HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Hannibal]

Basu said something similar but he seems to really think there gonna be one of Lindstrom or Demidov available where we’ll be.

Man hope Basu is right. If not, go Iginla.

 

[Leto]

For further clarification, the surgery was on his hand/wrist. The rumoured back injury is something separate that I've really only seen talked about on HF.

It's Corey Pronman who mentioned the back injury. See this podcast episode at around 9:15-9:35 .

 

[WeThreeKings]

I can see Lindstrom being there at our pick due to the injuries, Demidov is a pipe dream though unless we're picking 2nd.

Not necessarily.

Consensus is shifting toward the 4 defenseman being the tier behind Celebrini. None of the teams picking in front of us have such a good defense vs. forward situation that they would reach out of that tier.

Demidov also hasn't played above the MHL level in the actual season, no U18s no U20s, there are evaluation points missing there too.

Things can change as there's still some critical evaluation points left but that is the way the draft is projecting at the moment.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Demidov ain't going to last till sixth or seventh if he repeats this morning's work.

 

[Habs Icing]

It’s just weird that he even admits in his profile of Eiserman that he has one elite tool and needs coaching to figure the rest out. But why would a player with one elite tool be ranked ahead of players with multiple elite tools like Lindstrom, Catton, Yakemchuk? Doesn’t make sense.

The three players you mentioned are Canucks. Eiserman is a fellow Yank. Maybe his bias is not intentional but they're trying to sell the game in the States. This draft is not a banner one for the Americans.

 

[Habs Icing]

McCagg was on sick Podcast tonight. Said if top 3 forwards are gone Habs likely taking right D. He's called the last 2 selections

And who are the 3 top forwards according to him?

 

[BergevinBurner]

Not necessarily.

Consensus is shifting toward the 4 defenseman being the tier behind Celebrini. None of the teams picking in front of us have such a good defense vs. forward situation that they would reach out of that tier.

Demidov also hasn't played above the MHL level in the actual season, no U18s no U20s, there are evaluation points missing there too.

Things can change as there's still some critical evaluation points left but that is the way the draft is projecting at the moment.

I still view Demidov as the clear cut 2nd forward and I'd take him before any of the defensemen.

I personally don't see the draft going Celebrini followed by 4 to 6 consecutive defensemen, which is what it'd likely take for him to reach us in my eyes. The only team I feel confident would pass on him is Ottawa, the rest of the pack are just as desperate for offense as us.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

And who are the 3 top forwards according to him?

Probably Celebrini, Demidov and Lindstrom

 

[MeanMugging91]

Really hope we finish 5th to insure we get one of the top 3 forwards. If we finish higher I'll be pretty nervous heading in. We would need a couple helps in order to get one at 7 I think. I'd be fine drafter Catton at that position but I get the feeling habs are overly into him.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I still view Demidov as the clear cut 2nd forward and I'd take him before any of the defensemen.

I personally don't see the draft going Celebrini followed by 4 to 6 consecutive defensemen, which is what it'd likely take for him to reach us in my eyes. The only team I feel confident would pass on him is Ottawa, the rest of the pack are just as desperate for offense as us.

San Jose has not drafted a defenseman in the 1st round in 5 years, they are more desperate for defenseman than offense.

Chicago drafted Bedard, Moore, Reichel, etc. they only have drafted Korchinski in the first round.

Anaheim just traded Drysdale to get Gauthier, and picked Carlsson and MacTavish in the top 4 of drafts. Outside of Mintyukov their defensive prospects have promise but have question marks.

Columbus is a team that would lean forward but the left side doesn't have anything to write home about long term with Werenski getting older.

Arizona despite taking Simashev last year still took But, Cooley, Guenther, Geekie and have Keller on their team. Defense is a need.

Ottawa will trade Chychrun, Chabot is pure offense, Sanderson is good, but giving up goals is an issue.

Really only Columbus looks to take a forward and if the consensus around NHL GMs and Scouts is that tier 2 is the 4 defenseman, I don't see any team beside CBJ jumping that convention for a forward.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Demidov with 3+1 and OT goal, his team wins the series in 1/4 3-0, and he leads the playoffs in scoring with 6+10 after 8 games. Btw Artamonov has 5+1 in 6 games.

 

[BergevinBurner]

San Jose has not drafted a defenseman in the 1st round in 5 years, they are more desperate for defenseman than offense.

Chicago drafted Bedard, Moore, Reichel, etc. they only have drafted Korchinski in the first round.

Anaheim just traded Drysdale to get Gauthier, and picked Carlsson and MacTavish in the top 4 of drafts. Outside of Mintyukov their defensive prospects have promise but have question marks.

Columbus is a team that would lean forward but the left side doesn't have anything to write home about long term with Werenski getting older.

Arizona despite taking Simashev last year still took But, Cooley, Guenther, Geekie and have Keller on their team. Defense is a need.

Ottawa will trade Chychrun, Chabot is pure offense, Sanderson is good, but giving up goals is an issue.

Really only Columbus looks to take a forward and if the consensus around NHL GMs and Scouts is that tier 2 is the 4 defenseman, I don't see any team beside CBJ jumping that convention for a forward.

For Chicago and San Jose I think it'll come down to their internal BPA's since their both so early into their respective rebuilds and have needs across the board. I don't know what to expect from Anaheim, but their forward core has been pretty underwhelming this season and is lead by a 30 year old Vatrano, so I wouldn't rule them out from taking a forward.

 

[WeThreeKings]

For Chicago and San Jose I think it'll come down to their internal BPA's since their both so early into their respective rebuilds and have needs across the board. I don't know what to expect from Anaheim, but their forward core has been pretty underwhelming this season and is lead by a 30 year old Vatrano, so I wouldn't rule them out from taking a forward.

I'm not ruling anyone out but if the consensus is that it's Celebrini and a tier of 4 defenseman, I don't see a team in a similar situation to us where they'd go forward regardless. A lot of those teams have taken their forwards high already and haven't really stocked their defenseman.

 

[SlafySZN]

Demidov ain't going to last till sixth or seventh if he repeats this morning's work.

Insane, insane work to make his team win.

 

[EveryDay]

I really hope they draft a forward with our 1st pick and not a defenceman again. We really need another top line player.

1-Celebrini

2-Demidov

3-4-Catton/Lindstrom
5-Iginla
6-Eiserman

Anyone think that Helenius will be picked top 10?

 

[WeThreeKings]

I really hope they draft a forward with our 1st pick and not a defenceman again. We really need another top line player.

1-Celebrini

2-Demidov

3-4-Catton/Lindstrom
5-Iginla
6-Eiserman

Anyone think that Helenius will be picked top 10?

He's more likely to go top 10 rn than Iginla or Eiserman.

 

[BergevinBurner]

Anyone think that Helenius will be picked top 10?

I wouldn't say it's impossible, but probably unlikely.

I feel like Demidov and Lindstrom are a lock to go before him, and guys like Eiserman and Catton are likely to go before him. So unless there's 6 forwards taken in the top 10, then I think he probably slips to the early teens.

 

[SlafySZN]

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

My early Christmas list gift in order

Celebrini
Demidov
Lindstrom
Iginla

 

[WeThreeKings]

 

[teamfirst]

Anaheim just traded Drysdale to get Gauthier, and picked Carlsson and MacTavish in the top 4 of drafts. Outside of Mintyukov their defensive prospects have promise but have question marks.

They may think they can pick a forward with their pick thinking they could trade Zegras to a team like MTL if Biium is still avalaible.

And i really think that Hugo would think about trading their pick for a young top 6 establish forward if their guy is gone when they draft, it all depends on who is still available when we pick

 

[WeThreeKings]

They may think they can pick a forward with their pick thinking they could trade Zegras to a team like MTL if Biium is still avalaible.

And i really think that Hugo would think about trading their pick for a young top 6 establish forward if their guy is gone when they draft, it all depends on who is still available when we pick

By all accounts it looks like the Zegras more is media driven and less in the belief of the Anaheim organization - so it would be dependent on whether that is true, or not. But you'd have to have that worked out well in advance, that doesn't typically get done on the fly.

I'm not sure if there's a top 6 forward out there that fits in the window that can be had with that pick, I'd probably just take Catton and be done with it, personally.

 

[teamfirst]

By all accounts it looks like the Zegras more is media driven and less in the belief of the Anaheim organization - so it would be dependent on whether that is true, or not. But you'd have to have that worked out well in advance, that doesn't typically get done on the fly.

I'm not sure if there's a top 6 forward out there that fits in the window that can be had with that pick, I'd probably just take Catton and be done with it, personally.

It all depends if Hugo wants someone ready to help them next season or if they are ready to wait 3 years to have a real impact

 

[SlafySZN]

What a shot he has, though.

 

[DAChampion]

I like the idea of Lindstrom. No idea if he's the best player after Celebrini.