2018 NHL Entry Draft Thread (Less then 24 Hours Edition)

[Draft]

Wings are supposedly really high on Bouchard.

He's not a fun, sexy pick to scout. He's not under the radar, he's not playing in a league that's hard to scout, he's not playing in a secondary role or getting limited minutes, he's not a really young pick, he doesn't play a high-risk style, and his issues are either coachable or something to work on in training.

However, he's been absolutely dominant and essentially his entire team's offence when he's on the ice. If playing fewer minutes helps his skating and compete level for defensively, he could be an awesome player with a pretty high ceiling and reasonable floor.

 

[Fazkovsky]

3rd round candidates ? Milos Roman Or sampo ranta?

 

[Andrei79]

He's not a fun, sexy pick to scout. He's not under the radar, he's not playing in a league that's hard to scout, he's not playing in a secondary role or getting limited minutes, he's not a really young pick, he doesn't play a high-risk style, and his issues are either coachable or something to work on in training.

However, he's been absolutely dominant and essentially his entire team's offence when he's on the ice. If playing fewer minutes helps his skating and compete level for defensively, he could be an awesome player with a pretty high ceiling and reasonable floor.

That last part, I really think it does. Ive watched almost all of his games in the second half and he looked like a guy overplayed, starting first periods strong then tailing off by the third.

His stickwork is great, so is his ability to get shot through and spot his teammates. I just wonder if he has more than a 2D upside (20 mins D whos great in transition and on the PP), like Hughes and Smith. Boqvist and Dobson are who I tend to project as all situation number 1 guys.

Anyways, point being that yeah, he's a solid pick anywhere in that 3-10 group.

 

[Habby Patty]

Does anyone know why Montreal hasn't invited anyone to the city and the facility? Svechnikov was in Carolina today so I guess are dreams of him falling to 3 are over and after hearing Zadina's comments and finding out he was in Ottawa today, I feel like the order is going to go 1. Dahlin 2. Svech 3. ????? 4. Zadina. Im just curious as to why none of the prospects were invited to Montreal. Maybe they were but does anyone know?

 

[Mrb1p]

I said "likely", because there aren't many ppg centers who also go on historic playoff runs. He's already tied Crosby's highest playoff point total.

He also combines most of Kotkaniemi's skillset with one of the most beautiful skating strides I've seen.

I see him more as a Granlund/O'Reilly production level. Anything more would be gravy.

Yeah, well, I struggle with that. I don't think the "normal" Kuzy is that far removed from O'reilly or what Kotkaniemi could be. He's not that 30+ Playoffs performer, just like Couture is not that guy, and just like Briere was not that guy. Hes a good 1C, but not a guy thats elite or anything.

 

[Mrb1p]

3rd round candidates ? Milos Roman Or sampo ranta?

Roman is good in the 2nd, Ranta is great in the third.

 

[Gaston Gingras]

This is the most important draft in more than a decade for the Canadiens. They didn’t waste much time interviewing Dahlin, but they did conduct extensive interviews with the other top prospects — forwards Andrei Svechnikov, Filip Zadina and Brady Tkachuk, and defencemen Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson.

 

[Habs76]

3rd round candidates ? Milos Roman Or sampo ranta?

I definitely think Roman has some NHL potential, he's fast.

 

[Habs76]

 

[crosbyshow]

Hughes at third. Best skater in the draft....so smart and spectacular.

We will regret it if we don't pick him

 

[Andrei79]

Yeah, well, I struggle with that. I don't think the "normal" Kuzy is that far removed from O'reilly or what Kotkaniemi could be. He's not that 30+ Playoffs performer, just like Couture is not that guy, and just like Briere was not that guy. Hes a good 1C, but not a guy thats elite or anything.

He already has two seasons neither O'reilly or Couture will ever sniff at. I'm not sure if Brière supports your point either as post-lockout pre-injury Brière was a premiere offensive center. And in his career as a whole, he was one of the premiere playoff players.

But regarding Kuznetsov, just in the last 3 years, he has a top 5, a top 10 and was on the fringe of the top 15 for point producers amongst centers. So yeah, objective measures and comparisons show he's elite. He's even showing it having went head to head and come out ahead against two teams with HOF centers in this very post-season.

 

[Habs76]

Heh, 4 of my top 5 are dmen

 

[Runner77]

Does anyone know why Montreal hasn't invited anyone to the city and the facility? Svechnikov was in Carolina today so I guess are dreams of him falling to 3 are over and after hearing Zadina's comments and finding out he was in Ottawa today, I feel like the order is going to go 1. Dahlin 2. Svech 3. ????? 4. Zadina. Im just curious as to why none of the prospects were invited to Montreal. Maybe they were but does anyone know?

If we start to extrapolate from these kinds of detective clues, then 3 is either Dobson or Kotkaniemi, FWIW. We're gifting Zadina to Ottawa.

 

[Habs76]

I've said it before but I'll say it again- I'm not gonna be disappointed if we pick Tkachuk, even if he's not an HF favorite, because he as a player is one of my favorites- just not the same caliber player as some other options.

 

[Habs76]

If we start to extrapolate from these kinds of detective clues, then 3 is either Dobson or Kotkaniemi, FWIW. We're gifting Zadina to Ottawa.

Nah we're not though, Zadina is overrated and you have to keep in mind, he's a 1999 birth year.

I've narrowed it down to Boqvist, Dobson, Kotkaniemi, Hughes. Or a trade down. Hopefully a trade down.

 

[Mrb1p]

Nah we're not though, Zadina is overrated and you have to keep in mind, he's a 1999 birth year.

I've narrowed it down to Boqvist, Dobson, Kotkaniemi, Hughes. Or a trade down. Hopefully a trade down.

Dont sleep on Bouchard IMO. Wahlstrom is the only one out of it for me.

 

[Habs76]

Dont sleep on Bouchard IMO. Wahlstrom is the only one out of it for me.

Yeah, I don't think we pick Bouchard just because of those Timmins comments about wanting the best player in the long-term, and not rush for a short term fix.

Wahlstrom... yeah I don't like him, he's loaded with talent but god he plays like an absolute p***y.

 

[Riggins]

It's not like Zadina knows, he's speculating. Here's the actual quote (from an article that's mostly about Tkachuk):

Brotherly battles helped prepare NHL draft prospect Brady Tkachuk for next level

“Montreal, I know very well,” he said. “I’ve been to the city many times and the fans are awesome. But they’re looking for a centre or a D. Ottawa, I’ve been there when we played in Gatineau. It’s the capital of Canada, so it would mean a lot to play there. It will be good if it’s either Montreal or Ottawa.”

 

[Mrb1p]

Yeah, I don't think we pick Bouchard just because of those Timmins comments about wanting the best player in the long-term, and not rush for a short term fix.

Wahlstrom... yeah I don't like him, he's loaded with talent but god he plays like an absolute *****.

Bouchard could have one of the highest ceiling along with his floor, I like Bouchards ceiling a lot more than I like Dobson's. Really don't believe the "short term" with him. Hes a better project than Dobson IMO.

 

[Habs76]

Bouchard could have one of the highest ceiling along with his floor, I like Bouchards ceiling a lot more than I like Dobson's. Really don't believe the "short term" with him. Hes a better project than Dobson IMO.

I don't see how Dobson has the lower floor when Bouchard is a one-trick pony when it comes to producing offense and has defensive question marks.

I just can't see Dobson being less than a #3.

 

[WinterLion]

I love it! Everyone has a different guy!! Fun!!


Gonna be a LOT of second guessing this year. Not an easy spot for Timmins. There will almost certainly be someone better taken after us.... but I hope not!

 

[Bacchus1]

it was a big rumor that he was addicted to video games and might never play in the NHL because of it.

FWIW:

No, Olli Juolevi isn’t playing too many video games. But someone is, and that needs consideration

 

[WinterLion]

I don't see how Dobson has the lower floor when Bouchard is a one-trick pony when it comes to producing offense and has defensive question marks.

I just can't see Dobson being less than a #3.

Dobson will log a lot of minutes that's for sure.

 

[WinterLion]

I've said it before but I'll say it again- I'm not gonna be disappointed if we pick Tkachuk, even if he's not an HF favorite, because he as a player is one of my favorites- just not the same caliber player as some other options.

I'm with you. He is a beast and a very special player. He would not be my pick, and I get why people are not into him. I don't think he is a great fit here... but he is a hell of a prospect and he will be a force in the NHL.

 

[Noble]

Man, the best draft day meltdown might be on r/habs if we don't draft Zadina.

The biggest meltdown won't be if we don't draft Zadina, it will be if we draft Tkachuk.

I've already asked to be premptively banned for 24 hours if the Habs pick Tkachuk 3rd OV. There will be no entertainment from me on here.

Only pure, passionate, unaltered rage experienced only by myself and my neighbours.