Pellikka is more offensive, but Reinbacher looks more like a prototypical NHL defenseman.”

On Thursday, we broke down the center group of the 2023 NHL Draft. Today, it’s time for the defensemen.

Let’s start with Tier 1: David Reinbacher and Dmitri Simashev.

✍️ @coreypronmanhttps://t.co/MWsy4VRxDi

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 9, 2023

Scout 1: “It’s Reinbacher for sure at the top. He looks like a legit pro defenseman, shades of Noah Dobson. Don’t be surprised if he goes top five.”

Scout 2: “I think Oliver Bonk is going to surprise people with where he goes. First round for sure, could even see him go comfortably in the top 20, there’s a lot of NHL in his game. You look at the playoffs, all those big, mobile puck-moving defensemen, teams will covet a player like him.”

Scout 3: “Simashev should be the first defenseman picked on pure ability. He has top pair tools. Will someone actually do it, especially with how good Reinbacher looked? I’m guessing unlikely.”

Executive 2: “I don’t think Gulyayev is the best, but he’s close. He has high-end hockey sense, he can create versus men with dynamic skating and skill. There’s a lot of modern-day NHL defenseman in his game.”

Executive 3: “I wouldn’t take any defenseman in the upper half of the first. I think guys like Reinbacher, Sandin Pellikka, etc., are being propped up because of the scarcity of D in this draft.”

Scout 4: “Reinbacher is the clear top defenseman, I think he could go top five. After that on talent, it’s Simashev, but in reality, it will likely be Sandin Pellikka or Tom Willander.”

Scout 5: “I’ll go rogue and say Willander is the best defenseman. He’s such a good skater, I think he’s just going to keep getting better and better.”

Scout 6: “He’s not the best, but Tanner Molendyk is not far from the top of the D group for us. He’s an elite skater, a true competitor. He will have a long NHL career.”

Executive 4: “Reinbacher is the best defenseman. I would take Willander next, but in terms of pure ability I would have Simashev narrowly ahead.”

Scout 7: “Simashev is the best D in the draft. Reinbacher and Willander are good players but Simashev is a 6-4, excellent skating defenseman with skill. You can’t find those guys on the open market.”

Scout 8: “Willander is a stud. Not everyone on our staff agrees but he’s the best D for me and would be comfortably in the top 10.”

Trade Petey
Buy out OEL
Sign Carlsson

Ricky Dhaliwal says the Canucks took RW Matthew Wood out for dinner last week too.

https://www.hockeydb.com/...s/pdisplay.php?pid=241511

Ricky Dhaliwal says the Canucks took RW Matthew Wood out for dinner last week too.

https://www.hockeydb.com/...s/pdisplay.php?pid=241511
- LeftCoaster

McDonalds?

McDonalds?
- VANTEL

Knowing the Aquilini's, I wouldn't say no.

Knowing the Aquilini's, I wouldn't say no.
- LeftCoaster

Michael Andlauer new unofficial Sens owner.

Michael Andlauer new unofficial Sens owner.
- VANTEL

I'd love it if FA sold the team and Chip Lemon bought it with Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool became our new mascot/logo. Think of the marketing opportunities.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
12m
Per @SNkylebukauskas, Matthew Tkachuk will not play tonight

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
12m
Per @SNkylebukauskas, Matthew Tkachuk will not play tonight
- VanHockeyGuy

Anyone have a link for a stream? nhl66 doesn't work for me anymore

Anyone have a link for a stream? nhl66 doesn't work for me anymore
- DariusKnight

CBC gem plays em

And basic cable CBC , as well as rabbit ears CBC

CBC gem plays em

And basic cable CBC , as well as rabbit ears CBC
- onesmallleap

Don't have cable or rabbit ears, I stream everything because I hate commercials

Don't have cable or rabbit ears, I stream everything because I hate commercials
- DariusKnight

You can go visit Booner he is streaming the game.

Don't have cable or rabbit ears, I stream everything because I hate commercials
- DariusKnight

Cbc gem is a free stream I think

McDonalds?
- VANTEL

They brought back the McPizza?😋

Tkachuk must’ve broke something when he got popped. Live by the sword die by it too.

Nice goal by a guy that can’t skate worth a poop!!

Cbc gem is a free stream I think
- onesmallleap

Thanks

You can go visit Booner he is streaming the game.
- VANTEL

He’s got it all set up and waiting……

He’s got it all set up and waiting……

- Shuswap Wap

That was fucken funny as hell.

Bullpoop goal, the puck was under Bob and the whistle clearly went before it was poked in, I don't subscribe to the NHL 'managing' games to get the results they want but that isn't a goal.

Bullpoop goal, the puck was under Bob and the whistle clearly went before it was poked in, I don't subscribe to the NHL 'managing' games to get the results they want but that isn't a goal.
- DariusKnight

Bruce Cassidy gonna do what he couldn’t with the Boston Bruins, win the Stanley Cup.