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

[NotProkofievian]

After listening to BobbyMac's podcast and watching film for countless hours today, I think I want us to pick Dobson or Kotkaniemi rather then Zadina. Preferably Dobson because Weber will be gone very soon whether it be trade or retirement. Also, It would probably be best to wait until next year for forwards. BCS is we get Dobson at 3 and get another top 10 pick to take Kotkaniemi.

Dobson or Kotkaniemi for me. This is me looking at Wahlstrom...

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Watch Kotkaniemi ending up as the best forward in the draft but apparently because he was not ranked 2nd overall since September the habs should not draft him that his non sense... Same apply for Dobson.

Ryan Johansen before his draft year was a late round pick (if anything) and he rose his stock to 4th overall. Bad pick?

Mark Scheiefele was a complete unknown (or almost) before his draft and ended up 7th overall and ahead of Couturier who was rated 2nd best prospect for a long time most final draft ranking had Scheifele as mid first at best. Was it a bad pick 7th overall?

Riser are rising for a reason. They consistently get better and show trememdous progression and potential during the year.

Faller are usually the one that raise more question marks.

My take on Zadina he started like a lion and ended up very average near the end. Exhaustion? bored? I don't know but compared to the progression of Kotkaniemi and Dobson it gives a bad taste to the mouth. If Dobson and Kotkaniemi continue their progression they should become superstar players.

What I like the most about Kotkaniemi is that he has elite hockey sense and good to great in every categories and he is constantly getting better at everything. He is a wildcard but a pretty damm good bet to become an impact player in the NHL.

 

[yianik]

I liked Kotkaniemi before he vaulted up but I was hoping to snag him with another top pick. I questioned whether he was a reach at 3.

Well then I guess this is where I rest on the fact I am just a fan. So Kotkaniemi would not be an obvious stupid or brilliant pick at 3. Ok. TT has to nail it though. He gets paid to do it, we don't. With 5 picks in the top 62 we need to get 2 top 6 forwards or top 3D from those 5 picks. Stats wise I think our odds are that we should get 1.5 top players from those 5 picks.

 

[Doublechin]

I've been wanting Dobson for a while yet even until recently tons of people had him around 7-9 mainly. For me he is the absolute 3rd best player of the draft and by selecting Kotkaniemi we are going for need.

 

[G0bias]

Warmed up somewhat to Hayton lately after a few more viewings. But I still don't see a catalyst on his line.

He's great at doing the little things - winning his battles, supporting the defence down low and making good decisions with the puck. Also shows good hands and an ability to finish thanks to a quick and accurate shot

That being said, I'm not seeing a ton of creativity in the offensive zone nor someone who sets up his linemates, not at the same level as the guys where he's most often ranked.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Warmed up somewhat to Hayton lately after a few more viewings. But I still don't see a catalyst on his line.

He's great at doing the little things - winning his battles, supporting the defence down low and making good decisions with the puck. Also shows good hands and an ability to finish thanks to a quick and accurate shot

That being said, I'm not seeing a ton of creativity in the offensive zone nor someone who sets up his linemates, not at the same level as the guys where he's most often ranked.

Similar prospect like Poehling?

 

[sandviper]

Liking this simulator!

First Habs draft (no trading):
3. Kotkaniemi, Jesperi [C/LW]
35. Alexeyev, Alexander [LD]
38. Dellandrea, Ty [C]
56. Foudy, Liam [C]
62. Nordgren, Niklas [RW]
66. Wise, Jake [C]
97. Andersson, Axel [RD]
102. Vallati, Giovanni [LD]
121. Pekar, Matej [C/LW]
128. Hillis, Cam [C]

I don’t think Hillis makes it out of the second round, but if this were our actually draft, it would be an awesome haul. I like the Kotkaniemi and Nordgren possible pairing down the road.

 

[G0bias]

Similar prospect like Poehling?

I'd say he has a better shot than Poehling but overall I could see him projected similarly.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'd say he has a better shot than Poehling but overall I could see him projected similarly.

Kind of what I was thinking. He has warmed up to me as well. I'd be OK with a Zadina and Hayton haul after we trade Patch. But I like Zadina and Kotkaniemi more. Having Hayton and Poehling on the depth charts is nice but we need a center with more offensive upside to potentially be a #1C

 

[G0bias]

Kind of what I was thinking. He has warmed up to me as well. I'd be OK with a Zadina and Hayton haul after we trade Patch. But I like Zadina and Kotkaniemi more. Having Hayton and Poehling on the depth charts is nice but we need a center with more offensive upside to potentially be a #1C

The way it's shaping up, we'd need another top 5-6 pick if we want to get Kotkaniemi. Chances of that happening are slim to none.

Instead, why not just pick him at 3 and grab a winger at 9-15 with higher offensive ceilling than Hayton?

 

[Habs Halifax]

The way it's shaping up, we'd need another top 5-6 pick if we want to get Kotkaniemi. Chances of that happening are slim to none.

Instead, why not just pick him at 3 and grab a winger at 9-15 with higher offensive ceilling than Hayton?

I'm OK with either Zadina, Kotkaniemi, or Dobson with the 3rd pick.... leaning towards Kotkaniemi. Then we see what the lowest pick we get for Patch. Oilers, Islanders, and Panthers are options to trade with but hard to say if they are willing to trade their pick. If they are, we would have options to get another grade A prospect. Hughes, Hayton, Veleno (I know), Bouchard, Farabee, Smith, Kupari etc.

I am a fan of getting two grade A prospects in the early part of the 1st round. Then I would even try to make a move to get a LD. Sandin would be my target (Trade 38 and 56 for 20-25 ish if he is still there). Then cross your fingers O'Brien or Dellandrea are available at 35. If not, draft Wise.

There will be options at center in the early part of the 2nd round but not so much with LD. Unless there is some sleeper pick that the Habs are looking at where they know he will likely be around with our 4-2nd's

 

[NotProkofievian]

Warmed up somewhat to Hayton lately after a few more viewings. But I still don't see a catalyst on his line.

He's great at doing the little things - winning his battles, supporting the defence down low and making good decisions with the puck. Also shows good hands and an ability to finish thanks to a quick and accurate shot

That being said, I'm not seeing a ton of creativity in the offensive zone nor someone who sets up his linemates, not at the same level as the guys where he's most often ranked.

Yeah that's a good synopsis. Additionally, he has very good puck skills, and a plus shot. I think people see a kid who is always supporting the puck, defensively competent, and in all other ways ''plays the game the right way,'' who from time to time flashes some pretty serious moves. The idea is that he has the offence which will only become apparent later, but in the meantime, you've got a killer 2 way center.

But take a look at the video, at about 19:50, and slow it down. Dude decides to go 3 on 1 instead of faking the cut wide and back handing a pass to a wide open Kopacka. Durzi either didn't see the turnover and implied danger, or was too stupid to react accordingly, which allows Barrett to beat him easily, which forces an over back-check from the forward (Campbell I think?). So, full marks to Barrett for the aggressive play leading to the scoring chance: he read the play way better than Durzi did. But he doesn't read that one of his guys has to be open. Maybe I'm piling on the kid here, but I see Barry make this kind of play game-in-game-out.

I don't know if the offensive decision making is there for a top 12 pick. At least it hasn't been while I've been watching.

 

[sandviper]

The way it's shaping up, we'd need another top 5-6 pick if we want to get Kotkaniemi. Chances of that happening are slim to none.

Instead, why not just pick him at 3 and grab a winger at 9-15 with higher offensive ceilling than Hayton?

Honestly, that is the best idea. Say we grab Kotkaniemi at #3, arguably the best center in this draft. With our 9-15 pick (assuming we do/get this), I’d rather Farabee or Kravtsov before Hayton.

Would not mind Ty Smith at all if he were still there.

 

[sandviper]

I'm OK with either Zadina, Kotkaniemi, or Dobson with the 3rd pick.... leaning towards Kotkaniemi. Then we see what the lowest pick we get for Patch. Oilers, Islanders, and Panthers are options to trade with but hard to say if they are willing to trade their pick. If they are, we would have options to get another grade A prospect. Hughes, Hayton, Veleno (I know), Bouchard, Farabee, Smith, Kupari etc.

I am a fan of getting two grade A prospects in the early part of the 1st round. Then I would even try to make a move to get a LD. Sandin would be my target (Trade 38 and 56 for 20-25 ish if he is still there). Then cross your fingers O'Brien or Dellandrea are available at 35. If not, draft Wise.

There will be options at center in the early part of the 2nd round but not so much with LD. Unless there is some sleeper pick that the Habs are looking at where they know he will likely be around with our 4-2nd's

Sandin and Alexeyev are plausible LD that may be there for our early seconds. If either one is there, we should grab one. I prefer Alexeyev, but would be stoked with either.

You are right, lots of centers will be there for our seconds, some of which have legit middle-6 floors and top-6 ceilings.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Sandin and Alexeyev are plausible LD that may be there for our early seconds. If either one is there, we should grab one. I prefer Alexeyev, but would be stoked with either.

You are right, lots of centers will be there for our seconds, some of which have legit middle-6 floors and top-6 ceilings.

Not the end of the world but I can see both Sandin and Alexeyev gone before 35. Same as Dellandrea. Not sure about O'Brien. I think he goes early 2nd and right around where we pick. However, it would be a shame if we don't walk away with at least 1 LD prospect with some upside from our 4-2nd's

After doing draftwired a few times, I realized very quick of the limited options at LD.

 

[le_sean]

Dobson or Kotkaniemi for me. This is me looking at Wahlstrom...

That’s like Wahlstrom when he sees that the puck is more than 3 feet away.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Evolution of Kotkaniemi doubters who only show up in the draft thread post lottery:

Take BPA this is drafting for need.
He's not even rated top 10 on many lists!!
Craig Button is stupid lol
Bob said Zadina is the guy
I can't help but think that the Habs needs have drastically changed the list of every scout on every team that Bob interviews but it's still a reach!
I always wanted Kotkaniemi what a pick!! Can't believe he didn't go 2!

 

[WeThreeKings]

That’s like Wahlstrom when he sees that the puck is more than 3 feet away.

That's you when Columbus took Murray at #2 (just teasing bruh)

 

[NotProkofievian]

That’s like Wahlstrom when he sees that the puck is more than 3 feet away.

We would have also accepted:

 

[Saxon]

Liking this simulator!

First Habs draft (no trading):
3. Kotkaniemi, Jesperi [C/LW]
35. Alexeyev, Alexander [LD]
38. Dellandrea, Ty [C]
56. Foudy, Liam [C]
62. Nordgren, Niklas [RW]
66. Wise, Jake [C]
97. Andersson, Axel [RD]
102. Vallati, Giovanni [LD]
121. Pekar, Matej [C/LW]
128. Hillis, Cam [C]

Where do I sign? Hillis at 128.....

 

[Simarino]

I still think a trade with the Coyotes for swapping 1sts should work. Yotes desperately need a RW, and Zadina would compliment them perfectly. I also get the feeling that the Habs would pick Kotkaniemi/Dobson/Zadina and value them all equally. If Ottawa passes on Kotkaniemi we take him, if they do take him, Habs pick Dobson.

I dont think its ever been done before, but lets say you think Zadina is the BPA at 3, but you would prefer Kotkaniemi+the value of going down to 5(domi or Joseph or another pick???).. You draft Zadina at 3 and If Ottawa at 4 dosnt pick Kotkaniemi then the trade is on with Zona, you trade Zadina for the pick(Kotkaniemi) + the compensation for going down.

 

[le_sean]

 

[G0bias]

Yeah that's a good synopsis. Additionally, he has very good puck skills, and a plus shot. I think people see a kid who is always supporting the puck, defensively competent, and in all other ways ''plays the game the right way,'' who from time to time flashes some pretty serious moves. The idea is that he has the offence which will only become apparent later, but in the meantime, you've got a killer 2 way center.

But take a look at the video, at about 19:50, and slow it down. Dude decides to go 3 on 1 instead of faking the cut wide and back handing a pass to a wide open Kopacka. Durzi either didn't see the turnover and implied danger, or was too stupid to react accordingly, which allows Barrett to beat him easily, which forces an over back-check from the forward (Campbell I think?). So, full marks to Barrett for the aggressive play leading to the scoring chance: he read the play way better than Durzi did. But he doesn't read that one of his guys has to be open. Maybe I'm piling on the kid here, but I see Barry make this kind of play game-in-game-out.

I don't know if the offensive decision making is there for a top 12 pick. At least it hasn't been while I've been watching.

Yeah you see the same at 15:55. He's in a 1on1 situation with no back pressure which becomes a 3on2 as a streaking Timmins is coming down with him.

Instead of looking at his options, slowing it down and passing it to Timmins who has a completely open lane to the net now, he decides to go for the toe drag on the last guy back, who has no problem stopping him. Luckily, Durzi seemed to have tripped at the blueline which freed Raddysh.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Who was the last guy who united Grant, the HFHab gang, and Trevor Timmons? McCarron?

 

[NotProkofievian]

Yeah you see the same at 15:55. He's in a 1on1 situation with no back pressure which becomes a 3on2 as a streaking Timmins is coming down with him.

Instead of looking at his options, slowing it down and passing it to Timmins who has a completely open lane to the net now, he decides to go for the toe drag on the last guy back, who has no problem stopping him. Luckily, Durzi seemed to have tripped at the blueline which freed Raddysh.

It's not that he doesn't see it. It's that he doesn't even look for it that makes me think he doesn't really have a great understanding of how goals are scored.