HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[DramaticGloveSave]

One interesting thing Hughes said when asked about the lottery was that rather than be focused on winning which the odds were unlikely, he was just happy they didn’t move down- seemed to signal they have a clear top 5.

 

[SOLR]

He skates better than Smith and about the same as Bedard.

lol...sometimes I wonder what kind of fast forward you use.

He's not Smith and he's far in agility from Bedard, far, far, far never getting there.

 

[Mrb1p]

lol...sometimes I wonder what kind of fast forward you use.

He's not Smith and he's far in agility from Bedard, far, far, far never getting there.

Probably the opposite of the setting you used to categorize Guhle as a slow skater

Benson is an above average skater through and through, theres no way around it.

 

[G0bias]

Ultimately i think it comes down to Smith and Michkov left for San Jose and MTL. With SJS taking Michkov.

Hope i'm wrong

 

[The Great Weal]

Ultimately i think it comes down to Smith and Michkov left for San Jose and MTL. With SJS taking Michkov.

Hope i'm wrong

I hope you aren't because I can't live with myself knowing we passed up on Michkov for Dvorsky.

 

[G0bias]

I hope you aren't because I can't live with myself knowing we passed up on Michkov for Dvorsky.

At 5, the talent level difference between Michkov vs the rest of the pack is simply too great.

Right after the top 4 is exactly where i feel confident MTL would take him.

 

[The Great Weal]

At 5, the talent level difference between Michkov vs the rest of the pack is simply too great.

Right after the top 4 is exactly where i feel confident MTL would take him.

I'm pretty bothered by Hughes comments on how if there is an equally talented player as Michkov available at 5, he would lose the tie.
2 of Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith will not be available with our pick so that means Michkov might be equally talented to Dvorsky/Reinbacher/Leonard/Benson and lose the tie according to him.

 

[Zine]

The comments from Hughes I read is that they haven't looked deeper into his case which means he's only ranked by "video watching" so far and they haven't evaluated his off-ice "character". If they can't interview him, Habs aren't taking him.

Keep in mind, last year the NHL did not invite any Russians to the combine (other than those in the CHL).
Nobody had the chance to directly interview or physically test those guys. Will it be the same this year? No idea.



That said, it shouldnt be difficult to send some representative to talk to Michkov. That’s what the Caps did with Miroshnichenko, on Skype.
But it does pose some uncertainties nonetheless.

 

[G0bias]

I'm pretty bothered by Hughes comments on how if there is an equally talented player as Michkov available at 5, he would lose the tie.
2 of Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith will not be available with our pick so that means Michkov might be equally talented to Dvorsky/Reinbacher/Leonard/Benson and lose the tie according to him.

I think he was saying it in the extremely unlikely event a 2-4 team goes off the board, and two of the first group are there. Basically he was including that first group in that quote.

Strictly talent speaking, no one who has watched Michkov would think that second group is remotely close. It would be for other reasons, whether its testings, interviews, off-ice stuff etc.

 

[The Great Weal]

I think he was saying it in the extremely unlikely event a 2-4 team goes off the board, and two of the first group are there. Basically he was including that first group in that quote.

Strictly talent speaking, no one who has watched Michkov would think that second group is remotely close.

Sam Jose’s GM in comparison sounded way more convincing that they could draft Michkov in my opinion.

 

[G0bias]

Sam Jose’s GM in comparison sounded way more convincing that they could draft Michkov in my opinion.

Grier just doing his job. I'd do the same even if i was leaning Smith/Carlsson and had Michkov as a DND. But yes.

 

[yianik]

Early days yet so we are still figuring out the Hughes approach and what he values.

Character is important , but it's importance is different for hockey than for dating your daughter. Lol, Slaf and his living on his own at 14 was real big for Hughes.

There is 0 chance Montreal doesn't have people in Russia viewing and finding out about this kid.

This 3 year contract. Don't players in the KHL have the ability to break the contract on payment of a penalty ? Why has this been forgotten and assumed he won't come over for 3 years ?

The one thing I disliked from Hughes is he said that if Michkov is that far ahead in talent than anybody else, they will have to look at things. Why does he have to be so far ahead for us to take him ? So he has to be Crosby or else we take Plekanec , because him being Hughes is not good enough?

HUGO said they wanted not just to win, but do it with an exciting and fun team to watch. That means high skill players. It's at these levels you have the best chance if snagging elite talent, you have to go for it unless there is a real good reason to not do it. And don't overthink it.

And again, I'm all for offering packages to move up, especially to no.3. Now is the time to make the big moves.

 

[SOLR]

Probably the opposite of the setting you used to categorize Guhle as a slow skater

Benson is an above average skater through and through, theres no way around it.

Stop misrepresenting what I am saying about Guhle. It's 100% aligned with what I said about him.

Benson is not above average, he's average (while he's improving). He can handle the puck well at his top speed, this makes him play fast.

"Average skater"
"ugly skater"

Zach Benson | Zach Benson Profile | Zach Benson Scouting Report 2023

Zach Benson scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Zach Benson stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

I'm starting to think your only measurement of skating is when a player can take 10 strides in a straight line.

 

[le_sean]

One interesting thing Hughes said when asked about the lottery was that rather than be focused on winning which the odds were unlikely, he was just happy they didn’t move down- seemed to signal they have a clear top 5.

Or he thinks the NHL has a clear Top 5 and that someone will pay a lot to move up. He’s an agent, I think all of his words are very calculated. He won’t give anything away.

 

[le_sean]

I know he’s obviously not coming to Montreal but I very much appreciate Bedard’s interviews. A generational talent and his attitude is always “I’m just happy to be drafted, wherever I go”. Meanwhile bitch boy last year folds when his team needs him the most and says “I deserve to go 1st”

 

[Egresch]

This will be very exciting draft:
- Who will be available at 5?
- If it is Michkov, will we draft him or trade the pick?
- Will we trade for PLD?
- Who will be our Florida pick? Goalie, RHD? Same for 2rd.

 

[ReHabs]

I think Michkov might be nabbed before 5.

I also no longer think there is a definitive top5 but rather a top4 + Smith who is a cut below.

This piece on Michkov tells me that (1) he is a must draft and (2) it’s likely he will be seriously evaluated by SJS at 4OA.

A prospect like Michkov at 4OA is such a coup, at 5OA it is unheard of… only in Habsland are we actually concerned they will not pick him and our GM actually fuels these concerns.

Draft Matvei Michkov as High As You Can

What to Make of the Unique Prospect We Have Ever Seen

chacemccallum.substack.com

 

[Mrb1p]

Stop misrepresenting what I am saying about Guhle. It's 100% aligned with what I said about him.

Benson is not above average, he's average (while he's improving). He can handle the puck well at his top speed, this makes him play fast.

"Average skater"
"ugly skater"

Zach Benson | Zach Benson Profile | Zach Benson Scouting Report 2023

Zach Benson scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Zach Benson stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

I'm starting to think your only measurement of skating is when a player can take 10 strides in a straight line.

I mean, lets pretend for a second we both care about these little snippets but one of them calls him an average skater.

The rest:

Bob McKenzie - TSN - Sept. 22nd: "The Winnipeg Ice fireplug sub-6-foot winger is a high-energy, hard-driving, in-your-face player. He’s not a pretty skater but he more than gets there, and when he does, he has the ability to score, make plays, and be a disruptive influence."

Hes not a pretty skater thats for sure, hes not super fluid and he's fast because he keeps his feet moving and has good edges. "More than gets there" doesn't suggest average.

Peter Baracchini - The Hockey Writers - Sept. 27th: "He plays with a lot of energy as his motor never stops. He has a great work ethic, speed and hands to be extremely difficult to contain in the offensive zone."

Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - Oct. 19th: "Unbelievably skilled player who drives play. Benson handles the puck well, especially at top speed and makes those around him better."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - Nov. 1st: "Benson’s a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration (though he’s not explosive), can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel-to-heel, thrives in traffic,

 

[Vachon23]

This will be very exciting draft:
- Who will be available at 5?
- If it is Michkov, will we draft him or trade the pick?
- Will we trade for PLD?
- Who will be our Florida pick? Goalie, RHD? Same for 2rd.

I do think if they select Michkov, they will try whatever they can to trade for PLD so at least they will have someone for the next 3 years

 

[McGees]

Hughes also repeated multiple times, wanting to pick the player that will have the best/longest NHL career.

 

[BenchBrawl]

MICHKOV OU LES PLUMES ET LE GOUDRON POUR HUGO

 

[NotProkofievian]

Who is everyone's non-Michkov pick?

 

[BergevinBurner]

Who is everyone's non-Michkov pick?

Assuming the other top 4 are gone then I'd have Leonard, Dvorsky, Reinbacher and Benson all pretty close together. I think out of those guys I'd prefer Leonard though, he seems like the kind of player that GMs dream about having for the playoffs.

 

[Naslund]

Who is everyone's non-Michkov pick?

Wood. He’s a 6’4” Suzuki on the wing out there, with even better shooting skills.

I think Wood will be a fantastic regular season player, but I do agree that somebody like Leonard may be a playoff warrior. Tough choice. Will be happy with either. Not super interested anymore in the other names mentioned, but they all look like great prospects.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Wood. He’s a 6’4” Suzuki on the wing out there, with even better shooting skills.

Based.