HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[SannywithoutCompy]

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

I thought Caufield was a sure shot to Edmonton, him and McDavid would have been a sight to behold

 

[JeffreyLFC]

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

His fall was very surprising but NHL teams are very dumb, they get nervous in drafting small talented players. Nobody could tell me that drafting players like Caufield, Debrincat or Stankoven at their respective draft rank is not because of the label "too small" or "too risky".

 

[Michoulicious]

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.

The big problem with Eiserman is the fact Celebrini has had such a great season and is such a good 2-way player that he pales in comparison. However, we tend to forget he is a scoring winger, not a 2-way C like Celebrini... and wingers tend to get passed on early in the draft for Cs or Ds.

But what gets lost here is if Eiserman was born a few weeks later, he'd have been a 2025 draft elligible. He'll never be a 2-way player, but he certainly could become a scoring threat like a Filip Forsberg or, even better... The power of his shot is on another level. Potential and talent is through the roof, and is at a level like no prospect we would have drafted since Caufield or maybe Galchenyuk at the time.

If he drops like many think and he is still there around 5-9 where Habs will likely pick, I think he's the kind of player I'd go for if the scouting shows that he has a good attitude and that he is a coachable kid. Of course if he is en entitled brat, you don't go with your top pick for a player like that, but I have not read/seen things about attitude problems. People seem to complain about his lack of effort on ice, maybe also a tunnel vision toward shooting when he is pressured... Which I can't blame to much for since his shot is so good that it is very often the best play for him to shoot. Maybe with star linemates in the NHL can he uses more his passing abilities, which I think are quite a bit underrated?

A powerplay with Hutson at the point, Caufield on the left side, Eiserman on the right, Suzuki on the bumper and Slafkovsky in the net front would be just unreal.

The shooting threat from Caufield/Suzuki/Eiserman at the same time? Man.

So much potential.

 

[The Last Red]

The entertainment value from the epic meltdown that will occur here after the Habs draft Eiserman with pick 7-9 (or 6-8) is going to be just awesome. I actually can’t wait.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

The entertainment value from the epic meltdown that will occur here after the Habs draft Eiserman with pick 7-9 (or 6-8) is going to be just awesome. I actually can’t wait.

Honestly I will not be mad about any of the top 15 rated player. They all have some pros and cons but they are quality prospects. This draft for some reason is similar to 2020. The top 13 are all quality players, some will disappoint based on the expectations but I do not see bad players or complete bust.

 

[Nicko999]

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

Lindstrom was not ranked 2nd overall before his injury nor after.

 

[The Last Red]

Honestly I will not be mad about any of the top 15 rated player. They all have some pros and cons but they are quality prospects. This draft for some reason is similar to 2020. The top 13 are all quality players, some will disappoint based on the expectations but I do not see bad players or complete bust.

I just don’t want Helenius with a top 10 pick, and I’m very wary of Catton’s size. I think there’s zero chance we draft the 6’7” Russian D.

 

[le_sean]

Lindstrom was not ranked 2nd overall before his injury nor after.

He’s a 2nd overall talent. I didn’t say he was ranked 2nd.

No, Eiserman was ranked 2nd and kept falling. Lindstrom was an honourable mention in September then climbed to 5th. I know who I want.

 

[HuGort]

Spector did a mock Draft. Had us picking Lindstrom and Hemming with Jets pick.

 

[Goldenhands]

Spector did a mock Draft. Had us picking Lindstrom and Hemming with Jets pick.

That would be just too good, if Lindstrom drops to our spot, thats a no brainer, Hemming is quite underrated, one of the best goalscorers in the draft, he is stuck on a fourth line on TPS, same crap Slaf had to deal with.

 

[L4br3cqu3]

Spector did a mock Draft. Had us picking Lindstrom and Hemming with Jets pick.

That would be just too good, if Lindstrom drops to our spot, thats a no brainer, Hemming is quite underrated, one of the best goalscorers in the draft, he is stuck on a fourth line on TPS, same crap Slaf had to deal with.

I know I wouldn't mind that one bit, some more size/skill on the wings would do us wonder in the long run (if they pan out, obviously)

 

[Tyson]

Hutson with an assist as BU take a 4-2 lead.

His assist came from a real good defensive play.

How much better is Bedard over this Celebrini kid?

 

[Gustave]

Hutson with an assist as BU take a 4-2 lead.

His assist came from a real good defensive play.

I need a dose of Celebrini injected in my veins just as much as Barney needed his truckload of Duff injected in his veins

 

[Adam Michaels]

How much better is Bedard over this Celebrini kid?

If Habs dreaft Celebrini, Bedard is a chump next to him.

 

[Nicko999]

He’s a 2nd overall talent. I didn’t say he was ranked 2nd.

No, Eiserman was ranked 2nd and kept falling. Lindstrom was an honourable mention in September then climbed to 5th. I know who I want.

I beg to differ. Demidov is more skilled. I would argue Catton as well.

 

[montreal]

How much better is Bedard over this Celebrini kid?

I think it will end up being close as Celebrini much like his twin in Demidov have that lanky frame that need to improve their lower body strength so in a few years they could own the NHL if they can get stronger

 

[The Great Weal]

How much better is Bedard over this Celebrini kid?

It's essentially center version of Patrick Kane vs Jonathan Toews

 

[Agalloch]

Could Antonin Verreault be someone interested to draft in the 7th round (as a overager?)

He leads the QMJHL in points this year.

 

[SlafySZN]

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.

Caufield is a good rush player too. You could play Catton and CC together with Slaf or Dach, for board play. And Suzuki with Dach/Slaf and someone else. Could be pretty good.

 

[HuGort]

I know I wouldn't mind that one bit, some more size/skill on the wings would do us wonder in the long run (if they pan out, obviously)

I would really like to keep Jets pick instead of trading it as many suggest. There's talent available like Hemming or Letourneau. You can tell we not going to get much for Jets pick going by Newhook trade. We got half of Newhook for Florida first in a deeper draft.

Give the money a Dach or Newhook type signs for, add little to it and sign a UFA. Like a Savard on left side or 30 goal guy like a younger Toffoli type signing from past. Trading these first picks are not overly working out.

 

[crosbyshow]

Catton!!!!!

He has now 52 goals and 111 points in 65 games.

Look at this:

In the same league in the WHL:

1- Zach Benson last season did 98 points in 60 games with 36 goals.

This year he has 23 points with the Sabres at 18 years old.

He was drafted 13th overall in a very strong draft where he slided because of his frame at 5.9..and a lot of teams will regret to pass on him soon....

2- Brayden Yager did 78 points in 62 games last season. He was drafted 14th overall by Pittsburgh last year and this season in the WHL he has not the pace of Catton with a year older.

Catton at 5.11 is a hell of a player. He has not the frame of Lindstrom but he is a lot smarter.

He is a Top 5 talent easily.

If we draft 5th to 8th.....we will regret it if we pass on him..

 

[Galchenyuk15]

His fall was very surprising but NHL teams are very dumb, they get nervous in drafting small talented players. Nobody could tell me that drafting players like Caufield, Debrincat or Stankoven at their respective draft rank is not because of the label "too small" or "too risky".

100%! Everything is about the size or speed, they don't look enough at the fundamentals, hockey sense and what you can do with the puck. They pick everyone who is big, can skate with some tools! Logan Stanley (18th) vs Adam Fox (66th) or Maverick Lamoureux (29th) vs Lane Hutson (62th)! The first one is a giant pylon, the other one a hockey player ...

When your big guy, who can't play hockey, make the NHL, he handcuff the 4 others guy he played with it; Josh Anderson say hi! Remember Mike Komisarek at 8th, who can't make 2 consecutive pass without creating a icing; how good Markov would have look if he have play with a really good one? Remember Turner Stevenson who can't deke the puck and if he do it he take 10 seconds to go left to right!

When you build a house did you look for a guy who have every tools in the world but can't put a nail in a plank or you look for someone who can do some magic with only a hammer and a saw? The NHL scout like the first one, not me; they would be awesome scout in rugby!

Maybe at some point they will understand they need to draft a hockey player to work on their game and stop believing in miracle in drafting a guy who can't play hockey but has every tools in the world because in the end, even if he make it, he will have some major flaws. You can learn too play without the puck not the opposite! Even if Turner Stevenson would have practice 60 hours a week with Gretzky, he would have still the same bad hockey player he was before; you can't think for another one on the ice, you have it or not.

Target your big guys with your assets, pay the price for the guys you want with the qualities you need. How many pick you waste on Luke Tuch or Connor Crisp type of player before having one like you want? You better to overpay for a finish product a la Nick Paul then try to win at the loto!

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Caufield is a good rush player too. You could play Catton and CC together with Slaf or Dach, for board play. And Suzuki with Dach/Slaf and someone else. Could be pretty good.

If we were to draft Catton, I'd play him on wing with Dach & Caufield for sure. His issues are almost identical to what Caufield's were at draft time. Stutzle too.

Catton isn't small. He's weak. He needs to gain strength in a big way. He also needs to use his body better. There's feistyness in him though. He isn't a push over.

With how much Roy has improved & even Slafkovsky, I'm really starting to believe in our development team, so I think Catton would really grow under our influence.

 

[JC Superstar]

I need a dose of Celebrini injected in my vains just as much as Barney needed his truckload of Duff injected in his vains

You're so vain.

 

[Gustave]

You're so vain.

Veins
Thanks JC