GDT: 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft: 1st Round, June 28, 7 p.m. et | ESPN, SN, TVAS: Nashville, TN

[HabbyGuy]

That’s not the point though.

You were asking from a Flyers’ perspective. We already know your views from a Habs’ POV.

I beg to differ as we don’t know where the drop off is — it could be different for different teams. Take Leonard for instance or some other player, some teams may not view it as a top 5 and a drop off but as a top 6 or top 7, followed by a drop off. Philly’s rankings might be telling a different story.

If Philly is scrambling so hard for Michkov, let them overpay. Their 2 first rounders are certainly not enough — especially that if Hughes does not wish to draft Michkov, there are multiple suitors who may have to overbid in order to win him.

I actually wasn't asking for a flyers point if view. I was asking why would the habs pass if the flyers would be willing to pay assets to take whatever perceived risks that we weren't.

 

[Nedved]

dream scenario:

Bedard
Fantilli
Smith
Leonard
Trade our pick to Flyers for multiple picks (Michkov)
Reinbacher
Carlsson

God damn story book draft.

 

[stanley25]

If he was sent down to MHL/VHL and wanted to buy his contract out, would that make it less for him, they'd still go with his KHL salary, or not sure as it's rather random ?

I honestly really don't know sorry. I could be wrong on the above as well but seems to make sense.

 

[Gravity]

A few things:

1. I’ve heard Mich is only willing to interview with some teams and not others. If true, that’s a red flag.

2. The team won’t have control over his development. That’s a concern.

3. Geopolitical stuff.

The interview will likely be important factor in their decision. Assuming it went well, I hope we take the risk.

1. Was debunked
2. Fair enough unless they mutually terminate his contract.
3. At this point there's nothing left that's concerning. He flew in for the draft and told teams that his objective is to play in the NHL.

dream scenario:

Bedard
Fantilli
Smith
Leonard
Trade our pick to Flyers for multiple picks (Michkov)
Reinbacher
Carlsson

God damn story book draft.

0% chance this happens.

 

[Kennerback]

The amount of meme potential is off the charts and on an NHL level already with Will Smith, while Michkov had ECHL potential in that are.

Smith's XM/60 is at about a 2, 2.1, while Michkov's is at a .02!

OTXM/ Game
Smith - .4
Michkov - slow low i didnt even track it.

XM = Expect Meme
OTXM = Other Team's Expected Meme

He's just not a good meme candidate.

The fact Smith said yesterday he had an idea where he’s being drafted, tells me he won’t be there at 5. Some team has probably told him they’re picking him.

 

[Andrei79]

Vancouver just got a fella from SKA for free and he scored 40 goals somehow :/

Panarin, Kuzmenko, Dadonov, Barabanki, Marchenko, they consistently produce NHLers and from what I read from their development coach, they know what MM has to work on.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Two things I don't understand regarding Michkov.

They love Smith, but Michkov has many of the same attributes and is honestly more skilled.

They don't like that they can't control his development, but they traded excellent assets for Dach and Newhook, players they had no control over for 3-4 years, but were even mismanaged. It's not like SKA doesn't produce great NHLers. I'm reviewing tape and honestly at some point you don't draft personality, you draft talent.

It's less than 24 hours from the draft and I guess I've arrived at my final decision, which would be Michkov.

Right? None of these risks that perceived riske were a problem, then why now?

A few things:

1. I’ve heard Mich is only willing to interview with some teams and not others. If true, that’s a red flag.

2. The team won’t have control over his development. That’s a concern.

3. Geopolitical stuff.

The interview will likely be important factor in their decision. Assuming it went well, I hope we take the risk.

1 we clearly were on his list of teams, not sure why this is an issue for us.

2 as another has queried, if the habs were so worried about development, why pay assets for others such a Dach and Newhook, when they had no say in their informative development stages?

3 geopolitcal issues I give you, but they'te high;ly overstated imo and not strong enough to pass on a once in a generation shot as elite talent for our habs.

 

[Nedved]

1. Was debunked
2. Fair enough unless they mutually terminate his contract.
3. At this point there's nothing left that's concerning. He flew in for the draft and told teams that his objective is to play in the NHL.


0% chance this happens.

It's possible, we probably would just take Carlsson @ 5 though and not risk it.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Hold up.

Why is Upper Deck at the front ?

Is the draft f***ing sponsored now? Since when ? Is this the first ? What the f*** have I missed ?

 

[Runner77]

BUT, if Briere is smart…wouldn’t he realize that’s completely unnecessary? If Montreal is contemplating trading the pick in the first place, that’s proof right there we aren’t in on Michkov. And Arizona sure as hell isn’t taking him.

So the more I think about it…why would Briere give up that much when the player he wants is probably going to be there at 7?

I suppose this way guarantees another team can’t swoop in at 5 or 6 to steal him, but still..if i’m Briere I’d be really hesitant to give up that much when I could possibly stand pat and still end up with the player.

If I’m Hughes though, I’m absolutely planting as many seeds as possible. You want to move up to guarantee the selection…you’re going to pay. Just hope they don’t call our bluff.

Hughes is not stupid. He realizes that he will leave value on the table by simply passing on Michkov instead of auctioning off the 5OA among several suitors.

Being the sharp negotiator that he is, I’m sure he’s already discussed with multiple teams, how they’ll have to step up boldly, if they want the pick. This is why Brière will not simply land Michkov by doing nothing — there are other teams willing to pony up big. Watch Trotz make a huge pitch and even Washington.

That’s my theory.

 

[ViD]

What geopolitical issues are you guys concerned about ?

I can truly only see two:

1. NHL bans all Russian players from participating. You can gauge whether it’s possible or not.

2. Putin declares total mobilization, declares martial law and completely closes borders. This is only possible during a full scale war between Russia and NATO in which case hockey will be the last thing to worry about

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

1 we clearly were on his list of teams, not sure why this is an issue for us.

2 as another has queried, if the habs were so worried about development, why pay assets for others such a Dach and Newhook, when they had no say in their informative development stages?

2. geopolitcal issues I give you, but they'te high;ly overstated imo and not strong enough to pass on a once in a generation shot as elite talent for our habs.

1. It’s be an issue because it would reveal a player with possible ego issues. A poster above said this was debunked so hopefully that’s the case.

2. Because Newhook’s a known quantity just as Dach was. They don’t know how it will go for Mich and there are other prospects available. They don’t want to pick a guy and see him regress.

3. This wouldn’t be a major concern for me but it’s a factor.

As I said, I’d draft him. The major thing would be the interview. Unless he totally f***s that up, I think he’s with the other risks.

 

[HabbyGuy]

1. It’s be an issue because it would reveal a player with possible ego issues. A poster above said this was debunked so hopefully that’s the case.

2. Because Newhook’s a known quantity just as Dach was. They don’t know how it will go for Mich and there are other prospects available. They don’t want to pick a guy and see him regress.

3. This wouldn’t be a major concern for me but it’s a factor.

I'd think it's safe to Michkov is a known quantity atleast talent wise.

Besides who in any draft is ever a known quantity?

 

[Andrei79]

Right? None of these risks that perceived riske were a problem, then why now?



I actually wasn't asking for a flyers point if view. I was asking why


1 we clearly were on his list of teams, not sure why this is an issue for us.

2 as another has queried, if the habs were so worried about development, why pay assets for others such a Dach and Newhook, when they had no say in their informative development stages?

2. geopolitcal issues I give you, but they'te high;ly overstated imo and not strong enough to pass on a once in a generation shot as elite talent for our habs.

Yeah, as the draft is imminent, I wanted to come to my own conclusion and when push comes to shove, the tape's answer is Michkov. I guess one of the things that also convinced me is that while I do like what they're doing with their development team, Michkov is already doing so much of what other players would have to learn. He won't be an old dog when he comes over. He'll have (more than) healthy habits on offense and won't be too old to work on the rest, like Dach and Newhook. He does pretty much everything I'm looking for when it comes to offense, he's brilliant.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'd think it's safe to Michkov is a known quantity. Besides who in any draft in a known quantity?

You are comparing draft picks to players who’ve been in the league a few years that we got at much cheaper prices than we would’ve paid when they were drafted. It’s apples and oranges.

 

[Runner77]

I actually wasn't asking for a flyers point if view. I was asking why would the habs pass if the flyers would be willing to pay assets to take whatever perceived risks that we weren't.

Here’s what you asked, which was the only question contained in your post:

“But the risks!!??? Why would the flyers do this?? Ugh...”

 

[HabbyGuy]

Here’s what you asked, which was the only question contained in your post:

“But the risks!!??? Why would the flyers do this?? Ugh...”

YOU, of all people couldn't sense the sarcasm? lol c'mon man.

 

[TheBuriedHab]

I'm pretty torn on who I want at 5. Could definitely see an argument to keep adding talent upfront, but I also think the prospect of having Reinbacher, Guhle, Hutson and Mailloux moving forward would really solidify our defense for a long time.

 

[HabbyGuy]

You are comparing draft picks to players who’ve been in the league a few years that we got at much cheaper prices than we would’ve paid when they were drafted. It’s apples and oranges.

OK you've convinced me, we should clearly trade down and take the lesser talent, despite them being an unknown quantity as well.

 

[Kennerback]

What geopolitical issues are you guys concerned about ?

I can truly only see two:

1. NHL bans all Russian players from participating. You can gauge whether it’s possible or not.

2. Putin declared total mobilization, declares martial law and completely closes borders. This is only possible during a full scale war between Russia and NATO in which case hockey will be the last thing to worry about

1. That won’t happen.

2. Some posters on this board just have not grasped that there are several specific layers of conscripts/reservists/volunteers that are mobilized in a predetermined order by Russian law and have “not” been used yet. That would be a Million soldiers that are already lined up in the chain of possible recruits. NATO will have boots on the ground by the time those are exhausted. Aka, Americans, Canadians, Germans etc… will already be in Ukraine by the time Michkov gets recruited.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

OK you've convinced me, we should clearly trade down and take the lesser talent, despite them being an unknown quantity as well.

You asked why they wouldn’t pick him. I gave you the reasons. If you don’t want the answers don’t ask the questions.

As I’ve said repeatedly, I would draft him if he’s available.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

OK you've convinced me, we should clearly trade down and take the lesser talent, despite them being an unknown quantity as well.

Gotta catch all middle 6 players

 

[Andrei79]

1. It’s be an issue because it would reveal a player with possible ego issues. A poster above said this was debunked so hopefully that’s the case.

2. Because Newhook’s a known quantity just as Dach was. They don’t know how it will go for Mich and there are other prospects available. They don’t want to pick a guy and see him regress.

3. This wouldn’t be a major concern for me but it’s a factor.

As I said, I’d draft him. The major thing would be the interview. Unless he totally f***s that up, I think he’s with the other risks.

Newhook is such a known quantity that they have no idea where he'll slot in. Dach regressed the year before they traded for him, at a high price.

 

[BenchBrawl]

M . I . C . H . K . O . V .

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Newhook is such a known quantity that they have no idea where he'll slot in.

Again, in the context of what I was saying the Canadiens KNOW WHAT THEY’RE GETTING with him. They got him at a lower price than when he was drafted. Just as we did with Dach last year.

The point that I was making was that we wouldn’t have control over Mitch’s development over the next few years. That’s an unknown and factors into the risk calculation.