HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[SOLR]

Everyone is busy going gaga over all these highly rated goalies, when the real answer in nets is drafting some low key Russian in the sixth round with exceptional size.

There are few of those as well.

2 picks in the 30's (32? & 37)

Here's some names I like... who you like?

Bradley Nadeau
Gavin Brindley
Maxim Strbak
Anton Wahlberg
Jayden Perron

Will any of these guys still be around?

Cristall?
Simashev?
But?

So hard to tell who will be picked... some good ones will be there for sure...

Goalie? No Goalie?
I would prefer taking the G after the 4th round because I think there will be plenty of skaters still available. Hopefully we draft well like we did last year.

Do not draft But, ok thanks bye

 

[Goldenhands]

https://www.tvasports.ca/2023/05/25/matvei-michkov-pourrait-ne-jamais-venir-jouer-dans-la-lnh

Sorry if it has already been posted, its in french, but really worth the google translate. UQAM historian professor, specialized in international sport and Russian politic, talk about the risks of selecting Russian players in the actual geopolitic situation. Rather scary...

 

[L4br3cqu3]

https://www.tvasports.ca/2023/05/25/matvei-michkov-pourrait-ne-jamais-venir-jouer-dans-la-lnh

Sorry if it has already been posted, its in french, but really worth the google translate. UQAM historian professor, specialized in international sport and Russian politic, talk about the risks of selecting Russian players in the actual geopolitic situation. Rather scary...

Teams will still draft russian players, Michkov will get drafted, rightfully so, and anyway, if situation in Ukraine gets worse, at some point hockey may become totally irrelevant in our day-to-day lives, so unless it happens, I prefer to draft a top hockey prospect, wherever he's from.

And it's TVA Spanre, they have an agenda, they'll probably try to push Ethan Gauthier or Etienne Morin soon for the 5th overall.

 

[Naslund]

https://www.tvasports.ca/2023/05/25/matvei-michkov-pourrait-ne-jamais-venir-jouer-dans-la-lnh

Sorry if it has already been posted, its in french, but really worth the google translate. UQAM historian professor, specialized in international sport and Russian politic, talk about the risks of selecting Russian players in the actual geopolitic situation. Rather scary...

Are we surprised? There is no way the team wants to deal with this. Leonard or Wood will be the pick, with Leonard the most likely.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Not sure how you can draw such conclusions after 1 bad turnover, especially when Carsson played wing all season outside of the WJC. Only watched 2 Swedes games this WC, but I thought Carlsson looked really good down the middle in those games. He has more pts than Fantilli while Dvorsky didnt even get an invite. It would be interesting to hear his arguments as why he doesnt seem to be a Carlsson fan, personally I dont really get it.

If my foggy memory serves correctly, Carlsson also played the wing at the WJC.

https://www.tvasports.ca/2023/05/25/matvei-michkov-pourrait-ne-jamais-venir-jouer-dans-la-lnh

Sorry if it has already been posted, its in french, but really worth the google translate. UQAM historian professor, specialized in international sport and Russian politic, talk about the risks of selecting Russian players in the actual geopolitic situation. Rather scary...

Interesting article! It's easy for a fan who is far removed from the situation to say let's take the shiny sexy toy with a top 5 pick. However it sure is hard for the management team with everything at stake to make that commitment. So much uncertainty. I mean...these athletes are scared to wear rainbow colours for fear of the safety of their family. It's very surreal.

 

[Goldenhands]

Teams will still draft russian players, Michkov will get drafted, rightfully so, and anyway, if situation in Ukraine gets worse, at some point hockey may become totally irrelevant in our day-to-day lives, so unless it happens, I prefer to draft a top hockey prospect, wherever he's from.

And it's TVA Spanre, they have an agenda, they'll probably try to push Ethan Gauthier or Etienne Morin soon for the 5th overall.

So you doubt the credibility of the professor interviewed?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

So you doubt the credibility of the professor interviewed?

It's possible, but a bunch if Russians have signed contracts this off season.

 

[Goldthorpe]

Michkov could become the face of the KHL. Politically, he's a symbol.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

My top 3…if no Leo…

Michkov

Benson

Reinbacher

No Dvorsky. Two Slovakian players were the two top picks from ‘22, and while I have faith in Slaf, it could turnout the pair basically bust.

Go for three? Not if it were up to me.

 

[Goldenhands]

If my foggy memory serves correctly, Carlsson also played the wing at the WJC.

Interesting article! It's easy for a fan who is far removed from the situation to say let's take the shiny sexy toy with a top 5 pick. However it sure is hard for the management team with everything at stake to make that commitment. So much uncertainty. I mean...these athletes are scared to wear rainbow colours for fear of the safety of their family. It's very surreal.

You are right, Bystedt centered Carlsson. WC is the only competiton where Carlsson was used down the middle this year, what makes his showing even more impressive.

 

[Milhouse40]

If my foggy memory serves correctly, Carlsson also played the wing at the WJC.

Interesting article! It's easy for a fan who is far removed from the situation to say let's take the shiny sexy toy with a top 5 pick. However it sure is hard for the management team with everything at stake to make that commitment. So much uncertainty. I mean...these athletes are scared to wear rainbow colours for fear of the safety of their family. It's very surreal.

It's real easy for fans to run on whishful thinking and pretend Mitchkov will 100% be in the NHL after his 3 years deal, but the reality is closer to 50-50 with everything that could happen in the future.

I highly doubt this new management will use their 5th overall pick on a prospect that automatically comes with a 3 years waiting period to only end up with a 50-50 chance of maybe bringing him over.

 

[Schooner Guy]

You are right, Bystedt centered Carlsson. WC is the only competiton where Carlsson was used down the middle this year, what makes his showing even more impressive.

My wife's always amazed (but not impressed) at how I can forget about conversations we've had, chores she asked me to do, important dates, names of her friends and colleagues...but I can also remember something of low significance from sports events I've watched going back decades.

It's real easy for fans to run on whishful thinking and pretend Mitchkov will 100% be in the NHL after his 3 years deal, but the reality is closer to 50-50 with everything that could happen in the future.

I highly doubt this new management will use their 5th overall pick on a prospect that automatically comes with a 3 years waiting period to only end up with a 50-50 chance of maybe bringing him over.

Agreed. People sure can get defensive if you suggest that possibility however. Duck for cover!

 

[Andrei79]

Remembering things correctly is important.

Both Heiskanen and Makar were late risers in 2017 which was perceived at the time as a poor draft at the top (similar to last year).

As for Seider, he was a big reach at 6th overall in 2019. Nowhere near a "sure thing future star".

Reinbacher wouldn't be there at 10. He probably won't make it to 7 even if the Habs pass. Those who think that you can easily find a potential top pairing RD in the middle or at the end of the first round are out to lunch. They are rare for a reason.

I think both DGS and Goldenhands were very high on Seider in 2019.

 

[bleuetbio]

So you doubt the credibility of the professor interviewed?

Just focus on what he said!

«S’il n’y avait pas de guerre, je le prendrais tout de suite, car tout se négocierait. Mais là, c’est un gros obstacle»

So no problem with Michkov without war and he would pick him

Im pretty sure the war will be over in 3 years and its about the time that any player outside of the top 5 will need to make NHL or at least to be a player with impact on a rookie - sophomore year. So better draft players for what they are and will be and not for geopolitical factors.

Were not drafting to be good tomorrow.

 

[Team_Spirit]

*trying my best not to make any fresh prince jokes*

wait till 1:20 for the surprise

 

[LesHabitants]

There are few of those as well.



Do not draft But, ok thanks bye

Just to hear "...et le But!" It's worth drafting him.

 

[Team_Spirit]

5*10 and drinking Vodka at age 3 might scare some teams. Potential candidate at 32.

Him and Lane on the PP? Tired of watching the worst PP in the league regardless of the coach. It's a talent issue.

 

[Balthazar]

Im pretty sure the war will be over in 3 years

I'd not bet on that. This war could last a decade+.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I was reading the Sharks' equivalent thread and some guys there really saw a trend last year, whereas whenever they had the opportunity to draft a kid from the Boston area, they basically did. I have no intention to verify if that's true. Honestly I'd be ecstatic.

Lol. Yeah, that's not true at all. San Jose drafted 9 players last year and only 2 were from Boston area. Those are the only 2 Boston area draftees over their last 5 drafts.

They've drafted more players from California (3) than Massachusetts (2). It's probably that they just liked those 2 particular players.

 

[jrom]

Just focus on what he said!

«S’il n’y avait pas de guerre, je le prendrais tout de suite, car tout se négocierait. Mais là, c’est un gros obstacle»

So no problem with Michkov without war and he would pick him

Im pretty sure the war will be over in 3 years and its about the time that any player outside of the top 5 will need to make NHL or at least to be a player with impact on a rookie - sophomore year. So better draft players for what they are and will be and not for geopolitical factors.

Were not drafting to be good tomorrow.

If you read recent MTL media articles on this topic what is currently being hinted is "concerns about Mitchkov's character" and "russian maffia", not "Poutine". Another article relates stories about russian players getting extorted, etc.

Geopolitical risk (war), contractual risk (him extending) and standard hockey risk are all manageable, I don't think it's the real issue.

If you add to that attitude/entourage/russian mob then it really becomes a sticking point, you don't want that player in your core team of youngsters in a town like MTL (not blaming the kid in any of this but his father's death certainly didn't reassure GMs that nothing fishy was going on).

Of course all those media writers have very little credibility and I expect HuGo to poke around that topic to see if it's pre-draft crap to get clicks but it could also be the org starting to "share concerns" with media to prepare the way.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Remembering things correctly is important.

Both Heiskanen and Makar were late risers in 2017 which was perceived at the time as a poor draft at the top (similar to last year).

As for Seider, he was a big reach at 6th overall in 2019. Nowhere near a "sure thing future star".

Reinbacher wouldn't be there at 10. He probably won't make it to 7 even if the Habs pass. Those who think that you can easily find a potential top pairing RD in the middle or at the end of the first round are out to lunch. They are rare for a reason.

All three of these guys “rose late” because they possessed elite traits- traits Reinbacher simply doesn’t possess.

 

[SOLR]

Just to hear "...et le But!" It's worth drafting him.

That's what he said ....about 1 million times on RDS.

 

[bleuetbio]

If you read recent MTL media articles on this topic what is currently being hinted is "concerns about Mitchkov's character" and "russian maffia", not "Poutine". Another article relates stories about russian players getting extorted, etc.

Geopolitical risk (war), contractual risk (him extending) and standard hockey risk are all manageable, I don't think it's the real issue.

If you add to that attitude/entourage/russian mob then it really becomes a sticking point, you don't want that player in your core team of youngsters in a town like MTL (not blaming the kid in any of this but his father's death certainly didn't reassure GMs that nothing fishy was going on).

Of course all those media writers have very little credibility and I expect HuGo to poke around that topic to see if it's pre-draft crap to get clicks but it could also be the org starting to "share concerns" with media to prepare the way.

Obviously, All the factors directly in interactions with Michkov must be considered and taken seriously. I support a massive investigation on the player, but just dont put too much on the fact that his a Russian boy. You're right that Montreal isnt an easy area but their always a way to turn something risky in something brillant.

We got somes concerns back in time with Caufield who likes to be seen and shine. Somes thought it could be a wonderful fit in Montreal, others an ugly one. It put too much pressure on him and it has been ugly at his beginning. His previous coach did a wonderful job with him to save the day. I wish our new management team learn from that.

Every player have their background. Our people must know them and how manage their forces and weakness.

 

[crosbyshow]

It's real easy for fans to run on whishful thinking and pretend Mitchkov will 100% be in the NHL after his 3 years deal, but the reality is closer to 50-50 with everything that could happen in the future.

I highly doubt this new management will use their 5th overall pick on a prospect that automatically comes with a 3 years waiting period to only end up with a 50-50 chance of maybe bringing him over.

It is exactly what a wrote one hundred time since 15 months on this Forum


No one knows.. and can be sure that Michkov.will be here in 3 years...no one.

So those who say thay.Hughes.would be dumb to not draft at 5....those are the dumb.

If he comes for sure..I am all in for Michkov..but in reality no one knows..even himself

 

[le_sean]

It’ll be Leonard. Thinking of those draft videos they released of the scouts discussing in 2022, I feel like Leonard checks all of the boxes of the guys in the room. Great all-around player, high compete, high character. Going to Kent’s alma mater which has a great hockey program. Just seems to fit what they want to build. And let’s be honest, the Habs do lack natural goal scorers after Cole. It’s just a bunch of playmakers on the team and in the system.