HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[sampollock]

TJ seems to be the guy? we see I guess

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Eiserman's decision making under pressure is execrable and his game away from the puck a major work in progress, I would rather trade up for a kid like Hemming if you want goalscoring, he is bigger, faster and less of a risk than using a top 8 pick on Eiserman IMO.

As for Lindstrom, well I agree, the package is just too attractive and the top 6 would get bigger, something you need in playoffs. But I would be absolutely thrilled with Helenius as well.

As I said, I'll leave it to our scouts. I trust them as they've done a pretty good job so far. If they think Eiserman can't be developed beyond where he is, so be it. I totally get that he's polarizing and hasn't stepped forward as many had hoped.

But at least with him I see that possibility of elite offensive talent - perhaps at a discount. That's my rationale with him. So many snipers have been passed over because they didn't have a complete game... sometimes getting a one way player isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

[The Last Red]

Sounds like a solid player.

One thing I'd say though is that Montreal really needs is an elite scorer. We've needed it forever. Maybe we've got it in the lineup and don't know it but we need a guy who's really good at scoring.

This guy would be such a Montreal pick. Not great at anything but a solid player. Cool, but you can't blame people for not being excited.

Again, I'll defer to the team and our scouts. They know what they're doing. If we draft this guy, great. I'll support it. But I'd be so much more excited about taking a Lidstrom or an Eiserman. Maybe they aren't the all around player but they bring a dimension the club really needs.

Helenius sounds like the kind of player that coaches love . . . but coaches don't pay $400 for a pair in the lower bowl in the Bell Centre. And yes, we also could use an 85-95 pt. player for "hockey" purposes too, not just for entertainment purposes. I can already see the Catton Brigade here saying "That's why we should draft Catton" but I have a hard time seeing him produce at that level in the NHL in his prime.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Helenius sounds like the kind of player that coaches love . . . but coaches don't pay $400 for a pair in the lower bowl in the Bell Centre. And yes, we also could use an 85-95 pt. player for "hockey" purposes too, not just for entertainment purposes. I can already see the Catton Brigade here saying "That's why we should draft Catton" but I have a hard time seeing him produce at that level in the NHL in his prime.

I'm not saying we shouldn't take him. I'm just saying (as a fan) that it'd be nice to get some sizzle with our top pick for a change.

 

[McGees]

I think Habs are much more likely going to trade the WPG pick for immediate help than to move up. They want to compete next season.

 

[The Last Red]

I'm not saying we shouldn't take him. I'm just saying (as a fan) that it'd be nice to get some sizzle with our top pick for a change.

I’m saying we shouldn’t take him (Helenius).

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I’m saying we shouldn’t take him (Helenius).

I don't know enough about these guys to say either way. I've seen clips from some but not others and am just going on what I've read, ratings etc...

For context, I wanted Wright a few years back because of his track record. Questions came up on his drive and he was getting very mediocre results. I still would've preferred him. We took Slaf and... we appear to be dead right on that pick. And in that draft they got Engstrom, Beck and Hutson... all have done nothing but be great since.

So, I'll trust the guys who are paid to make the picks.

But yeah, it'd be nice to see a Hab get 50 goals or 100 points one of these decades. I think CC might get there and maybe we'll see what happens going forward. I think we've got a good club with some potential but I'd love a blue chip guy who can do it. And who knows? Maybe that guy doesn't exist in this draft outside Cellebrini. But Eiserman seems to be a good bet at least to score some goals. And the one game I did see of Eiserman he was flat out awesome vs Boston U. He had a hat trick and a five point night. He destroyed Hutson and Cellebrini.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Eiserman's decision making under pressure is execrable and his game away from the puck a major work in progress, I would rather trade up for a kid like Hemming if you want goalscoring, he is bigger, faster and less of a risk than using a top 8 pick on Eiserman IMO.

As for Lindstrom, well I agree, the package is just too attractive and the top 6 would get bigger, something you need in playoffs. But I would be absolutely thrilled with Helenius as well.

helenius over catton or iginla?

 

[The Last Red]

I don't know enough about these guys to say either way. I've seen clips from some but not others and am just going on what I've read, ratings etc...

For context, I wanted Wright a few years back because of his track record. Questions came up on his drive and he was getting very mediocre results. I still would've preferred him. We took Slaf and... we appear to be dead right on that pick. And in that draft they got Engstrom, Beck and Hutson... all have done nothing but be great since.

So, I'll trust the guys who are paid to make the picks.

But yeah, it'd be nice to see a Hab get 50 goals or 100 points one of these decades. I think CC might get there and maybe we'll see what happens going forward. I think we've got a good club with some potential but I'd love a blue chip guy who can do it. And who knows? Maybe that guy doesn't exist in this draft outside Cellebrini. But Eiserman seems to be a good bet at least to score some goals. And the one game I did see of Eiserman he was flat out awesome vs Boston U. He had a hat trick and a five point night. He destroyed Hutson and Cellebrini.

His ability to score from almost anywhere inside the blue line, regardless of the angle, is insane. You can say he won’t do that on NHL goalies, fine, but there’s no one else on his team, which is a chosen team of the best American 15-18 year olds, can do that right now, to me that says something about his skill level.

helenius over catton or iginla?

No as to either!

 

[WeThreeKings]

That would be good news for his own draft stock. Few kids in their draft year can make the WC, last year Leo Carlsson (2nd OV), Adam Fantilli (3rd OV), David Reinbacher (5th OV). 2022 Slafkovsky (1st OV), Jiricek (6th OV), Nemec (2nd OV). 2021: Owen Power (1st OV) Beniers (2nd OV). 2020: None.

You guys are selling the kid short, 36 pts in 51 GP, 0,71 ppg, 6pts in 6 playoffs games in Liiga. Kid was centering Jukurit 2nd line and was trusted by the coach with a lead or a deficit at any moments of the game.

Kid statistically outperformed Slafkovsky and many other great NHLers in Liiga their draft year.

The toolkit is what makes this player special, he isnt elite at anything, but if you combine his talent level with his skating, motor, compete level and IQ, you get a great top 6 who helps you winning games. He is one of the best players in this draft in tight areas, his puck management is high end level, he has quick hands and processes the game at a very high level. He is relentless on pucks, has great anticipation, great positioning, great pace and just forces his opponents to mistakes or puck losses. He is great at keeping possession, very hard to steal the puck from despite his smallish frame. Has great body strength and wins alot of puck battles in all 3 zones. I would add that he is absolutely great in transition and his passing rate very very high.

I don't think putting him 10 is selling him short. I'm looking for high end skill and I haven't seen it , was hoping to see him at u18s where it'd be there or not.

I'm worried he's more Granlund than Aho, and while his production is impressive I'm asking myself how will he produce in the NHL.

 

[le_sean]

Helenius sounds like the kind of player that coaches love . . . but coaches don't pay $400 for a pair in the lower bowl in the Bell Centre. And yes, we also could use an 85-95 pt. player for "hockey" purposes too, not just for entertainment purposes. I can already see the Catton Brigade here saying "That's why we should draft Catton" but I have a hard time seeing him produce at that level in the NHL in his prime.

I’ll pay the money to see a team that wins. Whether they win 1-0 or 7-6, I don’t give a shit. So if Helenius is boring but helps the team win games, then so be it.

 

[The Last Red]

I’ll pay the money to see a team that wins. Whether they win 1-0 or 7-6, I don’t give a shit. So if Helenius is boring but helps the team win games, then so be it.

You probably already have that kind of player in Owen Beck. Maybe not as productive but same high hockey IQ “safe” player who coaches will love.

 

[Artaud]

Helenius sounds like the kind of player that coaches love . . . but coaches don't pay $400 for a pair in the lower bowl in the Bell Centre. And yes, we also could use an 85-95 pt. player for "hockey" purposes too, not just for entertainment purposes. I can already see the Catton Brigade here saying "That's why we should draft Catton" but I have a hard time seeing him produce at that level in the NHL in his prime.

The Bell center has been sold out at ridiculous prices to see the spectacular Gionta and Gomez duo. The lower bowl is filled with suits busy scrolling Linkedin while their kids OD on cotton candy. The truest fans of the game are found in the pit. It's a counterintuitive logic : the farther you are from the ice, the more invested the crowd is in the game.

That said, this fanbase is thirsty for star-power. Catton looks like the most skilled forward not named Demidov or Celebrini.

 

[Andrei79]

Isn't anyone worried about Helenius' production being inflated ?

I get he's outscored other draft elligible players.

However, everyone on his club had a career year. Some by a lot.

He's also 7th in team scoring, which is low for a top pick in Liiga, unless you have the physical tools and international resume of a foreign player like Slag. He's in a similar situation as Lundell, another vanilla player who's offense was overvalued due to similar circumstances.

 

[habsfan891]

Isn't anyone worried about Helenius' production being inflated ?

I get he's outscored other draft elligible players.

However, everyone on his club had a career year. Some by a lot.

He's also 7th in team scoring, which is low for a top pick in Liiga, unless you have the physical tools and international resume of a foreign player like Slag. He's in a similar situation as Lundell, another vanilla player who's offense was overvalued due to similar circumstances.

He's the last forward I'd pick out of the 2nd tier tbh I have the same concern as you

 

[le_sean]

You probably already have that kind of player in Owen Beck. Maybe not as productive but same high hockey IQ “safe” player who coaches will love.

You can’t really compare Helenius to Beck. He has a lot more tools and a better toolbox.

 

[skidcells]

Helenius sounds like the kind of player that coaches love . . . but coaches don't pay $400 for a pair in the lower bowl in the Bell Centre. And yes, we also could use an 85-95 pt. player for "hockey" purposes too, not just for entertainment purposes. I can already see the Catton Brigade here saying "That's why we should draft Catton" but I have a hard time seeing him produce at that level in the NHL in his prime.

To be fair if Helenius ends up being a 70pt two way force this team will be a contender and likely make long playoff runs year after year. A center line of Suzuki, Dach, Helenius, Beck would be lethal

 

[le_sean]

Isn't anyone worried about Helenius' production being inflated ?

I get he's outscored other draft elligible players.

However, everyone on his club had a career year. Some by a lot.

He's also 7th in team scoring, which is low for a top pick in Liiga, unless you have the physical tools and international resume of a foreign player like Slag. He's in a similar situation as Lundell, another vanilla player whose offense was overvalued due to similar circumstances.

I’d say the Lundell comparison is unfair. Not only is Helenius’ production better in his draft year, he is also 7 months younger going into the draft. He was also one of his team’s best forwards in the playoffs. Lundell made the playoffs in his D+1 year and was a lot worse.

Lundell was always seen as just a solid two-way centre. Helenius has more offensive tools.

 

[Goldenhands]

I don't think putting him 10 is selling him short. I'm looking for high end skill and I haven't seen it , was hoping to see him at u18s where it'd be there or not.

I'm worried he's more Granlund than Aho, and while his production is impressive I'm asking myself how will he produce in the NHL.

I wasnt targeting you particulary, thats a good draft and Helenius only played a couple of games against kids at the WJC, so I understand that people would like to have a larger sample size.

I’d say the Lundell comparison is unfair. Not only is Helenius’ production better in his draft year, he is also 7 months younger going into the draft. He was also one of his team’s best forwards in the playoffs. Lundell made the playoffs in his D+1 year and was a lot worse.

Lundell was always seen as just a solid two-way centre. Helenius has more offensive tools.

Much better skater too.

 

[Goldenhands]

helenius over catton or iginla?

Over Catton thats a no brainer for me, over Iginla, yes for now, we will see after the U18, thats a kid on a superb trajectory curve and I love his game.

 

[River Meadow]

I think Habs are much more likely going to trade the WPG pick for immediate help than to move up. They want to compete next season.

We're not ready to compete next season.

If they are thinking that, we're in trouble.

Use the pick, draft BPA, IMO.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Over Catton thats a no brainer for me, over Iginla, yes for now, we will see after the U18, thats a kid on a superb trajectory curve and I love his game.

ok thx

 

[Michoulicious]

Helenius is the most meh player ever.

Meh skater. Meh shot. Meh vision. Meh offense. Not big.

Good compete.

We need top talent with a top 10 pick, not middle 6 players.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

helenius over catton or iginla?

No to both for me

 

[John B]

I think Habs are much more likely going to trade the WPG pick for immediate help than to move up. They want to compete next season.

You're probably right, but I'm hoping that they don't trade the pick. They're not going to get much for that pick. If they're lucky it will be another middle six forward (which they don't need). The Habs need to swing for the fences with that pick. They need a game changer, and while it's unlikely that they find it with the Winnipeg pick, there's always a chance. You're not getting a game changer in exchange for the pick (unless another team is really stupid). Newhook has looked good so far in a one season sample for the Habs. He looks better than he did in Colorado anyway. Dach has produced when not injured as well (and lets not forget that he was acquired for earlier first rounder not a late first). However, not all these trades work out. Bergevin dealt a late 1st and an early second for Dvorak and look how that has worked out. The Habs need an influx of good forward prospects and this might be the opportunity to add two (with their own 1st rounder and Winnipeg's). Even if they don't use the pick as is instead of trying to add to it to move up.