HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[NekkiChiconey]

IDK how you watch Zegras and Catton in their draft years and come to the conclusion that one is infinitely more talented than the other.

Talent-wise very similar, you're right. Catton is more inside-driven and involved defensively though. If in 5 years Catton is what Zegras is now, this is an average outcome imo, not terrible but not great.

 

[le_sean]

One needs to be able to play defense to play defense. The NHL is a long, long way from the OHL.

Yet people keep pencilling Mailloux into the Top 4 when he’s poor defensively.

It’s the same discourse that people had with Subban. Just coach this guy and he can become a force. At the end of the day, he‘s likely creating 2-3 great chances for every 1 against. You take that trade off all day.

 

[SlafySZN]

Interesting article and ranking

2024 NHL Draft consensus big board: Macklin Celebrini, defensemen lead midseason list

Our consensus midseason draft board digs into one of the most interesting defense classes in years, and more.

theathletic.com

 

[CHwest]

Yet people keep pencilling Mailloux into the Top 4 when he’s poor defensively.

It’s the same discourse that people had with Subban. Just coach this guy and he can become a force. At the end of the day, he‘s likely creating 2-3 great chances for every 1 against. You take that trade off all day.

Not me. I find a lot a folks are over the top optimistic about our prospects. Yes we have good prospects but it doesn't mean they will make the show.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Yet people keep pencilling Mailloux into the Top 4 when he’s poor defensively.

It’s the same discourse that people had with Subban. Just coach this guy and he can become a force. At the end of the day, he‘s likely creating 2-3 great chances for every 1 against. You take that trade off all day.

Critics were saying the same thing about Makar and Karlsson. It's why Makar didn't go #1 and why Karlsson didn't go top 10. They're two of the best offensive dmen ever. So many here are starving for a potential PPG forward no matter how many holes they may have in their game but for some reason a potential PPG dman scares them.

 

[HuGort]

How can you not be excited by Demidov ?

He's looks awful small? We already overloaded with Smurfs. Doubt Hughes takes Demidov. His culture probably be looking for size/heart. Which seems to be more prevalent in playoffs

 

[BergevinBurner]

He's looks awful small? We already overloaded with Smurfs. Doubt Hughes takes Demidov. His culture probably be looking for size/heart. Which seems to be more prevalent in playoffs

We haven't drafted a 60 point player in god only knows how long, passing on a talent like Demidov over his size would be a terrible move. You take him all day long and then if you feel you're too small up front you move someone else.

 

[Jaynki]

Also it's unclear who the better youngster is between Slaf, perfetti and Rossi.

Its clear as day buddy, ainec.

 

[HuGort]

We haven't drafted a 60 point player in god only knows how long, passing on a talent like Demidov over his size would be a terrible move. You take him all day long and then if you feel you're too small up front you move someone else.

What you see Demidov long term future winger for Dach? Linemate be best of Newhook, Roy, Mesar? You want a big heavy third line because playoffs they going to try wear you down. We'll have 3 smurfs in top 6

 

[BergevinBurner]

What you see Demidov long term future winger for Dach? Linemate be best of Newhook, Roy, Mesar? You want a big heavy third line because playoffs they going to try wear you down. We'll have 3 smurfs in top 6

I see Demidov as having the potential of being the most talented winger we've had in decades, whether if it's on Suzuki or Dach's wing.

If Demidov pans out and you feel like our top 6 is too soft then you can look to trade guys like Caufield/Roy/Mesar/etc... to bring in some size.

 

[Goalfield13]

Yet people keep pencilling Mailloux into the Top 4 when he’s poor defensively.

It’s the same discourse that people had with Subban. Just coach this guy and he can become a force. At the end of the day, he‘s likely creating 2-3 great chances for every 1 against. You take that trade off all day.

Even if Mailloux ends up with only passable defensive prowess at the NHL level, you can stick him next to a Struble on a second pair and be happy with it. His offensive contributions will be welcome, and he has the size to be able to take/give a hit, protect the net and win board battles come playoff time.

 

[sampollock]

Interesting article and ranking

2024 NHL Draft consensus big board: Macklin Celebrini, defensemen lead midseason list

Our consensus midseason draft board digs into one of the most interesting defense classes in years, and more.

theathletic.com

seems good

 

[Shutdown]

Interesting article and ranking

2024 NHL Draft consensus big board: Macklin Celebrini, defensemen lead midseason list

Our consensus midseason draft board digs into one of the most interesting defense classes in years, and more.

theathletic.com

this is last year's, for reference

NHL Draft consensus ranking: Most divisive players, top defensemen and goalies, more

How do the draft lists of Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and Bob McKenzie stack up — and what can be learned from the differences?

theathletic.com

still lots of time for movement on the board

 

[HuGort]

I see Demidov as having the potential of being the most talented winger we've had in decades, whether if it's on Suzuki or Dach's wing.

If Demidov pans out and you feel like our top 6 is too soft then you can look to trade guys like Caufield/Roy/Mesar/etc... to bring in some size.

Sounds like Demidov be gone by time we draft. But pushes somebody down to us

 

[The Last Red]

Sounds like Demidov be gone by time we draft. But pushes somebody down to us

Which is fine. Drafting Russian players that high who aren’t already in North America seems a bit risky at this juncture. Sure they’ll probably come over at some point . . . but it’s not guaranteed and you don’t know when. I’m sure HuGo were hoping that one of the teams drafting before them last year would have taken Michkov and helped them avoid the PR disaster that ensued.

 

[SlafySZN]

this is last year's, for reference

NHL Draft consensus ranking: Most divisive players, top defensemen and goalies, more

How do the draft lists of Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and Bob McKenzie stack up — and what can be learned from the differences?

theathletic.com

still lots of time for movement on the board

Ah yeah, there will be movements for sure, someone like Iginla will definitely be drafted higher than 15-16 for sure. It’s just a mid-year list.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

He's looks awful small? We already overloaded with Smurfs. Doubt Hughes takes Demidov. His culture probably be looking for size/heart. Which seems to be more prevalent in playoffs

Playoff scoring leaders since '04. Lot of guys Demidov's size or smaller there.

 

[Artaud]

Demidov is exactly what the Habs need. Pure skill with gamebreaking potential. The top 6 is looking good, but not good enough to compete with the best teams in the league without adding an X-factor.

 

[HabsForHire]

He's looks awful small? We already overloaded with Smurfs. Doubt Hughes takes Demidov. His culture probably be looking for size/heart. Which seems to be more prevalent in playoffs

if he's available and we pass the riots will be worse than when we passed on michkov and the honeymoon phase with this new management will be over. it would be a MASSIVE mistake

 

[WeThreeKings]

if he's available and we pass the riots will be worse than when we passed on michkov and the honeymoon phase with this new management will be over. it would be a MASSIVE mistake

If they pass for a defenseman, sure. I don't think you'll get a massive blowback if they chose Lindstrom.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

If they pass for a defenseman, sure. I don't think you'll get a massive blowback if they chose Lindstrom.

I think Demidov is in a tier above Lindstrom but if they don't think Dach can stay healthy for more than a few games I could understand them taking him.

 

[Ozmodiar]

I think Demidov is in a tier above Lindstrom but if they don't think Dach can stay healthy for more than a few games I could understand them taking him.

Yeah, I believe the decision on Lindstrom is tied to Dach’s health, unless they have other plans to acquire a center.

Ideally, they’d add Demidov and have a healthy Dach.

 

[Ozmodiar]

He's looks awful small? We already overloaded with Smurfs. Doubt Hughes takes Demidov. His culture probably be looking for size/heart. Which seems to be more prevalent in playoffs

Not at all. Current top 6, if healthy:

CC - NS - Slaf
Newhook - Dach - Roy

One guy on each line is below average weight for an NHL forward, and Demidov would replace one of them (Roy).

 

[Mrb1p]

Its clear as day buddy, ainec.

Wouldnt trade him for either but they are two top 6ers under 23 YO. Its not impossible that they become better players than Slaf.

Look at Galchenyuk if you will, in 2013-2014 he had similar production to Slaf and outproduced Toffoli pretty badly, yet who's had the much better career ? Chalie Coyle? Niederreiter ? Stone ? Kuznetsov ?

He's looks awful small? We already overloaded with Smurfs. Doubt Hughes takes Demidov. His culture probably be looking for size/heart. Which seems to be more prevalent in playoffs

He's 5'11. We have one small player, the rest are average sized, just like Demidov. The Habs acquired two of the largest top 6 forwards in the league exactly for this reason. The Habs D is also massive.

Again, 4 out of the 8 last cup winners had an overwhelming majority of sub 6'1 players in their whole top 9.

 

[HabsForHire]

If they pass for a defenseman, sure. I don't think you'll get a massive blowback if they chose Lindstrom.

I meant if we fall back a few spots and he falls to us