Likely the two prospects that will be considered by the CBJ at the 3rd overall pick, lets compare the two here and now…
**Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro (SWEDEN)**
Dec. 26, 2004 | 6′ 3.0″ | 198 pounds | Shoots left
Condensed Stats:
|Year|League|GP|Goals|Assists|Points|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|2021-2022|SHL|35|3|6|9|
|2021-2022|International Jr|11|6|4|10|
|2022-2023|SHL|44|10|15|25|
|2022-2023|International Jr|15|10|7|17|
**Exciting Stat:** Only 2 draft-eligible players have ever recorded more SHL playoff points than Leo Carlsson’s 8 so far this spring: Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
According to Corey Pronman of The Athletic:
**Tier:** Projected NHL All-Star
**Skating:** Below NHL average
**Puck skills:** High-end
**Hockey sense:** Above NHL average
**Compete:** Above NHL average
**Player comparable:** Mikko Rantanen
Points to consider:
* He has played the past 2 years in the SHL, a men’s league.
* He has played mostly wing in the SHL, but his coach, and most scouts see him making the transition to center.
* He will be playing in the upcoming World Championships for Sweden… [https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueJackets/comments/13cm9hp/leo\_carlsson\_makes\_the\_final\_roster\_for\_sweden\_at/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueJackets/comments/13cm9hp/leo_carlsson_makes_the_final_roster_for_sweden_at/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* Has been considered the number 3/4 draft pick for the past year.
* Has a chance to play in the NHL next year, but likely needs another year of growth.
Video: [https://youtu.be/j93zGZJ8sds](https://youtu.be/j93zGZJ8sds)
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**William Smith, C, USA U-18 (NTDP)**
Mar. 17, 2005 | 5′ 11.75″ | 181 pounds | Shoots right
Condensed Stats:
|Year|League|GP|Goals|Assists|Points|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|2021-2022| USNTDP Juniors(USHL)|36|14|14|28|
|2021-2022| USA U18 WJC-18|4|2|2|4|
|2022-2023| USNTDP Juniors (USHL) |20|15|27|42|
|2022-2023| USA U18 WJC-18|7|9|11|20|
**Exciting Stat:** Will Smith’s 127 points in 60 games bested both Jack Hughes and Auston Matthews in their time with the US National u18s.
According to Corey Pronman of The Athletic:
**Tier:** Projected NHL All-Star
**Skating:** NHL average
**Puck skills:** High-end
**Hockey sense:** Above NHL average
**Compete:** NHL average
**Shot:** Above NHL average
**Player comparable:** Evgeny Kuznetsov
Points to Consider:
* Has committed to play at Boston College next season and will be there at least a year.
* Some scouts knock him for being on a forward line with other great players that will also go in the first round.
* Not overly physical.
* He has shot up draft boards lately due to his recent play.
* Named MVP of the 2023 U18 World Championships.
Video: [https://youtu.be/Bt8opvK-kGg](https://youtu.be/Bt8opvK-kGg)
​
Personally, I prefer Carlsson over Smith, but see both as being fantastic players. Carlsson has been playing against men and tougher, large competition than Smith. I am excited to see him play in a few weeks here at the World Championships. As mentioned, according to The Athletic’s Pronman, both are projected NHL All-Stars with nice comparables.
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Go Jackets!
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Sources:
[https://theathletic.com/4476608/2023/05/03/nhl-draft-2023-rankings-corey-pronman-will-smith/](https://theathletic.com/4476608/2023/05/03/nhl-draft-2023-rankings-corey-pronman-will-smith/)
[https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/448944/leo-carlsson](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/448944/leo-carlsson)
[https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/615470/will-smith](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/615470/will-smith)
by Hugo_Stiglitz95
21 Comments
Both are great. No doubt both will have a great career in the nhl. I would go for Leo hence he has successfully played against men already, what I have understood so far is that SHL is one the best leaques in Europe. But that is just cherry on top of the cake, Leo has a better frame for center
My inclination is also Carlsson, but I have admittedly never seen either play live.
No contest. Leo is a 1OA pick in many previous drafts. You do not pass on him.
Gotta take Carlsson
I really don’t follow the prospects much. Is there a reason so many people hate on Smith? I remember when we were winning people were complaining we were gonna get stuck with him.
I mean Carlsson seems better here but Smith is sure close
I’m just happy that neither’s rights are retained by juniors which means they can join at least the AHL as soon as next year. (Right?)
Am I the only one concerned with Leo’s skating as well as not playing center much? we need a center badly
If Anaheim does something unexpected, we take Fantilli. Otherwise it’s Carlsson. Anyone else would be a mistake (unless Bedard falls to 3 😂)
Leo Carlsson is arguably the best player in this draft. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go ahead of Fantilli.
Get Carlsson, give him a full year as Cleveland’s 1C and let him get 10lbs bigger to fill out his frame, then going into 2024-2025 season we’ll have a 6’3 210lb NHL-ready 1C.
Its an obvious choice imo. Carlsson has been playing in a men’s league with success while Will Smith is playing in the U18. It’d be a disappointment if Smith didn’t put up good numbers, especially with his linemates.
You have to go with Leo.
Didn’t Bemstrom play against men in the SHL and fair really well? I say that tongue-in-cheek but that comparison always makes me cringe a little. I have zero knowledge just always a little leery until they play in North America.
Porty seems convinced the Jackets will be drafting Big Willy Style. Was on 97.1 talking about how much CBJ like Smith.
If it’s anything other than Leo I think it’s the wrong pick for the team. Leo is going to be a menace in the middle of Johnny and patty (assuming patty doesn’t actually play center this year)
Knowing jarmo he’s going to pick a guy with a 3rd round grade who’s asleep in Russia or something
Would Carlsson be able to play here this coming season?
I’m hopeful that Bedard called a kid fat in 4th grade so he slips down the draft board.
Apple vs Orange
It’s crazy to me how a good few months has people legitimately considering Smith over Carlsson. Smith was playing in juniors with 2 high-first-round picks on his line. Carlsson assembled a respectable season against grown-ass men.
Are we throwing out the possibility of drafting Michkov completely?
I loved what I saw in this last U-18 tourney from Smith. I don’t know exactly why, but I think he has a lot higher ceiling.
Will Smith can scrap. Straight up bitch smacked a man on national TV a while back.