HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[The Last Red]

I don't know why he dropped, but he did. It wasn't just us, which means teams knew something. At this point, it is what it is. I trust that our management team did their homework and assessed the risk as too high. We ended up with a big stud RD, which is never bad.

We’ll see if he’s a big stud RD.

As for other teams “knowing something” about him too, that was the same reason given why Dan Marino fell so far in the first round . . . and we know how that worked out.

 

[Goalfield13]

We’ll see if he’s a big stud RD.

As for other teams “knowing something” about him too, that was the same reason given why Dan Marino fell so far in the first round . . . and we know how that worked out.

Dan Marino!? LOL WTF. Random.

Edit: Also, I wasn't saying I agreed with it. Just pointing out the reality of the situation. It was Reinbacher or Leonard.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I assume you mean post-Celebrini? Or just outright?

Yes. After Mack obviously

 

[Frank JT]

Eiserman

 

[JT3]

They’re going to draft a forward, it’s pretty clear.

Probably. But didn't we say that last year? And the year before we thought they were definitely drafting a C, but they took Slaf and then turned around and traded for Dach.

Just my humble opinion, but I think they definitely take Lindstrom if he's on the board, and most likely Demidov too. After that you get to Catton, Eiserman, Helenius, Iginla, with Catton probably being the standout there. Perhaps they think those guys likely top out as top 6 forwards but they see a RHD they think can be a top pair guy like Yakemchuk or Parekh. Maybe there's another trade on the table for a forward.

Our biggest need is obviously a top forward so that's the likely answer but who knows what this management team has cooking. I wouldn't say that we definitely won't draft a d-man at this point.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Yes. After Mack obviously

Fair enough, I was wondering if I was witnessing a spicy take

 

[Frank JT]

 

[NeptunesTrident]

So if Chicago takes Levshunov at #2 who would Anaheim take at #3? It makes sense they’d want a RD after dealing Drysdale. But they’d be reaching for Parekh or Yakemchuk. Is this a trade up target for us to get Demidov or Lindstrom?

 

[The Last Red]

Probably. But didn't we say that last year? And the year before we thought they were definitely drafting a C, but they took Slaf and then turned around and traded for Dach.

Just my humble opinion, but I think they definitely take Lindstrom if he's on the board, and most likely Demidov too. After that you get to Catton, Eiserman, Helenius, Iginla, with Catton probably being the standout there. Perhaps they think those guys likely top out as top 6 forwards but they see a RHD they think can be a top pair guy like Yakemchuk or Parekh. Maybe there's another trade on the table for a forward.

Our biggest need is obviously a top forward so that's the likely answer but who knows what this management team has cooking. I wouldn't say that we definitely won't draft a d-man at this point.

I think they’d take Parekh or even Buium over Helenius, but any of Iginla, Eiserman or Catton over a D at 7-9.

 

[Galchenyuk15]

Huh?!? The consensus majority of all prospects near the Habs draft spot in 2023 were forwards, there were very few defencemen. Reinbacher was ranked on average 12th for all scouting reports, the highest of which was 8th by McKenzie.

Our need was much greater for forwards rather than D, and it was common knowledge the 2024 draft would be stacked in D at the top.

He might have been BPA in their mind but its not an easy sell to say he would have been BPA to the general public.

Doesn't mean I won't root for his success, but I don't fully understand their draft strategy.

Go rewatch the video about the 2023 draft of the Habs. Everyone seem to want and have Reinbacher, not even a debate for a forward, at least on the camera, at number 5 because they thought he was the guy with the best chance to have a positive impact on a competitive team later, the only guys who make a quick reminder to his staff was Jeff Gordon in saying skill and talent doesn't come often in this league; if you read between the line double check your stuff with Michkov because we will not have the chance to draft another one of this kind until we get fired!

They built the team to win, not to please anyone, and draft the player they thought he can help to achieve that. Can they draft the wrong guy! Sure like every team but with the progression Slafkovsky have in the last year can we give at least another year at Reinbacher before thinking he was the wrong choice because they have do their job for Slaf and it was only a question of time before he show what he can do; give the same handicap to Reinbacher, we will have a better idea at the same time next year of what he can do.

We miss talent/skill since close to 30 years in playing more anti-hockey than hockey and like every fan I would like to have Michkov but don't forget playing in Montréal is something else and not everyone are born to play here because of the pressure, the media, the night life and all the things around this team; something we forget easily but it's a big part of the evaluation because if you have a bad personality or character thing can go bad pretty fast! Hollywood Hainsey, Nate The Great, Galchenyuk and KK have bite the apple in the Eden Garden when they were in Montréal.

Reinbacher would never be a sexy pick but he can be a hell of a pick. I trust Hughes and his plan, he want to win like everyone here. I really hope he have do his works without being distract by the special situation of Michkov and if he didn't pick him it was for a really good reason. I will never judge Reinbacher vs Michkov because Reinbacher will never look good but by the team success who will achieve with Reinbacher in the roster. If we bring back the 25th Stanley Cup with Reinbacher, Michkov can do 150 points each season I don't care!

Always keep a open mind and pick the best player available. The best selection we have done in the last 30 years was Price at number 5 when we had a young goalie who just came to win a Hart+Vézina trophy and at the time we have big time issue at center since a decade; can you imagine if we have pick Gilbert Brule and not Price; you don't build your roster at the draft table. This time we need a offensive forward and we have too much defenseman and we have pick a defenseman; they should see him has the BPA to make the pick because if it's the opposite it will not be very smart!

 

[WeThreeKings]

Probably. But didn't we say that last year? And the year before we thought they were definitely drafting a C, but they took Slaf and then turned around and traded for Dach.

Just my humble opinion, but I think they definitely take Lindstrom if he's on the board, and most likely Demidov too. After that you get to Catton, Eiserman, Helenius, Iginla, with Catton probably being the standout there. Perhaps they think those guys likely top out as top 6 forwards but they see a RHD they think can be a top pair guy like Yakemchuk or Parekh. Maybe there's another trade on the table for a forward.

Our biggest need is obviously a top forward so that's the likely answer but who knows what this management team has cooking. I wouldn't say that we definitely won't draft a d-man at this point.

Not really, we knew we wouldn't take a left shot defenseman but there was always a clear need on the right side of the defense and when Reinbacher was going at 5 regardless of which team was holding the pick, it was a pretty easy decision for our scouting staff to go with him over Leonard who was the top rated forward they had on the board.

They'd have to staring at Levshunov or Dickinson at pick 7/8 with Lindstrom, Demidov and Catton off the board to forego needs, imo.

 

[JT3]

Not really, we knew we wouldn't take a left shot defenseman but there was always a clear need on the right side of the defense and when Reinbacher was going at 5 regardless of which team was holding the pick, it was a pretty easy decision for our scouting staff to go with him over Leonard who was the top rated forward they had on the board.

They'd have to staring at Levshunov or Dickinson at pick 7/8 with Lindstrom, Demidov and Catton off the board to forego needs, imo.

There were a couple people who saw the Reinbacher pick coming, but the majority of the board seemed to think we were absolutely taking Michkov or Leonard, hence the backlash.

If it were me, I'm taking Celebrini/Lindstrom/Demidov if available. After that it's a discussion for me between Catton and Yakemchuk, but I will readily admit I am way higher on Yak than most. He might be the best D in the draft for me, I love his game. A lot would depend on if there is a trade for a forward on the table as well though. I know he's contentious, but if there is any possibility of getting Zegras for less than our own 1st (which I admit is unlikely), then I strongly consider making that trade and picking Yakemchuk versus just taking Catton. Not to say I wouldn't be happy with Catton as our pick, there's a lot to like there.

 

[RationalExpectations]

So if Chicago takes Levshunov at #2 who would Anaheim take at #3? It makes sense they’d want a RD after dealing Drysdale. But they’d be reaching for Parekh or Yakemchuk. Is this a trade up target for us to get Demidov or Lindstrom?

Would not be surprised if they go Lindstrom and try to trade Zegras for a D. But central assumption should be they go for a D such as Dickinson or Silayev. I don t see them going for a puck mover like Parekh, Yakemchuck is bigger but not reallzüy a physical beast like the other two.

 

[RationalExpectations]

There were a couple people who saw the Reinbacher pick coming, but the majority of the board seemed to think we were absolutely taking Michkov or Leonard, hence the backlash.

If it were me, I'm taking Celebrini/Lindstrom/Demidov if available. After that it's a discussion for me between Catton and Yakemchuk, but I will readily admit I am way higher on Yak than most. He might be the best D in the draft for me, I love his game. A lot would depend on if there is a trade for a forward on the table as well though. I know he's contentious, but if there is any possibility of getting Zegras for less than our own 1st (which I admit is unlikely), then I strongly consider making that trade and picking Yakemchuk versus just taking Catton. Not to say I wouldn't be happy with Catton as our pick, there's a lot to like there.

Worried about Lindstrom injury and lack of reps this year in an already injury plagued line up.

 

[WeThreeKings]

There were a couple people who saw the Reinbacher pick coming, but the majority of the board seemed to think we were absolutely taking Michkov or Leonard, hence the backlash.

If it were me, I'm taking Celebrini/Lindstrom/Demidov if available. After that it's a discussion for me between Catton and Yakemchuk, but I will readily admit I am way higher on Yak than most. He might be the best D in the draft for me, I love his game. A lot would depend on if there is a trade for a forward on the table as well though. I know he's contentious, but if there is any possibility of getting Zegras for less than our own 1st (which I admit is unlikely), then I strongly consider making that trade and picking Yakemchuk versus just taking Catton. Not to say I wouldn't be happy with Catton as our pick, there's a lot to like there.

The majority of the board was warned they just didn't want to believe it. I was trying to tell people for weeks after the combine that they weren't taking Michkov but people wanted to cope and think it was a smokescreen, which made such little sense that they couldn't appropriately defend that thought.

I'd take Catton well ahead of trading for Zegras. Not only do I like Catton more as a player, but you aren't taking on Zegras' contract and having to make a decision on the long term investment so soon on a player of that ilk.

Would not be surprised if they go Lindstrom and try to trade Zegras for a D. But central assumption should be they go for a D such as Dickinson or Silayev. I don t see them going for a puck mover like Parekh, Yakemchuck is bigger but not reallzüy a physical beast like the other two.

If Levshunov is gone, I think Anaheim would take Yakemchuk.

 

[RationalExpectations]

The majority of the board was warned they just didn't want to believe it. I was trying to tell people for weeks after the combine that they weren't taking Michkov but people wanted to cope and think it was a smokescreen, which made such little sense that they couldn't appropriately defend that thought.

I'd take Catton well ahead of trading for Zegras. Not only do I like Catton more as a player, but you aren't taking on Zegras' contract and having to make a decision on the long term investment so soon on a player of that ilk.




If Levshunov is gone, I think Anaheim would take Yakemchuk.

Agreed on Reinbacher and Catton s part.

Regarding Yakemchuk it definitely makes sense for ANA but I am under the impression Dickinson fits the model of Verbeek player more, don t you think ?

 

[WeThreeKings]

Agreed on Reinbacher and Catton s part.

Regarding Yakemchuk it definitely makes sense for ANA but I am under the impression Dickinson fits the model of Verbeek player more, don t you think ?

I think he does but I am not sure if they have as much of a need on the left side on their defense. I do think they are more inclined to go on defense.. they traded Drysdale, Fowler is aging, they have Mintyukov and Luneau on defense with Zellweger coming, but they could definitely use a partner for Zellweger or Mintyukov that have a more defensive slant.

 

[JT3]

Agreed on Reinbacher and Catton s part.

Regarding Yakemchuk it definitely makes sense for ANA but I am under the impression Dickinson fits the model of Verbeek player more, don t you think ?

I think you might have the wrong impression of Yakemchuk. He's probably the most physical of all the top D this year, he loves to mix it up and is a total shit disturber. Absolutely a Verbeek type player if you ask me.

Dickinson is probably a better defender though if they want to balance out with their OFD as WTK said.

 

[SlafySZN]

 

[McGees]

He says there ARE some teams that have him top 10.

 

[WeThreeKings]

He says there ARE some teams that have him top 10.

Yes, Pronman said there were some but not many in his last conversations.

See how that shifts by end of the year. The playoffs and U18s tends to really separate players.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

 

[badfish]

Nathan Villeneuve of the Sudbury Wolves could be a good value pick in the late second/early third round. I saw him on some lists around 90th and that surprised me. He was the 3rd overall pick in the 2022 OHL draft. He looks strong out there, plays well on the forecheck, good skating and a good shot. The Wolves have a deep offense this year with multiple top NHL draft picks (Dvorsky/Musty/Goyette) and returning 19/20-year olds (Delic/McCallum/Konyen), which I think pushed Villeneuve to the 3rd line to start the year. The last games I saw before he was suspended it seemed like he was playing on the 2nd line and looked better compared to earlier in the year. He had 6 goals and 13 points in his last 10 games before being suspended.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I think you might have the wrong impression of Yakemchuk. He's probably the most physical of all the top D this year, he loves to mix it up and is a total shit disturber. Absolutely a Verbeek type player if you ask me.

Dickinson is probably a better defender though if they want to balance out with their OFD as WTK said.

I must admit my non european scouting is limited to highlights and reports so I was under the impression Yakemchuk had less of a physical game than Dickinson but ready to trust you on this one

 

[WeThreeKings]

I must admit my non european scouting is limited to highlights and reports so I was under the impression Yakemchuk had less of a physical game than Dickinson but ready to trust you on this one

I'd say Dickinson is more physical but Yakemchuk is definitely more nasty. So Dickinson defends a lot using his body to separate and throw hits, Yakemchuk will cross-check you, stick you, slash you.. he's a nasty customer.