Toggle sidebar

HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

  • Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it. Click Here for Updates
Status
Not open for further replies.
Is Tkachuk really the comparable for Leonard? I could have sworn the former was a better playmaker than Leonard at the time of the draft and had demonstrated a better feel for

I wouldn't hate Leonard at 5 and would definitely love to grab a player who could compliment elite players like he can; I also think he's constantly being compared to better former prospects than he based on a love of his playstyle.
 
Kobe Armstrong said:
Seems like Montreal's draft interview strategy is to ask a bunch of random questions where the answer means nothing, but if they like hanging out with you and think you're cute they'll rank you #1
Click to expand...
Maybe they'll even dust off the old $50 in the toilet scenario or else what is your spirit animal question...
 
As much as I adore Smith's puck skills, vision, and ability to drive offensive plays, it's hard for me to ignore his lack of engagement, carelessness with the puck at times, and lack of physical play, at least as a casual viewer (I wouldn't call myself a scout!).

Is it perhaps that he doesn't need to engage much at this level to suit his playstyle and be successful with the USNTDP? Will he, and can he, tailor his game so he's more engaged at the NHL level?

I just don't know how much I want a skilled player who doesn't engage much in the game (*cough* Drouin *cough*).

With Leonard, it seems easier to project the his NHL impact and he has a lot of skill too... although he does not have the same level of vision and play driving ability that Smith has.

With everything in consideration, I'd probably be happy with either, or Benson. It's exciting to have a player with this potential joining the prospect pool... but I'd be even happier with Michkov.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Grate n Colorful Oz, HomeAndHome, Boris Le Tigre and 1 other person
Kobe Armstrong said:
Seems like Montreal's draft interview strategy is to ask a bunch of random questions where the answer means nothing, but if they like hanging out with you and think you're cute they'll rank you #1
Click to expand...
Nah, they go and make these questions with a wide variety of answers and those answers tells the team what type of person you are.

Psychology is whacked.
 
NotProkofievian said:
I would prefer option 2, myself. I just wonder how many people in this thread think the same.
Click to expand...
So, If I have this right. Based on your own hypotheticals.
You would prefer a scenario where : Bedard tops out at 85 points for Chicago, and who everyone else picked after, 2 to 5, including our own pick, all bust and don't amount to anything, Including Reinbacher.
Over the scenario :
Everyone busts including Bedard, except Reinbacher.
?
 
I went back to my rankings for last year's draft. I had Nazar very high (like no.3 high) and I'd like to know you guys' opinion of Nazar vs. Leonard. I feel like Leonard can do everything Nazar does, while being 2" taller, 25 pounds heavier and playing better defense. Am I out to lunch?
 
  • Like
Reactions: SlafySZN
NekkiChiconey said:
I went back to my rankings for last year's draft. I had Nazar very high (like no.3 high) and I'd like to know you guys' opinion of Nazar vs. Leonard. I feel like Leonard can do everything Nazar does, while being 2" taller, 25 pounds heavier and playing better defense. Am I out to lunch?
Click to expand...
You're not. Leonard is everything Nasar is + is a dog.

He's a facilitator, but he also generates.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MarkovsKnee and NekkiChiconey
Kennerback said:
Nuge is a better skater but he’s a low intensity player. Smith is more intense offensively.

Smith is a much better stickhandler and a lot more creative with the puck.
Click to expand...
Nuge put 106 pts on the board in his draft year, he had very good hands and playmaking skills, its too far for me to recall exactly how he was in junior, but his weak frame is quite similar to Smith's one and as far as I remember, both loved to play east-west and slow the pace down.



RNH is actually the best comparable I can think of when it comes to Smith. Not a bad player, but not really a center or an impact player, not someone that will win you games in playoffs either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MarkovsKnee and waitin425
Vachon23 said:


Must read for many here…
Click to expand...

Among the risks of taking Mitchu, the article says that Hughes will meet with the press tomorrow morning to talk about the Habs approach to the draft.

“Hughes rencontrera la presse jeudi matin à Buffalo. Le DG du CH parlera de ses plans pour le repêchage et il répondra assurément à des questions sur Michkov”
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boris Le Tigre, Redux91 and Skip Bayless
Leonard is a bigger RHP with better hands, shooting skills and scoring instincts, he is going to be a fan favorite since he plays relentless on both sides of the puck, motor never stops, will block shots and do everything to win games. He is hard to knock off the puck and has impressive overall strength for a 18 yrs old kid. Skating isnt pretty looking in term of agility, but thats powerful and deceptive.

I like him alot, have him ranked 7th after Reinbacher and Dvorsky, he is the type of player that scouts love and will be in the discussions for the Habs at 5 no doubt.

The only "downside" about Leonard is that he is probably already playing at the size he will weight at the NHL level, his frame is almost fullfilled already. He is also not the tallest player and I wonder if his playing style will be durable down the road against men, kid is hard on his body.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: HomeAndHome, Weber Fan, Boris Le Tigre and 1 other person
Kennerback said:
The only question to ask is will he play in the NHL like every Russian for more than 30 years or not? Or in another way: Will he be the first Russian player in 30 years to not make it to the NHL ? The rest is fluff.
Click to expand...
The past 30 years doesn't mean anything right now since Russia is not in the same situation.

I mean Executive, Agents and Scout are all concern about this situation and they don't know what happen. Time for some to understand that they are things that go way farther then hockey with Michkov and they are 0 guarantee that Michkov is gonna play in the NHL
 
  • Like
Reactions: Harry Kakalovich, Schooner Guy and Goldenhands
Vachon23 said:
The past 30 years doesn't mean anything right now since Russia is not in the same situation.

I mean Executive, Agents and Scout are all concern about this situation and they don't know what happen. Time for some to understand that they are things that go way farther then hockey with Michkov and they are 0 guarantee that Michkov is gonna play in the NHL
Click to expand...

The article basically reiterates that the world is a dangerous place. Close to 1% of the people you know will die in a car crash.


During the Soviet Union there were also wars. Including in Afghanistan, which the Soviet lost. Since then they’ve been involved in Chechnya which was also condemned by the West. Life goes on.

It likely quotes one or 2 GM who are in a situation where the last thing on their mind is Michkov. It’s obvious because they mix up terms like mobilization and conscription. There’s nothing concrete on why he ‘ll be the first Russian not to come.

Simple questions answered like is he on a no fly list? Is he in the Army reserve? Would have some interest. Reality is he’s coming to NA sooner than you think to the team that picks him.
 
Kennerback said:
The article basically reiterates that the world is a dangerous place. Close to 1% of the people you know will die in a car crash.


During the Soviet Union there were also wars. Including in Afghanistan, which the Soviet lost. Since then they’ve been involved in Chechnya which was also condemned by the West. Life goes on.

It likely quotes one or 2 GM who are in a situation where the last thing on their mind is Michkov. It’s obvious because they mix up terms like mobilization and conscription. There’s nothing concrete on why he ‘ll be the first Russian not to come.

Simple questions answered like is he on a no fly list? Is he in the Army reserve? Would have some interest. Reality is he’s coming to NA sooner than you think to the team that picks him.
Click to expand...
Ok so a random posters on HFboard that have 0 information on that situation knows better what is happening with Michkov then Executive, Agent, Scouts that have access to informations ?

And for you exemple of no Russian staying in russia, what about Alexander Radulov or Ilya Kovalchuk ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: McGees
Goldenhands said:
Leonard is a bigger RHP with better hands, shooting skills and scoring instincts, he is going to be a fan favorite since he plays relentless on both sides of the puck, motor never stops, will block shots and do everything to win games. He is hard to knock off the puck and has impressive overall strength for a 18 yrs old kid. Skating isnt pretty looking in term of agility, but thats powerful and deceptive.

I like him alot, have him ranked 7th after Reinbacher and Dvorsky, he is the type of player that scouts love and will be in the discussions for the Habs at 5 no doubt.

The only "downside" about Leonard is that he is probably already playing at the size he will weight at the NHL level, his frame is almost fullfilled already. He is also not the tallest player and I wonder if his playing style will be durable down the road against men, kid is hard on his body.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't be worried about size. Smarts play a huge part into physicality as well, and he seems to understand that. I'm thinking that he can bring what Bennett has been bringing in these playoffs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RandomTask26 and Goldenhands
Vachon23 said:
Ok so a random posters on HFboard that have 0 information on that situation knows better what is happening with Michkov then Executive, Agent, Scouts that have access to informations ?

And for you exemple of no Russian staying in russia, what about Alexander Radulov or Ilya Kovalchuk ?
Click to expand...
The information is open source, any one that wants to access it, can. The journalist and GM didn’t. I don’t fault them. It‘s not crafted as an investigative journalist piece.

Are those 2 players being forced to stay there, or they want to finish their career there for money or family? Are they on a no-fly list? 8 Million Russians are. Is Michkov on?
 
Vachon23 said:
That's where NHL executive and agent have information and we don't
Click to expand...
We do. There are today specific categories of Russians that can’t leave. Including people who haven’t paid child support. Michkov can’t be conscripted because they just changed the ages of conscriptions from 18 to 27 to 20 to 30. So the pool is wider but the recruits are older. Furthermore conscription used to be 2 years now it’s one year.


Conscription is not mobilization. To fight in Ukraine you need to be mobilized. Who is mobilized? As a rule you need to be in the Army reserve. The Russian families we hear on TV complaining are parents of reservists. I’m more worried that Michkov doesn’t wear his seatbelt or goes cave diving than be stuck in the military.
 
Goldenhands said:
Leonard is a bigger RHP with better hands, shooting skills and scoring instincts, he is going to be a fan favorite since he plays relentless on both sides of the puck, motor never stops, will block shots and do everything to win games. He is hard to knock off the puck and has impressive overall strength for a 18 yrs old kid. Skating isnt pretty looking in term of agility, but thats powerful and deceptive.

I like him alot, have him ranked 7th after Reinbacher and Dvorsky, he is the type of player that scouts love and will be in the discussions for the Habs at 5 no doubt.

The only "downside" about Leonard is that he is probably already playing at the size he will weight at the NHL level, his frame is almost fullfilled already. He is also not the tallest player and I wonder if his playing style will be durable down the road against men, kid is hard on his body.
Click to expand...
Might go like Gallagher.

Just need to get away from him at the right time unlike Bergevin.
 
TheDogCerby said:
Might go like Gallagher.

Just need to get away from him at the right time unlike Bergevin.
Click to expand...
I don't see it. If Gallagher could still skate or had been able to at any point in his career, he'd probably still be effective. Leonard has more than enough in his arsenal to avoid just standing in front of the net in hopes of getting beat up and leading to a goal.

In terms of raw skill and hockey iq, Gallagher and Leonard shouldn't even be in the same sentence.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SlafySZN and JeffreyLFC
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom