HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[teamfirst]

This is misleading, the full quote was "if there is a player available that is better and more skilled than the rest, we will draft that player. But all things equal, we would draft for need".

So if there is a clear BPA they will pick him regardless of position. If they view two players of different position as close/equal, they will pick the "need".

Same quote we ear when asked about Québec players, it means absolutely nothing, all things are never equal

 

[dcyhabs]

Same quote we ear when asked about Québec players, it means absolutely nothing, all things are never equal

With prospects unless you have absolutely elite prospects in the top few the comparison is between guesses of how the prospects will develop over the next 4-5 years. Lots of reports try to make it seem like there is a huge, measurable difference between the guy ranked sixth and the guy ranked eighth, but the evaluations are not that accurate even for point in time, much less when the players hit the NHL.

It's not easy to choose the right player, and it's not easy to evaluate scouting over time. There is enough noise it's hard to find any signal.

 

[Leto]

2. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo (KHL) 6’7, 211 L
Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 211 pounds

He isn't likely going to be the power play specialist he was at the start of the season, but he skates extremely well and handles the puck without issue. Reminds me of Nikita Zadorov.

Hard to be sold on Silayev at 2 when Cosentino compares him to Zadorov .

 

[Garnet76]

Hard to be sold on Silayev at 2 when Cosentino compares him to Zadorov .

I will add he has 3-4 years left on his contract in the KHL. That's a long time and I think that ultimately is going to push him down the board on draft day.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I will add he has 3-4 years left on his contract in the KHL. That's a long time and I think that ultimately is going to push him down the board on draft day.

I could see San Jose being fine with that timeline, but honestly i don't care what team I'm the gm of, I'm not picking him until after 10th, if not later.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

I'd be very very curious to know where our scouts have Eiserman on their list. I still can't decide between "he just doesn't want to be involved" and "he's not smart enough to be involved". The first one could be solved.

 

[Guess]

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!

I watched the video, I think that there are some voices in the room that are much louder than others, I doubt that it was truly unanimous. It's too bad that they only focus on the players that are drafted and not the other potential players. That would help at least understand more of their thought process.

Agreed that many players wouldn't be able to handle Montreal, but now we also have better tools to help the players survive here (mental performance coach, skills coaches, a GM who was an agent and knows how to make letters comfortable), I think that some of the players we drafted in the past may have panned out better with this group.

Nice comparison with the Price draft, not sure what rank he was at the time but it was definitely not well received among the fanbase.

My main concerns are the clear lack of talent at forward in both the NHL and AHL teams, in comparison to other positions which we are plentiful in. That will force us to pick for need for the next while.

The Habs also mention that they make every pick in mind with the performance in the playoffs, and I'm pretty sure they were referencing Vegas when talking about how defense wins championships, but Vegas has also been using the LTIR to help bolster their depth beyond what would be ordinarily possible, and Vegas has much more skill at forward, along with a true #1C.

Appreciate the well written and thoughtful post! Cheers.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I watched the video, I think that there are some voices in the room that are much louder than others, I doubt that it was truly unanimous. It's too bad that they only focus on the players that are drafted and not the other potential players. That would help at least understand more of their thought process.

Agreed that many players wouldn't be able to handle Montreal, but now we also have better tools to help the players survive here (mental performance coach, skills coaches, a GM who was an agent and knows how to make letters comfortable), I think that some of the players we drafted in the past may have panned out better with this group.

Nice comparison with the Price draft, not sure what rank he was at the time but it was definitely not well received among the fanbase.

My main concerns are the clear lack of talent at forward in both the NHL and AHL teams, in comparison to other positions which we are plentiful in. That will force us to pick for need for the next while.

The Habs also mention that they make every pick in mind with the performance in the playoffs, and I'm pretty sure they were referencing Vegas when talking about how defense wins championships, but Vegas has also been using the LTIR to help bolster their depth beyond what would be ordinarily possible, and Vegas has much more skill at forward, along with a true #1C.

Appreciate the well written and thoughtful post! Cheers.

Vegas has a star Eichel and depth at the forward position and forwards at the level of the Habs first line. They just have more of them.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Yakemchuk or Parekh to the Senatord could make a lot of sense.

 

[Whitesnake]

Just give me a play driver. That's all I'm asking for.

 

[HuGort]

If we get Lindstrom, I'd pair him with Dach and Caufield. Having two monster bodies creating space and controlling the puck will give Caufield every opportunity to finish.

Slaf and Suzuki seems like a solid pair that I would not break up. Rotate Roy and Newhook through that line and see if one of them can take the next step. This assuming, we don't go out and land Zegras.

Maybe go out and land Anthony Mantha as a UFA for our third line. He can still put up 20-25+ goals per. Another huge man.

Slaf - Suzuki - Roy
Lindstrom - Dach - Caufield
Mantha - Newhook - Anderson

Lindstrom been injured. Cosentino had him ranked 10 tonight. On Hockey Central show. Buium he had 8th. Sounded high on him. Over ppg as freshman. Unheard of for 18 year old college

 

[Sagikev]

No lol.

Not at all. Stop that.

I agree with you but his edges are pure sex so I like him more

 

[Sagikev]

I'm more than satisfied with NHL teams pouncing on the defenders ahead of the Habs; while they are all great prospects in their own rights, they aren't foolproof future No. 1 defenders either (and I prefer Buium to at least three of them anyway).

As for Pronman's scoring system, I would just ignore it. I find he even contradicts himself at times, where he'll say someone has good puck skills in the write up, but then rate them at below average.

2 Or 3 years ago he said that Makar wasn't an elite skater.

 

[Sagikev]

Better for the Habs if teams are hesitant to take Lindstrom. Adding another big body like that would really set the team up nicely. Then you can play with the lines and see who works best with who without worrying about being too small.

Or you could really f*** with teams and put him with Slafkovsky and Dach

Slaf - Dach - Lindstrom
Xhekaj - Mailloux

Keep your head up buddy

 

[The Last Red]

2 Or 3 years ago he said that Makar wasn't an elite skater.

Almost as bad as McCagg saying that Strome was better than McDavid.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'd be very very curious to know where our scouts have Eiserman on their list. I still can't decide between "he just doesn't want to be involved" and "he's not smart enough to be involved". The first one could be solved.

I really want us to make our pick and get a second one so we can take Eiserman.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Yakemchuk or Parekh to the Senatord could make a lot of sense.

Dickinson is probably what they need the most. Could see them going after Yakemchuk. With Chabot I don't think Parekh makes the most sense for them.

 

[Mrb1p]

I agree with you but his edges are pure sex so I like him more

Thats fair. You can think Demidovs offense will translate better or what ever and prefer him for that.

When you say hes more of a team player or defensive presence or whatever, Im gonna call you the f*** out. Pretty telling the guy hasn't seen him play.

 

[SlafySZN]

I will add he has 3-4 years left on his contract in the KHL. That's a long time and I think that ultimately is going to push him down the board on draft day.

He has 2 years to his contract, not 3 or 4. Until 2025-2026.

And in a top notch organisation who develop the kids and give them ice time in the KHL.

 

[Hannibal]

Jesus qe might have a chance at Lindstrom. That would be sweet.

His injury might be a blessing in disguise.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

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.

Your opinion is your opinion but it certainly can not and should not be arbitrarily inserted into the conversation as fact.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

He has 2 years to his contract, not 3 or 4. Until 2025-2026.

And in a top notch organisation who develop the kids and give them ice time in the KHL.

I wouldn't refer to any organization in Russia as top notch as it is an incredibly corrupt country. This is not an indictment on it's citizens but of an Authoritarian dictatorship that allows organized crime to thrive throughout the country with it's tentacles running deep into all forms on industry/commerce.

 

[HuGort]

Buium rookie year in college had more points than Quinn Hughes's rookie year in college. Hughes went 7th, Buium slated to go around same. Could be steal of draft.

 

[le_sean]

Buium rookie year in college had more points than Quinn Hughes's rookie year in college. Hughes went 7th, Buium slated to go around same. Could be steal of draft.

He’s a star in the making. You might have teams looking at Lane Hutson and seeing that there’s a defender that’s just as skilled, slightly bigger and a better skater. Quinn Hughes will probably win the Norris this year and they are comparable. I still expect bigger defenders like Levshunov and Dickinson to be picked before, but Buium could be right behind.

 

[sampollock]

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

Blood lines mean squat..