HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[SwiftyHab]

Completely agree with you and you can proove it with real hockey argument that a small goaltender don't cover the net as good as a big tall one.

On the other hand...I am 48 years old..we are in 2024 and still not a single one person said a real hockey argument why a 6.0 forward should be draft before a 5.10 one.

It is only psychologic and everybody fall in that trap again...unbelievable

According to chat gpt
“In hockey, even a small difference of 1 to 2 inches in height can make a noticeable impact. Taller players may have longer reaches, giving them an advantage in stickhandling, shooting, and defending. Additionally, taller players often have longer strides, which can help with speed and agility on the ice. However, shorter players can also excel in the sport, relying on their speed, agility, and low center of gravity to maneuver effectively. Ultimately, success in hockey depends on a combination of skill, athleticism, and hockey IQ, rather than just height.”

Not saying I agree with the robot but makes sense

 

[crosbyshow]

I don’t care about your hall of famers. And by, the way, when Gretzky was playing people in general were smaller.
Then, I want montreal to pick a first liner. Lets see all those first line around our division from daily faceoff :

Toronto: knies 6ft 3, matthews 6 ft 3, marner 6 ft
Ottawa : giroux 5ft 11, stutzle 6ft, Batherson 6ft 3
Buffalo : greenway 6ft 6, thompson 6 ft 6, Tuch 6 ft 4
Boston : Marchand 5ft 9, Coyle 6 ft 3, pastrnak 6 ft
Tampa : Hagel 6ft2, point 5 ft 9, Kucherov 5 ft 11
Florida : verhage 6ft 2, Barkov 6ft 3, reinhart 6 ft 2

4 players on 18 are under 6 ft. Then, as poster you come to me and say : size has no importance! Thats just not true. you want first liner? Get size.

Lol. Only 2 teams won the Cup ..Boston and Tampa and 3 of the 6 players on top line were less than 6.0

Bs

Pittsburgh won the Cup 3 times with 5 undersize players in their top 9.

The 6.0 barr is complete BS

 

[le_sean]

Not sure why we keep bringing up height. It’s not just about height, it’s about weight and strength. Yeah Crosby is under 6 feet, but what 6’4 defender is going to knock him on his ass? None, since he weighs like 210 lbs. same with Suzuki, he’s less than 6 feet tall, but he’s built like a brick shithouse. Or Kessel if you want to stay with the Pens of old, another that’s just heavy. Their only small player was Sheary. And these guys were always just built different and heavier.

The problem is players like Marner that are small and light, then they become ineffective. Sorry but Catton falls into that category. If you’re 165 lbs now, you’re not going to magically gain 35 lbs and be the same player.

 

[TheBuriedHab]

Eiserman with the hatty tonight. Still think he remains high on the Habs board.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Not sure why we keep bringing up height. It’s not just about height, it’s about weight and strength. Yeah Crosby is under 6 feet, but what 6’4 defender is going to knock him on his ass? None, since he weighs like 210 lbs. same with Suzuki, he’s less than 6 feet tall, but he’s built like a brick shithouse. Or Kessel if you want to stay with the Pens of old, another that’s just heavy. Their only small player was Sheary. And these guys were always just built different and heavier.

The problem is players like Marner that are small and light, then they become ineffective. Sorry but Catton falls into that category. If you’re 165 lbs now, you’re not going to magically gain 35 lbs and be the same player.

Plenty of small and light guys aren't ineffective though

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Ok then so with this logic..don't draft Lindstrom cause he is exactly at 1.5 points per game so he probably suck...

but hey..him it s not the same cause he is 6.3 right?

Btw..not a single player in the WHL has 2.0 points à game..not one...Catton is in the top 5 at 1.65 points per game and the other 4 players are all drafted.

Catton is a hell of a player..not a perfect one...but to look at very carefully

No, you have to look at the player's overall game, and what they bring game to game, shift to shift. You can't just base it off points.

For example, I like Basha, but I'm not a huge fan of Pekarcik. Both are the same size. Both play on teams with strong offensive players. Both are ranked around the same spot. Both are close offensively points-wise.

I like Basha because he plays hard & fast. He attacks the net, keeps his feet moving in the corners, and has enough skill to think he can at least be a middle 6 forward in NHL. He plays like Peterka, Sykora. Both players that I liked in their draft years.

Pekarcik plays a much more complementary game & imo, feeds off Heidt a lot. He's smart enough to be where he needs to be so Heidt can find him. He goes to dead spots around the slot. He's comfortable around the boards, and is fine defensively. He's not a play driver though. He's a complementary player to a play driver. He's more top 6 or bust. He's basically a Skinner type, but without the elite shooting skills that Skinner has.

Every time I watch Catton he reminds me of Drouin. There's certain parts of his game I'm not crazy about, but I also think they're fixable the minute he goes to an NHL camp.

He keeps his feet moving, but not in a way that is always effective. He tends to glide around the D zone, neutral zone & offensive zone a lot when he's off the puck, which is when he reminds me of Drouin the most. That's fixable though if he's a coachable kid.

He's a stick checker only. He doesn't get his body involved much at all. This is reason #1 why I don't think he's a center at NHL level. Centers have to battle below the goal line at both ends.

When he has the puck, he does attack the net, likes give & go plays, and is not afraid to try to beat guys wide. His vision & playmaking are great. His shooting is mainly getting the puck off quickly & accurately, or finding dead spots on the ice.

There are successful wingers in the NHL, who are similar in style. Drouin -> Zegras -> Keller -> Marner is his development line, with Marner being the toppest of the top and absolutely everything going right in his development, and Drouin being the low end. A 50-ish point, soft, middle 6 player.

 

[skidcells]

Anyone have an update on Lindstrom? I thought he was meant to be back before the end of February but still hadn’t..

 

[Vachon23]

The only real position that I would consider size as a deciding factor is for goaltender. You don't see a lot of good 5'9 and under goaltender anymore. Still if the guy is 5'8 and the best goaltender ever, I don't care, bring him in.

It’s important for dmen too, less for forwards

 

[The Last Red]

Eiserman with the hatty tonight. Still think he remains high on the Habs board.

Assuming that Lindstrom and Demidov are gone when we make our pick, Eiserman all the way and hope he pans out. If we pass on him, I have visions of the 1977 draft in my head. You know, the one where we passed on the French Ukranian kid from Laval, who only scored and couldn’t play without the puck. Yeah, that guy. I don’t want that again.

 

[dcyhabs]

We will see. In my view ..it is not because they chose the 6.4 Slaf instead of the 5.10 Cooley that they will not draft a 5.11 player this Summer.

But this question could be ask in June cause that we should draft 5 to 8 and Catton will likely be draft right there

In the same context I was surprised they traded for Newhook. It’s going to be a challenge to configure this team for playoff hockey.

 

[dcyhabs]

According to chat gpt
“In hockey, even a small difference of 1 to 2 inches in height can make a noticeable impact. Taller players may have longer reaches, giving them an advantage in stickhandling, shooting, and defending. Additionally, taller players often have longer strides, which can help with speed and agility on the ice. However, shorter players can also excel in the sport, relying on their speed, agility, and low center of gravity to maneuver effectively. Ultimately, success in hockey depends on a combination of skill, athleticism, and hockey IQ, rather than just height.”

Not saying I agree with the robot but makes sense

The robot is quoting random sites. It may have chosen well or badly.

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[Vachon23]

According to chat gpt
“In hockey, even a small difference of 1 to 2 inches in height can make a noticeable impact. Taller players may have longer reaches, giving them an advantage in stickhandling, shooting, and defending. Additionally, taller players often have longer strides, which can help with speed and agility on the ice. However, shorter players can also excel in the sport, relying on their speed, agility, and low center of gravity to maneuver effectively. Ultimately, success in hockey depends on a combination of skill, athleticism, and hockey IQ, rather than just height.”

Not saying I agree with the robot but makes sense

Dam ! That robot knows his hockey more then most of the Leafs fans !

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Tij is him, Catton is not.

Why? 1 inch and 20 pounds.

 

[le_sean]

Tij is him, Catton is not.

Why? 1 inch and 20 pounds.

Or you know, three zone effort and physicality.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Or you know, three zone effort and physicality.

Yes, that is exactly how players like Zacha and Crouse were drafted above Barzal.

 

[le_sean]

Yes, that is exactly how players like Zacha and Crouse were drafted above Barzal.

Iginla is nothing like those two guys so I don’t get the connection. But yeah I can find examples of the contrary like skilled Vrana over “safer” Larkin. Or can’t miss skilled Turcotte over boring Cozens.

 

[Riggins]

All eyes will be on Catton's combine measurements. He's having a heck of an offensive season and I loved him at the Hlinka, but I'm probably in the camp that doesn't see us picking him.

If Lindstrom and Demidov are gone, I'd argue that Iginla fits the profile best of what this management group seems to be looking for. Maybe most scouts don't see him top 10 at the moment, but there's some runway left in the WHL season and at the U-18. There's also been exponential growth in his game this year, from outside the first round to the top 10-15 conversation.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I don’t care about your hall of famers. And by, the way, when Gretzky was playing people in general were smaller.
Then, I want montreal to pick a first liner. Lets see all those first line around our division from daily faceoff :

Toronto: knies 6ft 3, matthews 6 ft 3, marner 6 ft
Ottawa : giroux 5ft 11, stutzle 6ft, Batherson 6ft 3
Buffalo : greenway 6ft 6, thompson 6 ft 6, Tuch 6 ft 4
Boston : Marchand 5ft 9, Coyle 6 ft 3, pastrnak 6 ft
Tampa : Hagel 6ft2, point 5 ft 9, Kucherov 5 ft 11
Florida : verhage 6ft 2, Barkov 6ft 3, reinhart 6 ft 2

4 players on 18 are under 6 ft. Then, as poster you come to me and say : size has no importance! Thats just not true. you want first liner? Get size.

Greenway is crap. Coyle is crap. Hagel is crap. None of them belong on a 1st line.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

All eyes will be on Catton's combine measurements. He's having a heck of an offensive season and I loved him at the Hlinka, but I'm probably in the camp that doesn't see us picking him.

If Lindstrom and Demidov are gone, I'd argue that Iginla fits the profile best of what this management group seems to be looking for. Maybe most scouts don't see him top 10 at the moment, but there's some runway left in the WHL season and at the U-18. There's also been exponential growth in his game this year, from outside the first round to the top 10-15 conversation.

U18s are going to be important for Catton. Hlinka is like the worst for scouting. It's a summer tournament.

Hopefully, he's good to go for u18s. It's a highly competitive tournament. If he's a leader for Canada it'll make a big difference for him.

I wasn't crazy about him at last year's u18. I thought he turned the puck over a lot, and was a non-factor really. He was underage though. I definitely want to see a big improvement from him, and be a top player for Canada this year.

 

[HuGort]

Not sure why we keep bringing up height. It’s not just about height, it’s about weight and strength. Yeah Crosby is under 6 feet, but what 6’4 defender is going to knock him on his ass? None, since he weighs like 210 lbs. same with Suzuki, he’s less than 6 feet tall, but he’s built like a brick shithouse. Or Kessel if you want to stay with the Pens of old, another that’s just heavy. Their only small player was Sheary. And these guys were always just built different and heavier.

The problem is players like Marner that are small and light, then they become ineffective. Sorry but Catton falls into that category. If you’re 165 lbs now, you’re not going to magically gain 35 lbs and be the same player.

Small is alright but not too many. Canadiens already have a few small skilled players

 

[HuGort]

All eyes will be on Catton's combine measurements. He's having a heck of an offensive season and I loved him at the Hlinka, but I'm probably in the camp that doesn't see us picking him.

If Lindstrom and Demidov are gone, I'd argue that Iginla fits the profile best of what this management group seems to be looking for. Maybe most scouts don't see him top 10 at the moment, but there's some runway left in the WHL season and at the U-18. There's also been exponential growth in his game this year, from outside the first round to the top 10-15 conversation.

I would take Catton over Ignila. Both be good players though.

 

[jaffy27]

Small is alright but not too many. Canadiens already have a few small skilled players

And not just in the lineup but in the pipeline!

Mysak
Kidney
Kapanan
Mesar
Beck
Guindon
Farrell
Rohrer
RHP

What we have…. Xhekaj and Tuch who we are hoping to project as big skilled forwards?

Need that balance

 

[FrankMTL]

And not just in the lineup but in the pipeline!

Mysak
Kidney
Kapanan
Mesar
Beck
Guindon
Farrell
Rohrer
RHP

What we have…. Xhekaj and Tuch who we are hoping to project as big skilled forwards?

Need that balance

Can we really say players that are 6 foot small? I mean Beck isn't really small. He's 6 foot and already 190 pounds. He will probably end up being right in that average NHL player height and weight. Same with Kapanen if he makes it. For the rest, I agree that they're on the smaller size, but yes, all things being equal I would prefer to get another bigger body in there.

Out of the top forwards prospects in this draft, besides Lindstrom, there aren't any other huge players.

Cayden Lindstrom- 6 foot 4, 216 pounds


Cole Eiserman- 6 foot, 196 pounds
Maklin Celebrini- 6 foot 0, 190 pounds
Tij Iginla- 6 foot 0, 185 pounds

Konsta Helenius- 5 foot 11, 181 pounds
Ivan Demidov- 5 foot 11, 168 pounds
Berkley Catton- 5 foot 11, 163 pounds

I don't mind drafting an "average or slightly under average" size player in the Top 7, but he has to have the drive and tenacity and willingness to get his nose dirty. He's got to be willing to get to the inside. I don't want a perimeter player.

 

[SOLR]

And not just in the lineup but in the pipeline!

Mysak
Kidney
Kapanan
Mesar
Beck
Guindon
Farrell
Rohrer
RHP

What we have…. Xhekaj and Tuch who we are hoping to project as big skilled forwards?

Need that balance

Every team is like that, the skilled 6 foot + are rare and most often in the NHL. You have to draft 3-4 5'10 for one to succeed - that's why many of them are picked round 3 to 7. It's great that RHP became a NHL player.