HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Goldenhands]

If he has your approval then I'm on board.

I think the narrative will change about Helenius after the U18. Just saying...

 

[The Great Weal]

I'm hoping Lindstrom's injury leads to a lack of hype and he falls to us

I'd say there's zero chance this happens. Big, athletic, goalscoring player is pretty much a lock to go top 3.

 

[le_sean]

He’s a bigger body for sure. He’s 6’ now and could easily add another inch and 20-30 lbs. He’s like a Matt Boldy but with an even better shot.

I like Lindstrom a lot too but we already have Dach who fits that mold and Eiserman brings something Habs desperately need, scoring. No one better at that than him in this draft and he’s likely going to set the new record.

So if Habs can add a bigger Caufield to Dach’s line, I think you have a legitimate 1-2 punch and can roll with anyone in the NHl. Other jokes to fill but Eiserman fills a big one really well.

I see no reasonable argument to take Eiserman ahead of Lindstrom. Not only is the ceiling on Lindstrom higher, the floor is too. At the very least a big body that can skate will be useful on a 3rd line - worst case. Best case you have a 1C. Eiserman’s worst case is good AHLer scorer/journeyman NHLer (like today’s version of Hoffman). Can’t really be trusted because he offers nothing but a good shot.

 

[The Great Weal]

I see no reasonable argument to take Eiserman ahead of Lindstrom. Not only is the ceiling on Lindstrom higher, the floor is too. At the very least a big body that can skate will be useful on a 3rd line - worst case. Best case you have a 1C. Eiserman’s worst case is good AHLer scorer/journeyman NHLer (like today’s version of Hoffman). Can’t really be trusted because he offers nothing but a good shot.

I also don't get the "he's a bigger version of Caufield". Caufield's got a ton of compete in him.

He's outworking someone who's nearly a foot taller than him to create a scoring chance.

I'm not crazy about Eiserman. His issues remind me of Wahlstrom who also had a lethal shot (though not as good as Eiserman).

 

[Sterling Archer]

I see no reasonable argument to take Eiserman ahead of Lindstrom. Not only is the ceiling on Lindstrom higher, the floor is too. At the very least a big body that can skate will be useful on a 3rd line - worst case. Best case you have a 1C. Eiserman’s worst case is good AHLer scorer/journeyman NHLer (like today’s version of Hoffman). Can’t really be trusted because he offers nothing but a good shot.

I differ in my option. I think Eiserman has a higher ceiling but a lower floor. I think Habs can take that Im chance especially that they have Dach in that spot. If they didn’t have Dach, I’d agree with you 100% but I don’t think Lindstrom would be a significant enough or at all upgrade on a player we already have but is several years behind in development. That’s why for me, it’s Eiserman.

 

[Nicko999]

Lindstrom has now been out for 3 months after initial expectation was for 4-6 weeks. I am sorry but his is on my DND list. I am against drafting players with a injury history when there are better options. 1 Dach is enough, we don't need another.

 

[le_sean]

I differ in my option. I think Eiserman has a higher ceiling but a lower floor. I think Habs can take that Im chance especially that they have Dach in that spot. If they didn’t have Dach, I’d agree with you 100% but I don’t think Lindstrom would be a significant enough or at all upgrade on a player we already have but is several years behind in development. That’s why for me, it’s Eiserman.

So if the Habs didn’t have Dach, you’d draft for need. Essentially Eiserman fills a need. It’s a bad way to draft.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I see no reasonable argument to take Eiserman ahead of Lindstrom.

A few reasons.

1. Goals. Eiserman is indisputably the best shooter in the draft. Not sure if he’s breaking Caufield’s record but he’s close.

2. He was ranked as the number two guy coming into this draft. And although his stock is falling he’s still ranked quite high on a lot of lists.

3. Lidstrom kinda came from nowhere to suddenly become a top ten prospect. And he’s been injured for a while now. He’s not a blue chip first liner.

Not only is the ceiling on Lindstrom higher, the floor is too. At the very least a big body that can skate will be useful on a 3rd line - worst case.

You sure about this? I gotta be honest with you, a record breaking goal scorer doesn’t have to do much more in order to have a massive ceiling.

Best case you have a 1C. Eiserman’s worst case is good AHLer scorer/journeyman NHLer (like today’s version of Hoffman). Can’t really be trusted because he offers nothing but a good shot.

Best case you have a number one center. Okay… but Mackenzie has said he might be a number two. He was also a late flyer and now can’t be evaluated. There’s risk there for sure.

As for Eiserman, I haven’t read anywhere that he’d be anything but a first line guy. However, the concern is that you’ll have to pair him with someone to hide the weaknesses. As for his ceiling… the guy knows how to score. One season where he’s been less than a goal per game since he was twelve. I’d say his ceiling is pretty high.

Would not surprise me if both were available at 7th.

 

[bcv]

Lindstrom is 6’4 already, maybe he will be 6’6. It goes both ways. Fact remains, to label Eiserman as big is inaccurate. You’re also selling Lindstrom short, he has great hands and plays centre. Either you keep him there or he shifts to wing assuming Dach still grows in his role. Medicine Hat were an .700 team until he got hurt and since then they’ve been below .500. He has an impact everywhere and is a true headache to play against.

Eiserman is a good prospect, but all he offers is a shot. There’s a reason he’s slipping in everyone’s rankings despite the numbers, he just hasn’t shown more than one true skill.

Saying Eiserman is only a shot is folly.

Also, I just brought up Eiserman’s size because you said he wasn’t big.

 

[KevSkillz4]

View attachment 836902

If Habs pick Silayev before these guy, I would don't know how to react, I will quit my job, I will quit my girlfriend, I will go to another country, like Australia, something like that and speak with animals.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

So if the Habs didn’t have Dach, you’d draft for need. Essentially Eiserman fills a need. It’s a bad way to draft.

Everyone needs goals.

 

[le_sean]

Lindstrom has now been out for 3 months after initial expectation was for 4-6 weeks. I am sorry but his is on my DND list. I am against drafting players with an injury history when there are better options. 1 Dach is enough, we don't need another.

Which is why you might get a 2nd overall talent at 7-8. Habs need quality.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Saying Eiserman is only a shot is folly.

Also, I just brought up Eiserman’s size because you said he wasn’t big.

Yep. Eiserman has all the physical tools. Seems to have th toolbox too.

But he’s a selfish player. Doesn’t use his passing skills, doesn’t backcheck, not a play driver… that’s the real risk.

But I think that can be developed. He can be taught and MSL has shown he can get the best out of his players.

You can’t teach goal scoring.

Which is why you might get a 2nd overall talent at 7-8. Habs need quality.

I haven’t seen Lidstrom ranked number two anywhere. I’ve seen Eiserman ranked at two on several rank sheets.

 

[le_sean]

Saying Eiserman is only a shot is folly.

Also, I just brought up Eiserman’s size because you said he wasn’t big.

A kid with that many goals slipping in the draft rankings must just be some weird coincidence then.

And yeah I was responding to another poster who said he was a big sniper then said “well he might grow” as a response

 

[bcv]

A kid with that many goals slipping in the draft rankings must just be some weird coincidence then.

And yeah I was responding to another poster who said he was a big sniper then said “well he might grow” as a response

Don’t really give two shits about the draft lists, they’re only good to identify draft ranks.

 

[le_sean]

Don’t really give two shits about the draft lists, they’re only good to identify draft ranks.

Of course, doesn’t fit the narrative. A guy that was pencilled into the #2 spot before the year started by pretty much every scout is now creeping to the later part of the Top 10 despite his good production.

Someone said they wouldn’t take Lindstrom because of the injuries, I’m more concerned about the lack of compete from Eiserman. Can he be coached? Maybe. Or maybe he’s just another Shane Wright.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

View attachment 836902

Interesting. I was waiting for someone to post Brown's results. Mainly his slot pass success. I figured it was low.

Catton can get impatient when a team plays a structured box 5 on 5, and instead of making the easy play to the point will often try passes through the box that get picked off or are too off to get to the intended target leading to loss of possession, and a rush the other way.

Catton is almost 100% a rush player. The NHL isn't a rush league. Something like 75% of play is along the boards, and trying to break down structure. He gets impatient in close quarters, and in trying to break down boxes.

He's a talented kid, and does have a competitive fire. There's a lot in his game that reminds me of Drouin though. I get nervous just thinking about it.

 

[bcv]

Of course, doesn’t fit the narrative. A guy that was pencilled into the #2 spot before the year started by pretty much every scout is now creeping to the later part of the Top 10 despite his good production.

Someone said they wouldn’t take Lindstrom because of the injuries, I’m more concerned about the lack of compete from Eiserman. Can he be coached? Maybe. Or maybe he’s just another Shane Wright.

I remember Wright was your boy right until draft night and loathed the idea of drafting Slaf (same as me btw). Then right away you became a big detractor of Wright and Slaf was a golden boy. Your dislike of Eiserman might just be PTSD.

Anyway, I have an opinion of Eiserman I’m comfortable with, disagreeing with it is perfectly fine, it’s true that I’m just some dude on the internet. It’s all good.

 

[le_sean]

I remember Wright was your boy right until draft night and loathed the idea of drafting Slaf (same as me btw). Then right away you became a big detractor of Wright and Slaf was a golden boy. Your dislike of Eiserman might just be PTSD.

Anyway, I have an opinion of Eiserman I’m comfortable with, disagreeing with it is perfectly fine, it’s true that I’m just some dude on the internet. It’s all good.

You’re right, I did prefer Wright. We also didn’t have Dach at the time and only had Suzuki down the middle. Then when you see the stare down, the entitlement, the playoffs, you start to understand why Wright wasn’t picked 1st. That’s why smarter people have those jobs and have the benefit of interviewing players. I never got to interview him.

And now smarter people are moving Eiserman down their lists. I haven’t seen a lot of him but what I have seen, I like some things and not others. I do like several forwards a lot more.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Interesting. I was waiting for someone to post Brown's results. Mainly his slot pass success. I figured it was low.

Catton can get impatient when a team plays a structured box 5 on 5, and instead of making the easy play to the point will often try passes through the box that get picked off or are too off to get to the intended target leading to loss of possession, and a rush the other way.

Catton is almost 100% a rush player. The NHL isn't a rush league. Something like 75% of play is along the boards, and trying to break down structure. He gets impatient in close quarters, and in trying to break down boxes.

He's a talented kid, and does have a competitive fire. There's a lot in his game that reminds me of Drouin though. I get nervous just thinking about it.

Maybe during interviews this year instead of asking bro psych questions like "What Powerpuff girl would you align yourself with?" or "Would you suck out a toilet full of water with a straw to get a $20 at the bottom?" we can break down game tape with them and figure out why they feel they made these mistakes and if they're open to being taught.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Maybe during interviews this year instead of asking bro psych questions like "What Powerpuff girl would you align yourself with?" or "Would you suck out a toilet full of water with a straw to get a $20 at the bottom?" we can break down game tape with them and figure out why they feel they made these mistakes and if they're open to being taught.

They do that too. Both Slafkovsky & Wright mentioned they went over game tape with them in different interviews. Teams usually have multiple interviews with players over the year.

 

[overlords]

Maybe during interviews this year instead of asking bro psych questions like "What Powerpuff girl would you align yourself with?" or "Would you suck out a toilet full of water with a straw to get a $20 at the bottom?" we can break down game tape with them and figure out why they feel they made these mistakes and if they're open to being taught.

Buttercup or gtfo

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Interesting. I was waiting for someone to post Brown's results. Mainly his slot pass success. I figured it was low.

Catton can get impatient when a team plays a structured box 5 on 5, and instead of making the easy play to the point will often try passes through the box that get picked off or are too off to get to the intended target leading to loss of possession, and a rush the other way.

Catton is almost 100% a rush player. The NHL isn't a rush league. Something like 75% of play is along the boards, and trying to break down structure. He gets impatient in close quarters, and in trying to break down boxes.

He's a talented kid, and does have a competitive fire. There's a lot in his game that reminds me of Drouin though. I get nervous just thinking about it.

I am not worried is he continue developing and add more tools to his game. I think Kucherov is a good example of that. I could also say the same with Nylander or Barzal. What I like about Catton is that he does not slow down and play with pace and he can execute with pace.
Drouin game is more similar to Andrew Cristall if we go by full comparison, like to slow down and use his hands + edge to create chances.

Catton will require development and IMO playing with better players would help him a lot because he is trying to do too much and create chance all by himself. His situation reminds Brayden Point who was by far the most talented player on a horrible team. At the end of the day whichever team select Catton will get a player with tremendous upside if you want a star player out of this draft it's him or Demidov.

I am not gonna lie though, Iginla is very impressive if you want a safe reliable top 6 forward. Very simple game but effective and with a goalscoring touch. I am liking him way more with more viewing.

 

[Michoulicious]

Coming around quite a bit about the forwards of this draft outside of Demidov, that I always loved... Really still like the Ds, but I can't put Eiserman out of my top 5 and Catton has risen a lot even if I'd like him to have a bigger frame.

My current top 5 reflects that.

1. Celebrini
2. Dickinson
3. Demidov
4. Eiserman
5. Catton
6. Silayev
7. Levshunov
8. Lindstrom
9. Buium
10. Yakemchuk

HM: Parekh, Connelly, Iginla

Still like Lindstrom but injuries cool me a bit, and there was always some toolbox question to the impressive toolkit. Still a good pick. It is really close between 2 and 10 for me.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Caufield question marks were and are to be fair still related to his size and the overall impact, never about IQ and effort which is why Eiserman has been dropping from what I read.

Caufield’s stock was only rising as he got closer to the draft where we mostly were sure he was going top 5