HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[SannywithoutCompy]

Hes big and has great hands but theres nothing there aside from that. Mid 2nd for me.

But has nowhere near a good shot.

Yeah you also told me Smith is a poor skater so I think maybe we're just watching the games differently

 

[SwiftyHab]

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Yeah, you're a big Carlsson guy. I'm a big Michkov guy.

So the same reasons you would blow up San Jose's phone for Carlsson are those I would for Michkov.

I think they will both be stars but I think Carlsson is more of what we need and I believe he is a better fit with MSL and the organization with a strong commitment to learning to be a complete player who will not only potentially lead the team in scoring but also be a force in the playoffs.

I grew up with the Habs expecting to win Cups and at the very least contend for Cups so I am of the opinion that you use your top draft selections with the Stanley Cup in mind as the main goal. Picking high scoring players who do not perform in the playoffs has the opposite effect as they tie up salary and tie the team's hands behind their back. This is in no way meant as an attack on Michkov as he may end up as a great playoff performer but I prefer Carlsson when viewed through this lens. Big strong play driving centers are just too valuable when games become tighter and possession is contested in a more aggressive/physical manner.

 

[Kennerback]

Habs need to ask themselves how much are they leaving on the table if he’s available and they pass? We know he’s going to be a superstar yet we pass. Why is there other teams that won’t pass?

The other thing is if ownership is involved in the decision, it’s going to be a historical clusterf***.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Note: Hughes said at this point if there's a talent equal to Michkov Michkov will lose that competition, but that they still haven't completed their investigation into the Russian factor. He said they wanted to wait until after the lottery, because if they won the lottery, there would be no need to spend such time, because they'd be picking Bedard.

I also think San Jose or Anaheim pick Michkov, and he's not available at 5.

Right, they're doing their due process which is what you want to see for any draft pick. It will come down to how hard they think SKA Petersburg will make it to sign him. That's an extremely powerful KHL organization.

But, that is true for any team and not particular to Montreal. Washington has an advantage as Ovechkin can definitely advocate on their behalf.

I think Montreal would be ok with 3 years not so sure about 5 years. I'm sure there'll be talks with Michkov's agent over the ensuing weeks, as well as interviews with Michkov once he arrives for the draft.

I plan on maintaining a positive focus on it.

Hughes hasn't said he's DND. He said they plan on following due process, that he'd lose a tie & that they'd take BPA. All of that is common sense to me & doesn't require the panic that has enveloped the board.

I'm 80% sure he won't be at #5 anyway. Chicago is taking Bedard. Anaheim will take Fantilli or Carlsson. Columbus has already said they're taking a center. Probably who is left of Fantilli or Carlsson.

Pretty sure San Jose will take him.

 

[26Mats]

I think they will both be stars but I think Carlsson is more of what we need and I believe he is a better fit with MSL and the organization with a strong commitment to learning to be a complete player who will not only potentially lead the team in scoring but also be a force in the playoffs.

I grew up with the Habs expecting to win Cups and at the very least contend for Cups so I am of the opinion that you use your top draft selections with the Stanley Cup in mind as the main goal. Picking high scoring players who do not perform in the playoffs has the opposite effect as they tie up salary and tie the team's hands behind their back. This is in no way meant as an attack on Michkov as he may end up as a great playoff performer but I prefer Carlsson when viewed through this lens. Big strong play driving centers are just too valuable when games become tighter and possession is contested in a more aggressive/physical manner.

I hear you.

It's just too hard for me to choose between Michkov and Carlsson because guys like Patrick Kane had big impacts on their teams winning multiple cups. And, aside from style it matters just how great they project to be at their roles. Michkov is projected extremely high by many.

But I'd be over the moon if we could get either Michkov or Carlsson. I have a feeling Hughes would be willing to do what it takes, but San Jose may not be a willing trade partner.

Right, they're doing their due process which is what you want to see for any draft pick. It will come down to how hard they think SKA Petersburg will make it to sign him. That's an extremely powerful KHL organization.

But, that is true for any team and not particular to Montreal. Washington has an advantage as Ovechkin can definitely advocate on their behalf.

I think Montreal would be ok with 3 years not so sure about 5 years. I'm sure there'll be talks with Michkov's agent over the ensuing weeks, as well as interviews with Michkov once he arrives for the draft.

I plan on maintaining a positive focus on it.

Hughes hasn't said he's DND. He said they plan on following due process, that he'd lose a tie & that they'd take BPA. All of that is common sense to me & doesn't require the panic that has enveloped the board.

I'm 80% sure he won't be at #5 anyway. Chicago is taking Bedard. Anaheim will take Fantilli or Carlsson. Columbus has already said they're taking a center. Probably who is left of Fantilli or Carlsson.

Pretty sure San Jose will take him.

Yeah, Grier recently made comments saying basically he doesn't see the Russian factor as an issue.

Hughes will probably have to trade up 1 spot to get Michkov (or Carlsson).

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I hear you.

It's just too hard for me to choose between Michkov and Carlsson because guys like Patrick Kane had big impacts on their teams winning multiple cups. And, aside from style it matters just great they project to be at their roles. Michkov is project extremely high by many.

But I'd be over the moon if we could get either Michkov or Carlsson. I have a feeling Hughes would be willing to do what it takes, but San Jose may not be a willing trade partner.



Yeah, Grier recently made comments saying basically he doesn't see the Russian factor as an issue.

Hughes will probably have to trade up 1 spot to get Michkov (or Carlsson).

Now that is more interesting to me than who do we draft if Michkov is DND at #5.

What if Carlsson & Michkov are there at #4 and Montreal wants Carlsson & San Jose knows it. Essentially, we'd be in the position that we put NJD in last year regarding Slafkovsky.

I think Montreal might pay the toll, and San Jose is desperate for picks & prospects. What the cost would be? Don't know. Last person who moved up into top 5 was Brian Burke in 1999 for the Sedin twins. He got #2 and #3.

That was 24 years ago. It hasn't happened since.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Now that is more interesting to me than who do we draft if Michkov is DND at #5.

What if Carlsson & Michkov are there at #4 and Montreal wants Carlsson & San Jose knows it. Essentially, we'd be in the position that we put NJD in last year regarding Slafkovsky.

I think Montreal might pay the toll, and San Jose is desperate for picks & prospects. What the cost would be? Don't know. Last person who moved up into top 5 was Brian Burke in 1999 for the Sedin twins. He got #2 and #3.

That was 24 years ago. It hasn't happened since.

It hasn't happened in 24 years but neither has a situation like Michkov's at least not in the top 5 and not with a guy that is a consensus 1 OA in many previous drafts

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Button clearly values PMDs way more than the rest

Button clearly values u18. His new rankings are completely a result of that tournament, which was one of the weaker tournaments that I can recall.

Too many poor teams and the divisions were imbalanced. International competitions really miss Russia in that regard. I wouldn't put too much stake on that tournament. Button went all in on it 100%.

I love Willander, but #8? ASP at #5. Ahhhhh.....

And dropping Benson and Reinbacher that much! Because neither played at the tournament. Oh boy ....

I sure do hope we pick Heidt with our 2nd round pick since it seems he will be there.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Habs need to ask themselves how much are they leaving on the table if he’s available and they pass? We know he’s going to be a superstar yet we pass. Why is there other teams that won’t pass?

The other thing is if ownership is involved in the decision, it’s going to be a historical clusterf***.

I can't see Molson agreeing on drafting a russian player in the current climate. His multiple corporations need to keep their ESG score up. The Mailloux debacle was a disaster that they fortunately recovered from, but it's not something they want to repeat no matter how good Michkov is and no matter how much the fan base wants it.

Whoever picks Michkov with a high pick is not as liable as Molson is to the backlash of the world corporate conglomerate.

 

[Jaynki]

I can't see Molson agreeing on drafting a russian player in the current climate. His multiple corporations need to keep their ESG score up. The Mailloux debacle was a disaster that they fortunately recovered from, but it's not something they want to repeat no matter how good Michkov is and no matter how much the fan base wants it.

Whoever picks Michkov with a high pick is not as liable as Molson is to the backlash of the world corporate conglomerate.

Its a damn if you do, damn if you don't situation.

It will whine big, either way.

Might as well just do it.

I am more afraid of the media and the question they may ask Michkov if he is drafted.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

It hasn't happened in 24 years but neither has a situation like Michkov's at least not in the top 5 and not with a guy that is a consensus 1 OA in many previous drafts

Yeah, Michkov is a unique situation. Just saying the table may be set for a move up. In 1999, the twins said they wanted to play together, and threatened not to come at all if they couldn't. That set the stage for Burke to swing getting the #2 and #3 picks.

It's incredibly tough thing to do to move up into top 4 even from #5, as most teams don't want to give up the assets. Montreal is pretty good with assets though. We need Eliteness.

Imo, Smith is not at the same level as Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson & Michkov. There's a drop after that top 4. That isn't to say a player behind them can't become a #1 line, ppg player just that there's less certainty of it, and they all have some kind of shortcoming that needs to be addressed.

 

[HabsForHire]

Really warming up to the idea of Leonard…

Same, people are under rating his offense

 

[SOLR]

Suzuki had 66 points under terrible circumstances in 2 half of the season. Give him CC, Dach (or PLD) and Matheson for full season and I definitely expect him to be PPG player.
Just slightly improve our PP and he will be PPG. Michkov, Benson or Smith are not even NHL ready and you alredy see them as PPG. Does not make any sense.

Michkov is NHL ready, he's nearly PPG in the KHL - with a bad team.

Button clearly values u18. His new rankings are completely a result of that tournament, which was one of the weaker tournaments that I can recall.

Too many poor teams and the divisions were imbalanced. International competitions really miss Russia in that regard. I wouldn't put too much stake on that tournament. Button went all in on it 100%.

I love Willander, but #8? ASP at #5. Ahhhhh.....

And dropping Benson and Reinbacher that much! Because neither played at the tournament. Oh boy ....

I sure do hope we pick Heidt with our 2nd round pick since it seems he will be there.

It's the same every year, I don't even read his articles anymore.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Its a damn if you do, damn if you don't situation.

It will whine big, either way.

Might as well just do it.

I am more afraid of the media and the question they may ask Michkov if he is drafted.

I'm with you, but it's not even about the public opinion anymore. The repercussion for Molson's business is independent from what the general populace says, it's about the stakeholders and how they envision the new world as, that's who Molson is accountable to.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Craig "boxscore" Button

I much prefer Button than all the regurgitated consensus BS. At least it’s a new perspective

 

[Mrb1p]

I much prefer Button than all the regurgitated consensus BS. At least it’s a new perspective

Its not new, its just flavour of the month from WJC, Hlinka or U18s.

 

[417]

Note: Hughes said at this point if there's a talent equal to Michkov Michkov will lose that competition, but that they still haven't completed their investigation into the Russian factor. He said they wanted to wait until after the lottery, because if they won the lottery, there would be no need to spend such time, because they'd be picking Bedard.

I also think San Jose or Anaheim pick Michkov, and he's not available at 5.

he didn't say exactly that...think that was taken a bit out of context, he's not going to give away his position right now.

They haven't even had the combines.

 

[Whitesnake]

Note: Hughes said at this point if there's a talent equal to Michkov Michkov will lose that competition, but that they still haven't completed their investigation into the Russian factor. He said they wanted to wait until after the lottery, because if they won the lottery, there would be no need to spend such time, because they'd be picking Bedard.

I also think San Jose or Anaheim pick Michkov, and he's not available at 5.

It is impossible that any sane person would think that there's a talent close to Michkov is he's available at 5. You just can't. I like Smith. I like Benson. I really like Leonard. Maybe too much..lol. I think Reinbacher will end up being a really good top 4. But they are not in the same conversation as far as talent is concerned. Not even close.

So not picking Michkov has to mean that they know something, they don't know anything but don't want to risk it....or have no idea how to evaluate talent. I'll choose the first 2. For now.

 

[Kennerback]

I can't see Molson agreeing on drafting a russian player in the current climate. His multiple corporations need to keep their ESG score up. The Mailloux debacle was a disaster that they fortunately recovered from, but it's not something they want to repeat no matter how good Michkov is and no matter how much the fan base wants it.

Whoever picks Michkov with a high pick is not as liable as Molson is to the backlash of the world corporate conglomerate.

I’m unaware of ownership’s decision making situation but if they can’t ice a Cup winning team like Leonsis or Illitch because of their bashfulness to draft certain ethnicities, maybe they should divest their hockey holdings.

Many NHL teams drafted Russians after the war in Ukraine started. No one gives a shit. If they want to compound their Mailloux mistake with another unforced error, it shows there’s a serious lack of judgment in the decision making apparatus.

 

[Whitesnake]

Hopefully, we'd look at teams who needs QUANTITY and replace it with quality. There's no need for a gazillion mid-round picks.....

 

[Whitesnake]

I much prefer Button than all the regurgitated consensus BS. At least it’s a new perspective

I think the earth is triangular. Here's a new perspective....but it doesn't mean it makes sense.

See, personnally, you can think ASP is the 5th best prospect. No doubt. You can think that he's the 5th guy that projects the best. Not a problem. Even if I disagree, not an issue.

Here lies the problem that a guy, AGAIN, uses 1 FREAKIN tournament to come to the conclusion.

But then, I guess it's fun to do that. Simon Snake Boisvert is also a big fan of putting names of poeple that aren't there. He actually aims for that. And it's fine. Why? 'cause he isn't doing that based on 1 freakin tournament. But his overall idea of the player.

So it's not the WHO. It's the HOW.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

There's enough intriguing options in round 2.. that we need to find a way to turn Allen and Edmundson into some 2nd round picks.

This.

Or, trade Florida's pick for 2 2nds. Normally around 20-25 starts a tier that usually lasts most of the 2nd round, so get 2 chances at a decent prospect than 1 unless someone really good somehow falls

 

[Junohockeyfan]

If Michkov signs an NHL contract 3 years after the draft, at age 20 (after his KHL contract is up), how many years of team control do the Habs get? Seems to me that if they retain the same number of years of team control, as if he signed as an 18 year old, then its in the Habs best interest to have him join at 20 years old. At that time they would get more bang for buck and it would align with the Habs compete timeframe.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I’m unaware of ownership’s decision making situation but if they can’t ice a Cup winning team like Leonsis or Illitch because of their bashfulness to draft certain ethnicities, maybe they should divest their hockey holdings.

Many NHL teams drafted Russians after the war in Ukraine started. No one gives a shit. If they want to compound their Mailloux mistake with another unforced error, it shows there’s a serious lack of judgment in the decision making apparatus.

Mailloux was by the previous management and IT WAS NOT A MISTAKE. Russians have been drafted but not in the top 5 and usually lower than they were ranked. HuGo will have to get all the intel they can before draft day and if Michkov is there at 5 decide how risky it would be to take him.