HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[An0n]

People knock Konsta Helenius, but he has 11 points in his last 10 games and is on pace for 39 points in 51 games in Liiga. If those numbers hold up (or get even better like he has lately) the only 17 year old player that has put up more points in the last 15 years is Aleksander Barkov (Kakko had 38 points in his draft year).

I think some Habs fans have a skewed opinion based on Kotkaniemi and Kakko recently.

As you've pointed out in your post, Liiga stats doesn't mean much.

 

[HuGort]

Just the thought of iginla sr hanging around this crew adds more greatness for the players to aspire to. If we miss out on celebrity, Demidov, and Lindstrom, I’d be down to take him

I am divided on Iginla or Catton. Don't know which way to chose.

 

[FrankMTL]

As you've pointed out in your post, Liiga stats doesn't mean much.

Well they do and they don't. You have to take them with a grain of salt clearly.

 

[An0n]

Well they do and they don't. You have to take them with a grain of salt clearly.

I meant it as Liiga stats cannot be used to forecast the future as there is no clear pattern. High scoring U18 busted and low scoring U18 thrived in the NHL.

Helenius as no real game breaking talent. He does most things very well but nothing is elite. Those type of player usually are middle 6 fwds in the NHL.

 

[Mrb1p]

Is Catton better than Zach Benson was? His PPG is a little better and he's a bit bigger. Team not as stacked also.

To me Benson was better, you wont see Catton doing what Zach is doing in the NHL right now

Offensively it may be a toss-up, even if I think Zach brings a better overall package for a small man but the game away from the puck isnt even close. In his last two years Zach dominated on the defensive side of the game, all while being a top 3--4 offensive player.

Both are the same age for the next 3 months, yet Benson has been an NHL regular. Hes even running his own PK unit, which is amazing, even if I dont agree with the usage.

 

[Goldenhands]

Damn right!

I'd take Ignila over Helenius though.

The risk/reward curve favors Ignila IMO.

Helenius is like 3 months older than Iginla and is on an impressive developmental curve as well.

I see Helenius in the same mold as a Suzuki, elite thinker and a better skater at the same age.

Iginla I would be happy too, would make the team tougher to face, he is just a bit raw right now, he is experimenting alot and I like it.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

I am divided on Iginla or Catton. Don't know which way to chose.

I would take Iginla. Very very hard to ignore the bloodline there. I expect someone will grab him earlier than some lists have him, based on this.

 

[skidcells]

Helenius is like 3 months older than Iginla and is on an impressive developmental curve as well.

I see Helenius in the same mold as a Suzuki, elite thinker and a better skater at the same age.

Iginla I would be happy too, would make the team tougher to face, he is just a bit raw right now, he is experimenting alot and I like it.

Are you at all considered about Helenius’ size and if that will affect him in the nhl?

 

[Goldenhands]

Are you at all considered about Helenius’ size and if that will affect him in the nhl?

He rolls well under hits and has good body strength for his size, he is strong on pucks and can throw hits himself. I dont see his size as a problem going foward, but of course, smaller players in general will always be more exposed.

 

[Mrb1p]

Made me lol but yeah I agree, mechanic and what not is overrated. Everyone's different and you never know how someone develops. Having man strength helps a ton in terms of skating (balance, edges, etc., not just pure speed and acceleration)

Ngl that was a bit too close to a prophet type rant so Ill keep them sparse but pseudoscience really does annoy me.

 

[Mr Bop]

If we can pick up another 2nd I'd love to take a shot at Yegor Surin. He seems talented with some edge to his game. I know he's rising a bit in the rankings but maybe he'll drop too with the Russian factor.

 

[HuGort]

I would take Iginla. Very very hard to ignore the bloodline there. I expect someone will grab him earlier than some lists have him, based on this.

Then I look at Max Domi junior numbers and think he should been better.

 

[The Last Red]

Assuming that Celebrini, Demidov and Lindstrom are off the board when we pick, but Eiserman is there, it’s a no-brainer to take him. I’ve seen him play in person and he can literally score from anywhere inside the blue line, from any angle. That can’t be taught or learned.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Assuming that Celebrini, Demidov and Lindstrom are off the board when we pick, but Eiserman is there, it’s a no-brainer to take him. I’ve seen him play in person and he can literally score from anywhere inside the blue line, from any angle. That can’t be taught or learned.

The worry is he becomes another zadina tho. At the time of his draft, lots of people had zadina at 3 and he ended up going 6. Nobody wants a one dimensional player unless they're good defensive players like Pacioretty. That's my issue with taking him instead of a more dynamic player. Also if all the forwards you really liked are gone by the time you pick, there's something wrong with picking one of the top D and then trading for a young elite forward with a lucrative package

 

[The Last Red]

The worry is he becomes another zadina tho. At the time of his draft, lots of people had zadina at 3 and he ended up going 6. Nobody wants a one dimensional player unless they're good defensive players like Pacioretty. That's my issue with taking him instead of a more dynamic player. Also if all the forwards you really liked are gone by the time you pick, there's something wrong with picking one of the top D and then trading for a young elite forward with a lucrative package

1. I'll take my chances. Having him and Caufield on the same team would be insane, and scary for teams playing us. 2. Caufield is still sort of a one dimensional player. Do you not want him either?

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

1. I'll take my chances. Having him and Caufield on the same team would be insane, and scary for teams playing us. 2. Caufield is still sort of a one dimensional player. Do you not want him either?

First of all, Caufield was picked at 15 not possible at 5,6 or 7. But still he'd be a good pick there too. Unlike zadina, Caufield has pretty good skating and hockey IQ. Dude also puts in a lot of effort and doesn't float. And although eiserman is a great scorer, Draft eligible Caufield was way more hyped as a scorer.

Also everyone's glad habs have Caufield, but why would they want two players that's are so similar. It's different with defence (having a Dickerson and Guhle, etc) but offensively, wouldn't the Habs be better to pick a type of player with the skill sets that their forward group is missing? Like a more dynamic player in the mold of kaprizov, Cooley, Keller, etc

 

[Mrb1p]

First of all, Caufield was picked at 15 not possible at 5,6 or 7. But still he'd be a good pick there too. Unlike zadina, Caufield has pretty good skating and hockey IQ. Dude also puts in a lot of effort and doesn't float. And although eiserman is a great scorer, Draft eligible Caufield was way more hyped as a scorer.

Also everyone's glad habs have Caufield, but why would they want two players that's are so similar. It's different with defence (having a Dickerson and Guhle, etc) but offensively, wouldn't the Habs be better to pick a type of player with the skill sets that their forward group is missing? Like a more dynamic player in the mold of kaprizov, Cooley, Keller, etc

Well if Demidov is there sure.. But no one else is that player. Maybe Catton if you stretch it but then you're probably looking at Keller to Caufield... Pretty even as a whole IMO. We don't "need" either.

 

[The Last Red]

First of all, Caufield was picked at 15 not possible at 5,6 or 7. But still he'd be a good pick there too. Unlike zadina, Caufield has pretty good skating and hockey IQ. Dude also puts in a lot of effort and doesn't float. And although eiserman is a great scorer, Draft eligible Caufield was way more hyped as a scorer.

Also everyone's glad habs have Caufield, but why would they want two players that's are so similar. It's different with defence (having a Dickerson and Guhle, etc) but offensively, wouldn't the Habs be better to pick a type of player with the skill sets that their forward group is missing? Like a more dynamic player in the mold of kaprizov, Cooley, Keller, etc

I’d rather have a possible 40-50 goal scorer over a Keller type, and I’m not sold on Cooley. And you’re probably not getting a Kaprizov impact type player at 7-10. So if the choices are Catton, Helenius and Eiserman, I’m taking Cole eight days week and twice on Sundays.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I’d rather have a possible 40-50 goal scorer over a Keller type, and I’m not sold on Cooley. And you’re probably not getting a Kaprizov impact type player at 7-10. So if the choices are Catton, Helenius and Eiserman, I’m taking Cole eight days week and twice on Sundays.

Yeah I'm not high on any of the three you mentioned. I'd just rather take a great defensemen than someone who has a good chance of being the next Oliver Wahlstrom

 

[The Last Red]

Yeah I'm not high on any of the three you mentioned. I'd just rather take a great defensemen than someone who has a good chance of being the next Oliver Wahlstrom

Huh? Eiserman will be better than Caufield.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Huh? Eiserman will be better than Caufield.

I really don't think he will be

 

[The Last Red]

I really don't think he will be

Time will tell. Have you ever seen Eiserman play in person?

 

[jiboy]

If we want to gamble for offense we should just draft Parekh

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Huh? Eiserman will be better than Caufield.

Maybe but I'd rather not take the risk? Scorers in the draft are extremely hit or miss. Also in Caufields case, all the analysts at the draft were even admitting that had he been even 5'11, he'd probably go top 3

 

[Mrb1p]

If we want to gamble for offense we should just draft Parekh

Or Buium, yeah.