HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Nicko999]

I agree. If we have a surplus of draft choices resulting from the inevitable great sell-off I can see us taking Greentree at the bottom of the first round if he drops that far. Over the recent years we have drafted far worse skaters than Greentree. But with us drafting in the top 10 this year, there will be much better options available.

This is a draft that we can't screw up.

I disagree. Last draft was the one we couldn't afford to screw up.

This one is not the top heavy draft of last year so unless you win the lottery it wouldn't matter too much if you pick 3rd or 10th.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I disagree. Last draft was the one we couldn't afford to screw up.

This one is not the top heavy draft of last year so unless you win the lottery it wouldn't matter too much if you pick 3rd or 10th.

Frankly, a team can't afford to screw up any draft. But I think that this draft is underrated, at least with respect to the top ten. As the team improves, it is unlikely that we will be drafting as high in the upcoming years. So we can't afford to miss out on those top few players who will be difference makers.

 

[admiralcadillac]

So if we draft top 5 we get a guaranteed player in Eiserman or Demidov, and if we draft top ten we get one of Catton, Helenius or Lindstrom.

Seems good to me!

Maybe we can pick up iginla with our later first.

 

[Goalfield13]

So if we draft top 5 we get a guaranteed player in Eiserman or Demidov, and if we draft top ten we get one of Catton, Helenius or Lindstrom.

Seems good to me!

Maybe we can pick up iginla with our later first.

Yeah, a lot of people here are not high on Eiserman, but I think we have the forwards to cover for his defensive issues, namely Dach and Roy. We need another forward that can shoot desperately.

 

[PavelBrendl]

I really like the top of this draft class. Last year there was a clear drop-off for me after the top 5 or so.

This year not being the absolute worst isn't such a big deal. The clear drop-off in quality is around 10/11 for me. I'm hoping for a lottery win and the chance to grab Celebrini or Demidov, but I think we'll get a very high-quality player regardless of whether we go F or D even if we're picking 8-10.

 

[WeThreeKings]

So if we draft top 5 we get a guaranteed player in Eiserman or Demidov, and if we draft top ten we get one of Catton, Helenius or Lindstrom.

Seems good to me!

Maybe we can pick up iginla with our later first.

They won't take Eiserman.. ask yourself if the Habs brass/scouting staff has interest in a perimeter shooter without a diversified game?

He really isn't in the direction they are trying to go.

I'll be shocked if he was our pick.

 

[Mrb1p]

Yeah, a lot of people here are not high on Eiserman, but I think we have the forwards to cover for his defensive issues, namely Dach and Roy. We need another forward that can shoot desperately.

Im high on him. Due diligence will have to be made in interviews and background research, like with Wright, but the talent package cannot be ignored because some people assume hes a lazy floater.

He has good size, skating, passing , hes shown willingness to make plays defensively and his hands + shot are both all-worlds worthy.

Hes not just a shooter, hes a very strong puck handler and those allow for a system to work, if you corral a pass at a fast speed instead of having to handle it for 3 minutes before a pass, youre a lot harder to defend than a guy like Gallagher.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Can he score goals?

When I think of diversified game I think of Chris Higgins, Ryan Poehling and Kyle Chipchura. No thanks.

Yes, but that's all he can do.

And no I'm not talking about not being a 200 ft player (which he isn't).. I'm talking about, can he pass, can he stick handle, can he manipulate defenses, can he break the puck out of his own zone, can he throw a hit, can he get the puck off the wall, can he turn pucks over?

He's just a shooter. He shoots. He shoots even when it isn't good to shoot.

It's a great trick but the Canadiens would be looking at guys who can score at a lower pace but bring more dimensions to the offense.

 

[bonneaug]

What do you guys think of Connelly? Looks exciting but why is he playing USHL instead of NCAA?

 

[WeThreeKings]

What do you guys think of Connelly? Looks exciting but why is he playing USHL instead of NCAA?

• He's a skilled guy and there's a lot to like about his skill level.
• His skill level would, for me, would put him more in the mid to late 1st round.
• Most draft eligibles play USHL before going to the NCAA. Will Smith and Ryan Leonard were on the USNDTP last year which plays mostly in the USHL. Fowler also in the USHL, for example.
• Don't expect the Habs to draft him. Anti-semitic post on Snapchat, it's well documented and while it isn't something he would be unable to come back from.. there's no way the Habs invest a first round pick on a player with that baggage, especially considering some of the things that have happened in Montreal recently related to that community.

 

[Nicko999]

Can we issue him a fake birth certificate and draft Gavin McKenna???

 

[Riggins]

Wheeler has always been a doofus. No different than reading hf board scouts who overvalue undersized point producers.

Wheeler is like Pronman was when he first started, he got the nickname "prawnman" because he'd always rank the small skill guys highly. Now Pronman has gone away from that because he has seemingly developed a lot of real NHL scout contacts over the years.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Wheeler is like Pronman was when he first started, he got the nickname "prawnman" because he'd always rank the small skill guys highly. Now Pronman has gone away from that because he has seemingly developed a lot of real NHL scout contacts over the years.

He has - outside of Bob's list.. Pronman collects a lot of information and for the past couple of drafts, has really nailed who is going where at the top end of the draft.

 

[SlafySZN]

He has - outside of Bob's list.. Pronman collects a lot of information and for the past couple of drafts, has really nailed who is going where at the top end of the draft.

You’re right. Wasn’t he the one who was talking about Reinbacher for the habs or around the 5th pick last summer?

 

[WeThreeKings]

You’re right. Wasn’t he the one who was talking about Reinbacher for the habs or around the 5th pick last summer?

Yes he was and that got to Arpon and Godin who were corroborating it. He also had the interest from other teams right as it was revealed later.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

Yes, but that's all he can do.

And no I'm not talking about not being a 200 ft player (which he isn't).. I'm talking about, can he pass, can he stick handle, can he manipulate defenses, can he break the puck out of his own zone, can he throw a hit, can he get the puck off the wall, can he turn pucks over?

He's just a shooter. He shoots. He shoots even when it isn't good to shoot.

It's a great trick but the Canadiens would be looking at guys who can score at a lower pace but bring more dimensions to the offense.

Hard disagree. He can pass, stickhandle and manipulate defenses. He just won't do the dirty work but all in all, he would be our most skilled forward since... forever.

 

[Simarino]

With everything i read on this year draft, i think that Iginla could be a Hughes kind of player . Solid prospect, solid person!!

 

[Goldenhands]

Hard disagree. He can pass, stickhandle and manipulate defenses. He just won't do the dirty work but all in all, he would be our most skilled forward since... forever.

He was ranked 2nd entering the season, so obviously the talent level is pretty high, the reason why he is dropping is fundamentals related. Sloppy positioning, puck support, defensive work and overall awarenesses without the puck. He is lazy on pucks and the compete on 200 ft very low. Thats a mix of lack of motor and IQ related issues. Even his shooting selection lack smarts, he just relies on it way too much. He has skills thats for sure, anybody can see it, but the flaws in his game are frightening to say the least.

I will ultimately post a video of what makes him an attractive offensive player with some upside, but on the other hand, the flaws that are pretty worrysome and makes him a very risky pick. The lack of progression in his game vs last year is another concern that makes you wonder if he has the IQ to overcomes those issues.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

He was ranked 2nd entering the season, so obviously the talent level is pretty high, the reason why he is dropping is fundamentals related. Sloppy positioning, puck support, defensive work and overall awarenesses without the puck. He is lazy on pucks and the compete on 200 ft very low. Thats a mix of lack of motor and IQ related issues. Even his shooting selection lack smarts, he just relies on it way too much. He has skills thats for sure, anybody can see it, but the flaws in his game are frightening to say the least.

I will ultimately post a video of what makes him an attractive offensive player with some upside, but on the other hand, the flaws that are pretty worrysome and makes him a very risky pick. The lack of progression in his game vs last year is another concern that makes you wonder if he has the IQ to overcomes those issues.

I'm with you. Never said he was a perfect player and he's damn near the definition of a "floater". But that doesn't mean he's not skilled.

Listen, he's definitely not my first choice, but if it's between him and, say, Helenius... I would rather bet on pure skill. I don't see how a player with a decent iq can never become at least average defensively.

 

[HuGort]

What do you guys think of Connelly? Looks exciting but why is he playing USHL instead of NCAA?

Connelly may slide. If we acquire a late first I may take him

 

[BenchBrawl]

I remember how impressed I was with Sam Dickinson last year. He was composed, steady, playing like a pro even at 16 years old.

He will go right around our pick's range. I know we need a forward but I would be happy with him.

 

[montreal]

First time watching Silayev/Artamonov in a couple months, Silayev with a bad game, terrible coverage on one goal against, Artamonov had an assist. Old man Kovalchuk was facing them, surprised he didn't look bad.

 

[BenchBrawl]

First time watching Silayev/Artamonov in a couple months, Silayev with a bad game, terrible coverage on one goal against, Artamonov had an assist. Old man Kovalchuk was facing them, surprised he didn't look bad.

I always forget about Kovalchuk's stint in MTL lol

Feels like a dream

 

[TheBuriedHab]

Imagine having Parekh and Hutson on the same pp. Lmao!

 

[waitin425]

Imagine having Parekh and Hutson on the same pp. Lmao!

I rather imagine Hutson and Celebrini or Hutson and Demigod on the same PP