2023 VHL Mock Draft - Part 2
Jun 26, 2023 15:03:45 GMT -5
Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and 6 more like this
Post by Florida Panthers on Jun 26, 2023 15:03:45 GMT -5
IT'S HERE! Welcome to part 2 of the VHL Mock Draft, once again thank you to @brad for putting this together with me! Apologies in advance if we messed up the draft order, I believe it's correct.
LETS GET THIS THING STARTED
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17. Calgary Flames via Dustin Mooy - Matthew Wood
34 points in 35 games in the NCAA, so why doesn't Wood go higher? (that's what she said) He's a big power forward that dominated the NCAA but there are some doubts to his game. He possess's high IQ and a strong shot but that is really about it, there's a lot he needs to work on before he can be an NHL calibre player. Calgary takes a risk here but if he hits with this one, he could have the perfect line mate for 1st overall pick Connor Bedard.
18. St. Louis Blues - Brayden Yager
St. Louis can go a lot of different directions with this pick, and what you think of the value for Yager at this slot probably depends on your opinion as to whether or not he can stick at centre in the NHL. Yager is a well rounded player with a lot of tools, but his will his average size/skating combo allow him to defend at the next level? Only time will tell, but if he hits, Yager could be a big time goal scorer, and a great addition at 18.
19. Minnesota Wild via Buffalo Sabres - Riley Heidt
GM Gibb lives in Northern BC so why not take the best player from the Prince George Cougars of the WHL? Heidt isn't only a great playmaking centre but he's also a pain in the ass to play against. Minny has a reputation for having pests/power forwards in their lineup so we see Heidt as a perfect fit for this VHL franchise.
20. Los Angeles Kings via Montreal Canadiens - Dmitri Simashev
The unprecented run on forwards ends here. LA has a bevy of first round picks, so they will take on the risk of the Russian factor and sink their teeth into the 6'4" blueliner. If Simashev can make is way across the ocean, he's guaranteed to be a big minute-munching d-man. He may not have the upside of some of the forwards still on the board, but has proven himself against KHL competition.
21. Vancouver Canucks via Colorado Avalanche - Mikhail Gulyayev
After drafting Michkov and Perreault with their first two picks, Vancouver opts to draft the best offensive defenceman available, Mikhail Gulyayev. One of the best skaters in the 2023 draft, Gulyayev is an undersized elite offensive threat. If he was a few inches taller he would almost certainly be a top 10 pick. The big question is, can he iron out the defensive weaknesses to his game and translate it to the North American ice?
22. Los Angeles Kings via Minnesota Wild - Daniil But
It's a run on Russians. Given the questions marks and risks surrounding Russian transfers, it makes sense to see Simashev, Gulyalev, and But going close to each other. All have tremendous upside coupled with various risks, both in terms of their on-ice deficiencies and off-ice situations. As for But in particular, the Kings get a massive winger, with unique skill and skating for his size.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Samuel Honzek
Rumours are swirling out of Toronto that the leafs may be heading for a re tool this off season, don’t be surprised if this isn’t the only 1st round pick Toronto possess’s on draft day. GM Fargas takes a fairly safe bet here with Honzek, he’s a HUGE centre that already has pro hockey experience in Slovakia. He does everything pretty good, not great. To get someone so late in the draft that’s nearly NHL ready is always nice and for a team that may be re tooling, it could be impossible to pass up.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins - Calum Ritchie
The Pens decide to target a major need at the centre ice position. Ritchie has slid down the draft order due to questions about his upside, but he's one of a small number of players that has all the tools need to stick at centre and avoid a dreaded move to the wing. He seems like a safe bet to be a middle six centre, but whether that's as a 2nd or 3rd liner remains to be seen.
25. Anaheim Ducks via @brad - Kasper Halttunen
The first Fin of the draft is finally selected! Halttunen possess’s size and a two-way competitive mindset that GM Mat is hoping will help his team out sooner rather than later. Don’t be surprised if this pick is traded to move up in the draft!
26. Los Angeles Kings via Seattle Kraken - Michael Hrabal
It sure is starting to feel like a goalie is going to go in the first round, and Hrabal is the odds-on favourite to be that guy. The Kings takes a shot on him here.
27. Ottawa Senators via Anaheim Ducks - Andrew Cristall
What could be a late 1st round steal, Cristall only trailed Bedard and Stankoven in points per game in the WHL this season. So why is he dropping to pick 27? Bad skating, consistency, and lack of physicality are the 3 big concerns. But there is still HUGE potential with the skill that Cristall possess's, offensively he does everything extremely well and if he can round out the rest of his game...look out.
28. Utah Hockey Club via Tampa Bay Lightning - Quentin Musty
At one point, Musty was believed to be a top 5/10 prospect, likely due to his 1st overall selection in the OHL. Musty hasn't quite panned out to that level, but is an athletic, toolsy player, even his production didn't line up with expectations. The Yotes could be a getting a really good top six winger here.
29. Tampa Bay Lightning via Utah Hockey Club - Oliver Bonk
Bonk is a d man that does it all, skating, passing, shooting, but he defends particularly well. Don’t be surprised to see Bonk go earlier in the draft due to his high floor, this guy is surely going to make the NHL but will it be as a bottom pair shutdown guy or a top 4 2 way beast? Tony bets on the latter.
30. Florida Panthers - David Edstrom
With most of the high ceiling players gone, Florida ops for a safe pick, and a player that can likely be a middle six centre in the NHL.
31. Vancouver Canucks via Columbus Blue Jackets - Lukas Dragicevic
Vancouver takes a big swing here on what could be a home run. Dragicevic is an extremely talented offensive defenceman, he put up truly absurd numbers in the WHL. He comes with many concerns though, his defence is shotty and he only recently started playing the position. Don’t be surprised if a team takes a swing at him earlier, the potential is sky high.
32. Vancouver Canucks via Vegas Golden Knights - Danny Nelson
With the final picks in the first round, Vancouver raises some eyebrows by selecting a player than can play both defense and forward at a high level.
And that's it for the Mock Draft! It will be interesting to see how the NHL draft plays out this Wednesday before the VHL one begins on July 3rd!
LETS GET THIS THING STARTED
17. Calgary Flames via Dustin Mooy - Matthew Wood
34 points in 35 games in the NCAA, so why doesn't Wood go higher? (that's what she said) He's a big power forward that dominated the NCAA but there are some doubts to his game. He possess's high IQ and a strong shot but that is really about it, there's a lot he needs to work on before he can be an NHL calibre player. Calgary takes a risk here but if he hits with this one, he could have the perfect line mate for 1st overall pick Connor Bedard.
18. St. Louis Blues - Brayden Yager
St. Louis can go a lot of different directions with this pick, and what you think of the value for Yager at this slot probably depends on your opinion as to whether or not he can stick at centre in the NHL. Yager is a well rounded player with a lot of tools, but his will his average size/skating combo allow him to defend at the next level? Only time will tell, but if he hits, Yager could be a big time goal scorer, and a great addition at 18.
19. Minnesota Wild via Buffalo Sabres - Riley Heidt
GM Gibb lives in Northern BC so why not take the best player from the Prince George Cougars of the WHL? Heidt isn't only a great playmaking centre but he's also a pain in the ass to play against. Minny has a reputation for having pests/power forwards in their lineup so we see Heidt as a perfect fit for this VHL franchise.
20. Los Angeles Kings via Montreal Canadiens - Dmitri Simashev
The unprecented run on forwards ends here. LA has a bevy of first round picks, so they will take on the risk of the Russian factor and sink their teeth into the 6'4" blueliner. If Simashev can make is way across the ocean, he's guaranteed to be a big minute-munching d-man. He may not have the upside of some of the forwards still on the board, but has proven himself against KHL competition.
21. Vancouver Canucks via Colorado Avalanche - Mikhail Gulyayev
After drafting Michkov and Perreault with their first two picks, Vancouver opts to draft the best offensive defenceman available, Mikhail Gulyayev. One of the best skaters in the 2023 draft, Gulyayev is an undersized elite offensive threat. If he was a few inches taller he would almost certainly be a top 10 pick. The big question is, can he iron out the defensive weaknesses to his game and translate it to the North American ice?
22. Los Angeles Kings via Minnesota Wild - Daniil But
It's a run on Russians. Given the questions marks and risks surrounding Russian transfers, it makes sense to see Simashev, Gulyalev, and But going close to each other. All have tremendous upside coupled with various risks, both in terms of their on-ice deficiencies and off-ice situations. As for But in particular, the Kings get a massive winger, with unique skill and skating for his size.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Samuel Honzek
Rumours are swirling out of Toronto that the leafs may be heading for a re tool this off season, don’t be surprised if this isn’t the only 1st round pick Toronto possess’s on draft day. GM Fargas takes a fairly safe bet here with Honzek, he’s a HUGE centre that already has pro hockey experience in Slovakia. He does everything pretty good, not great. To get someone so late in the draft that’s nearly NHL ready is always nice and for a team that may be re tooling, it could be impossible to pass up.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins - Calum Ritchie
The Pens decide to target a major need at the centre ice position. Ritchie has slid down the draft order due to questions about his upside, but he's one of a small number of players that has all the tools need to stick at centre and avoid a dreaded move to the wing. He seems like a safe bet to be a middle six centre, but whether that's as a 2nd or 3rd liner remains to be seen.
25. Anaheim Ducks via @brad - Kasper Halttunen
The first Fin of the draft is finally selected! Halttunen possess’s size and a two-way competitive mindset that GM Mat is hoping will help his team out sooner rather than later. Don’t be surprised if this pick is traded to move up in the draft!
26. Los Angeles Kings via Seattle Kraken - Michael Hrabal
It sure is starting to feel like a goalie is going to go in the first round, and Hrabal is the odds-on favourite to be that guy. The Kings takes a shot on him here.
27. Ottawa Senators via Anaheim Ducks - Andrew Cristall
What could be a late 1st round steal, Cristall only trailed Bedard and Stankoven in points per game in the WHL this season. So why is he dropping to pick 27? Bad skating, consistency, and lack of physicality are the 3 big concerns. But there is still HUGE potential with the skill that Cristall possess's, offensively he does everything extremely well and if he can round out the rest of his game...look out.
28. Utah Hockey Club via Tampa Bay Lightning - Quentin Musty
At one point, Musty was believed to be a top 5/10 prospect, likely due to his 1st overall selection in the OHL. Musty hasn't quite panned out to that level, but is an athletic, toolsy player, even his production didn't line up with expectations. The Yotes could be a getting a really good top six winger here.
29. Tampa Bay Lightning via Utah Hockey Club - Oliver Bonk
Bonk is a d man that does it all, skating, passing, shooting, but he defends particularly well. Don’t be surprised to see Bonk go earlier in the draft due to his high floor, this guy is surely going to make the NHL but will it be as a bottom pair shutdown guy or a top 4 2 way beast? Tony bets on the latter.
30. Florida Panthers - David Edstrom
With most of the high ceiling players gone, Florida ops for a safe pick, and a player that can likely be a middle six centre in the NHL.
31. Vancouver Canucks via Columbus Blue Jackets - Lukas Dragicevic
Vancouver takes a big swing here on what could be a home run. Dragicevic is an extremely talented offensive defenceman, he put up truly absurd numbers in the WHL. He comes with many concerns though, his defence is shotty and he only recently started playing the position. Don’t be surprised if a team takes a swing at him earlier, the potential is sky high.
32. Vancouver Canucks via Vegas Golden Knights - Danny Nelson
With the final picks in the first round, Vancouver raises some eyebrows by selecting a player than can play both defense and forward at a high level.
And that's it for the Mock Draft! It will be interesting to see how the NHL draft plays out this Wednesday before the VHL one begins on July 3rd!
