HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Goldenhands]

I feel like Slaf plays a heavier, slower game - neither being criticisms - and is more geared toward being a playmaker. Lindstrom not quite as strong once the play slows down and not as adept at bringing the puck in off the wall, but a better puck carrier and stronger off the rush.

Yep agree with that. But in term of puckhandling, physical tools and puck possession skills, those are 2 monters in the same mold, they generate possession in all 3 zones.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Yep agree with that. But in term of puckhandling, physical tools and puck possession skills, those are 2 monters in the same mold, they generate possession in all 3 zones.

Yeah Lindstrom is a bit hard to project without seeing his progression throughout the year (we've had particularly bad luck as a team drafting high profile injured players).

I'd still be happy taking him if Celebrini and Demidov are gone. After him I'd like Catton or Iginla up front before Helenius or Eiserman though.

 

[Andrei79]

We're at the stage where we need to be swinging for the fences on every pick, not taking fairly projectable players with 2nd line upside. Helenius is a fine player for a team that is on the margins of the playoffs and could add an extra piece, not for a team starved of offensive talent (which has been for almost 40 years)

It often feels like when people say to swing for the fences, it means to go for a flashy player, one with high risk, who's still actually farther from the pro game than his peers, of which many don't end up doing much of anything. Having a pro game isn't a negative, it means the player often has a lot less hurdles to translate his game.

As an example, I wouldn't consider drafting a Stutzle as a high risk pick. He was skilled, but if you looked at his game in the DEL, he was making NHL plays and converting his skill plays against guys with a decade of pro experience. Drouin was a high risk pick and a brutal one. Tkachuk was a "low" risk, he also already had a pro game with a lot of physical growth.

I'm not saying this is you btw, just putting my thoughts out there. I just want them to pick the player that projects the best. They seem to have done that the last two drafts.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

It often feels like when people say to swing for the fences, it means to go for a flashy player, one with high risk, who's still actually farther from the pro game than his peers, of which many don't end up doing much of anything. Having a pro game isn't a negative, it means the player often has a lot less hurdles to translate his game.

As an example, I wouldn't consider drafting a Stutzle as a high risk pick. He was skilled, but if you looked at his game in the DEL, he was making NHL plays and converting his skill plays against guys with a decade of pro experience. Drouin was a high risk pick and a brutal one. Tkachuk was a "low" risk, he also already had a pro game with a lot of physical growth.

Just pick the player that projects the best.

Issue with that is the "safe pick" is often "projectable" because they're playing a pro game suited to their skill level which doesn't actually translate to the pros. I don't think that's the case with Helenius, but I also don't think he's at the skill level of Catton.

Sure, Catton will try some risky plays but he also attacks the zone in a variety of ways, isn't afraid to attack the middle of the ice, and goes to the dirty areas, especially in front of the net in my viewings.

 

[Draft]

Yep agree with that. But in term of puckhandling, physical tools and puck possession skills, those are 2 monters in the same mold, they generate possession in all 3 zones.

Two slightly different shades of unicorn for sure. Slafkovsky, Dach, and Lindstrom in the top-6 would be wild. The size, athleticism, and physicality would be pretty exceptional. Might be the kind of unique identity the Habs need to get over the rebuild hump.

 

[Andrei79]

Issue with that is the "safe pick" is often "projectable" because they're playing a pro game suited to their skill level which doesn't actually translate to the pros. I don't think that's the case with Helenius, but I also don't think he's at the skill level of Catton.

Sure, Catton will try some risky plays but he also attacks the zone in a variety of ways, isn't afraid to attack the middle of the ice, and goes to the dirty areas, especially in front of the net in my viewings.

Yeah, Catton has things to work on, but he has a lot of tools. I'm not at a point where I can say how projectable he is though. I should have more viewings in the next few weeks. I won't lie either that Helenius is the kind of player I don't enjoy following, a bit like Lundell back then, as many of their shifts/games are a bore.

That said, what I meant is some players unfairly get the "safe" pick label even as they're way ahead of where they should be at their age and still have a lot of upside offensively. I'm thinking players like Heiskanen and Tkachuk. The flip side is there are players like Stutzle that are actually "safe", as they do things offensively at 17-18 that are already translatable in the pros - they're actual real skill players who are also way ahead of their age group, not high risk players like a Ryan Merkley. Some players also unfairly get labeled as skill players when they're actually high risk and limited in their upside.

 

[Goldenhands]

Two slightly different shades of unicorn for sure. Slafkovsky, Dach, and Lindstrom in the top-6 would be wild. The size, athleticism, and physicality would be pretty exceptional. Might be the kind of unique identity the Habs need to get over the rebuild hump.

Thats why I badly want him after Celebrini, Habs would become a steamroller of a team, extremmely painful to play against, especially in playoffs.

 

[DiglettDangles]

I feel like Slaf plays a heavier, slower game - neither being criticisms - and is more geared toward being a playmaker. Lindstrom not quite as strong once the play slows down and not as adept at bringing the puck in off the wall, but a better puck carrier and stronger off the rush.

I feel like that's exactly why MTL should be interested in Lindstrom. We don't really have a bulldozer with a shot (Anderson is cooked) and some nights, Suzuki's finesse is not gonna work. You'll want the pure athleticism to take over then. I think we need variety in the way we score, rather than trying to replicate Suzuki with Catton/Helenius. Also, if Dach were to always miss half-seasons, Slaf would be the only big guy up front and well, we know how that went for the last 30 years.

Obviously this is contingent on Lindstrom still being available, and probably depending on Demidov as well (the pure talent breed that just can't be ignored). Admittedly, Lindstrom makes me more nervous than Catton/Iginla. His specific combination of skills are rare in the NHL, and you gotta wonder if it's because it's truly statistically improbable, or because players with these skills along with his limitations usually don't have quite the expected impact (injuries, limited playmaking).

Personally, I see a brilliant career for Lindstrom in Montreal on the wing, to finish the plays orchestrated by our projected "smart" forward contingent.

 

[Goldenhands]

Yeah Lindstrom is a bit hard to project without seeing his progression throughout the year (we've had particularly bad luck as a team drafting high profile injured players).

I'd still be happy taking him if Celebrini and Demidov are gone. After him I'd like Catton or Iginla up front before Helenius or Eiserman though.

Lindstrom stays high on most lists because you already know what you get, he displayed his tools with consistency, he is easily projectable to me, Im not worried about the injury.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I have made my mind that the Habs won't draft the players I want the most (Catton) in this year draft but I have no doubt in my mind that 4 or 5 years from now Catton will develop as one of the premium superstar player in the NHL. I have rarely seen as a 16 years and a 17 years old carry his whole team like Catton has, he is the whole offense and the whole PK by himself while playing so much and being so clutch for his team. Only player I remember doing that was Crosby with Rimouski (obviously at a higher level) but the way he has handled it all while still having growth potential, especially in term of strength and skating is phenomenal. I am not surprised though that the scouting community is overlooking him after all they did pass on Benson and Caufield for similar reason.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Taking Helenius after this season would feel like winning a game show and being rewarded with an all inclusive trip to Brampton

Yeah, it’d be such a Montreal pick.

 

[The Last Red]

I have made my mind that the Habs won't draft the players I want the most (Catton) in this year draft but I have no doubt in my mind that 4 or 5 years from now Catton will develop as one of the premium superstar player in the NHL. I have rarely seen as a 16 years and a 17 years old carry his whole team like Catton has, he is the whole offense and the whole PK by himself while playing so much and being so clutch for his team. Only player I remember doing that was Crosby with Rimouski (obviously at a higher level) but the way he has handled it all while still having growth potential, especially in term of strength and skating is phenomenal. I am not surprised though that the scouting community is overlooking him after all they did pass on Benson and Caufield for similar reason.

Benson’s proved nothing so far in the NHL.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Benson’s proved nothing so far in the NHL.

Fair as all other prospect from that draft class. Playing in the NHL over the likes of Savoie, Kulich, Rosen and all their other top prospects, not bad at all. Also he has improved significantly over the past season. Only the begining for him. I also assume you said the samething last season after Slafkovsly first season playing in the NHL.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Thats why I badly want him after Celebrini, Habs would become a steamroller of a team, extremmely painful to play against, especially in playoffs.

If they can stay healthy

 

[crosbyshow]

Benson’s proved nothing so far in the NHL.

First if all...Benson made the NHl...at 18... and he is gonna turn 19 only in May..

Second..at the same age he has a better 18 years old season than Slafkovski for example.

Making the Nhl at 18 is already something

Catton will be better than Lindstrom cause he is a lot smarter.

Half of the best forwards in the Nhl were or are less than 6.0.

Catton will be more than fine at 5.11 and around 185 pounds in a year or 2.

Not a single player on our team is able ro make zone entrance variations like Catton...even Suzuki now or when he was in Juniors.

Catton could make more points than Suzuki down the road and at the same age he is better than Suzuki..

I was all in with Quinn Hughes at 3rd overall in 2018 and I feel the same this year with Catton.


The stats and the eye test are clear.....:

Berkly Catton at the same age is better than Nick Suzuki.

Suzuki was drafted 13th overall in a very strong draft.

In the 2017 redraft he would be Top 5.

There is no reason whatsoever to not draft Catton if he still availlaible between 5th an 8th

 

[RationalExpectations]

First if all...Benson made the NHl...at 18... and he is gonna turn 19 only in May..

Second..at the same age he has a better 18 years old season than Slafkovski for example.

Making the Nhl at 18 is already something

Catton will be better than Lindstrom cause he is a lot smarter.

Half of the best forwards in the Nhl were or are less than 6.0.

Catton will be more than fine at 5.11 and around 185 pounds in a year or 2.

Not a single player on our team is able ro make zone entrance variations like Catton...even Suzuki now or when he was in Juniors.

Catton could make points than Suzuki down the road and at the same age he is better than Suzuki..

I was all in with Quinn Hughes at 3rd overall in 2018 and I feel the same this year with Catton.

I see you are high on Catton, I have seen him only in highlights. What is your perception of the comments regarding his defensive commitment or lack thereof ?

 

[crosbyshow]

I see you are high on Catton, I have seen him only in highlights. What is your perception of the comments regarding his defensive commitment or lack thereof ?

In fact Catton has less red flags than Suzuki at the same age. Suzuki was very slow at 18 years old and scouts did not like it.

Catton is not perfect defensively but his passion for the game to becoming always better is thought the roof

 

[WeThreeKings]

Here’s my question. Are we drafting based on need or bpa? Surely some of the d are bpa at 4,5,6,7

It's a bit of both. We are targeting a forward, the consensus 4 defenseman are likely going off the board by the time we pick. So you'd be looking at the 2nd-4th best forwards in the class when we pick, and the 5th-6th best defenseman in the class, both of which have profiles similar to Hutson and Mailloux.

I see you are high on Catton, I have seen him only in highlights. What is your perception of the comments regarding his defensive commitment or lack thereof ?

It's hogwash - he's defensively committed, the problem is that he plays the most minutes out of basically anyone in the entire CHL. So he often has to conserve energy which he does well since he's an absolute menace in the 3rd period offensively.

You will see at the U18s, when he plays more managed minutes, his compete level all over the ice is very good.

 

[RationalExpectations]

It's a bit of both. We are targeting a forward, the consensus 4 defenseman are likely going off the board by the time we pick. So you'd be looking at the 2nd-4th best forwards in the class when we pick, and the 5th-6th best defenseman in the class, both of which have profiles similar to Hutson and Mailloux.



It's hogwash - he's defensively committed, the problem is that he plays the most minutes out of basically anyone in the entire CHL. So he often has to conserve energy which he does well since he's an absolute menace in the 3rd period offensively.

You will see at the U18s, when he plays more managed minutes, his compete level all over the ice is very good.

If it is the case then Catton is my choice at 5OA

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Thats why I badly want him after Celebrini, Habs would become a steamroller of a team, extremmely painful to play against, especially in playoffs.

Combine a top six of size and skill with a big D corps on the way. Our identity will have changed drastically

 

[le_sean]

I hope everyone is enjoying the Catton dreaming now because your hearts will be broken come draft time. Zero percent chance he’s taken by Bobrov and Lapointe.

They will target size (Lindstrom) or if their hand is forced to pick a “smaller” forward, it will be the defensively responsible player playing in a European men’s league (Helenius). Those are the very obvious trends that both men have shown as scouts. Catton is not their type of player.

 

[Whitesnake]

While I don,t entirely agree.....should be clear by now that we are not going small. Catton won't be our pick. They just better not be wrong. I have my reservations on Lindstrom...they just have to be right if that's the call. I just don't think Lindstrom is a better hockey player than Catton at all. But he is bigger....

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Agreed.

I'm expecting Celebrini and Demidov to be selected in the top3.

1-SJ-Celebrini
2-CHI-Demidov
3-ANA-Levshunov
4-CLB-Lindstrom
5-ARI-Silayev
6-MTL-Catton
7-OTT-Dickinson
8-SEA-Buuim
9-NJ-Eiserman
10-PIT-Parekh

I think if Chicago doesn't win the lottery they definitely take a D. They have a second top 20 pick to take a forward.

 

[The Last Red]

First if all...Benson made the NHl...at 18... and he is gonna turn 19 only in May..

Second..at the same age he has a better 18 years old season than Slafkovski for example.

Making the Nhl at 18 is already something

Catton will be better than Lindstrom cause he is a lot smarter.

Half of the best forwards in the Nhl were or are less than 6.0.

Catton will be more than fine at 5.11 and around 185 pounds in a year or 2.

Not a single player on our team is able ro make zone entrance variations like Catton...even Suzuki now or when he was in Juniors.

Catton could make more points than Suzuki down the road and at the same age he is better than Suzuki..

I was all in with Quinn Hughes at 3rd overall in 2018 and I feel the same this year with Catton.


The stats and the eye test are clear.....:

Berkly Catton at the same age is better than Nick Suzuki.

Suzuki was drafted 13th overall in a very strong draft.

In the 2017 redraft he would be Top 5.

There is no reason whatsoever to not draft Catton if he still availlaible between 5th an 8th

I’m not disagreeing with you (nor am I agreeing worth you either). I’m just telling you that Bobrov, and by extension, the Habs, will not use a top 9 pick on Catton. I’m trying to save you an evening of disappointment when the Habs pass on him on draft night.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I hope everyone is enjoying the Catton dreaming now because your hearts will be broken come draft time. Zero percent chance he’s taken by Bobrov and Lapointe.

They will target size (Lindstrom) or if their hand is forced to pick a “smaller” forward, it will be the defensively responsible player playing in a European men’s league (Helenius). Those are the very obvious trends that both men have shown as scouts. Catton is not their type of player.

As I said, I don't disagree your take. The current Habs scouting team shown no prior history with smaller sized player drafted high in the first round. They clearly have an emphasis for size that being said, how in hell did they rate Mesar that high in their ranking... and they also drafted Lane Hutson they sometime go away from that identity.

My point was not that the habs should go with Catton, I would say the only is if they decide to trade down and Catton somehow also drop outside the top 10 which I don't believe it will happen either way.

I just feel good to say that Catton has the most potential of all the forward in this year draft on par with Macklin and Demidov and if properly developed might even become a better player. I just evaluate base on how they can "take charge" of the team offense and how they operate. When I watch Catton I just love how direct he is, no hesitation, he will drive inside, he will transition the puck, he is not a passenger that just collect point on the PP or with secondary assists, he is the main operator, he wants to be the difference maker. The best part is that he is still raw and he can improve especially defensively and with his skating. I feel even with his great season he could become twice the player with proper development, I see a lot of junior decision in him (forcing play) but I also see a lot of frustation with his teammates that are clearly not on par with him in term of talent and abilities. He will be way better when he will play with better players and be asked to do less by himself.