HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Steph Gonzalez had mentioned on BPM Sports radio the other day that he got the info that Habs met Iginla 4 times.



Anthony Matineau mentioned that Habs met both Parekh and Catton twice. Once in person and once over Zoom. He also reported that Habs haven't met Eiserman yet. They've only had him fill out a questionnaire for them.

I know Martineau is a bit trust worthy, but is BPM/Gonzalez ?

 

[Mrb1p]

I think many would objectively select Iginla over Demidov

That would be dumb and Im the biggest Iggy fan.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I know Martineau is a bit trust worthy, but is BPM/Gonzalez ?

He's not an insider. He's a radio host. But I don't think he'd come out and say this if he doesn't have reliable info.

 

[The Last Red]

He's not an insider. He's a radio host. But I don't think he'd come out and say this if he doesn't have reliable info.

Why not? I'm not saying he's lying but there's no downside to making things up if you're in the media and the upside is that people, like us here, are talking about you.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Why not? I'm not saying he's lying but there's no downside to making things up if you're in the media and the upside is that people, like us here, are talking about you.

If he did this on multiple occasions before and what he said didn't happen, I'd be with you. But he doesn't. If there was no downside to making things up as a radio host, he'd be doing it more often.

 

[le_sean]

If he did this on multiple occasions before and what he said didn't happen, I'd be with you. But he doesn't. If there was no downside to making things up as a radio host, he'd be doing it more often.

His co-host Laraque spews made up shit all of the time. So I take it with a grain of salt.

Though I will say this would be quite a random thing to lie about.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Damn those are Nic Petan numbers. Watch out everyone.

I know you just want attention but Petan was playing with the best team in the WHL. He was considered a PP specialist and he was an average skater, nothing applying to Catton there. You might as well start bringing name like Thinel, Locke, Dvorak while you are at this, this has nothing to do with pure point production. Heck go even take a look at Parascak if you just want stats his situation is way more similar to Petan.

I still don't even know why people keep bringing stats to make a point, anybody that watch Catton play can identify why he is different and why he can project well to the NHL.

For instance, last year, 3 WHL small sized top prospect were "hyped" as potential top 20, they all had very good production, and only one of them was eventually drafted in that range (Benson) because of his motor and engagement + talent level and that project very well to the NHL.

The other two names had significant weaknesses in their game that are hard to correct, skating + pace + defensive game + slowdown too much (Cristall) and playmaker/ perimeter player with average skating (Heidt). This is harder to correct but it will require for them to adjust significantly their game when they reach the pro game, that being said, they are still very talented and there are outside chances their overcome this and have good career but that is not a given.

This IMO does not apply to Catton, he is a fast skater, play with pace, he can transition the puck like a pro, he attacks the middle, he can shoot, he can pass, he has hands, he already as a very projectable pro game. His main weaknesses which are still worrying but are a bit exagerated (especially for a team like the Habs lacking pure talent) are his defensive game, his physicality and trying too much with the puck. The physicality does not bother me as much because he has a lot room to grow and mature in size as he is only 18 years old (that being said he will require to have great off ice discipline and work ethic) that is where the psychological side is important, is he willing to put the work off ice to get stronger? I don't know but in this specific case I assume he wants to be a pro and if offered proper physical training programs during the summer, we could start seing significant improvement as soon as next season project and this over 3 or 4 years is where it is becoming exciting, a 5'11 190+ player with his level of talent could become top 20 NHL scorer.

The defensive worry is a bit more problematic but not lethal to his career, only if we want him/insist to play center in the NHL, it would require for Catton to sacrifice some part of his game and offense involvement by stopping to only think about offense all the time. He can do it, many players have done it but even then in the worst case scenario for him you move him to the wing and then it is less of an issue anymore. I still have my worry that he could not become a NHL center but my worries dissipate if he is transfered to a LW.

Then about doing too much by himself, I think this is applicable to all skilled players but I don't see constant brain cramps by him or making very bad decisions, I see a guy who want to create offense and playing with limited talent make you trying to do more by yourself and trying to take more charge on your own. I think if he played with top talent this would be less of an issue. This issue way also applicable to Will Smith, Logan Cooley and even Macklin Celebrini. His on ice vision is actually elite.

 

[The Last Red]

His co-host Laraque spews made up shit all of the time. So I take it with a grain of salt.

Though I will say this would be quite a random thing to lie about.

And there’s been no downside for Laraque.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

If he did this on multiple occasions before and what he said didn't happen, I'd be with you. But he doesn't. If there was no downside to making things up as a radio host, he'd be doing it more often.

You'd legit be surprised with what little actual accountability sport radio people have to show to their bosses. As long as it generates the right number of clicks/views/audience, you can get away with making up pretty much anything, as long as there's a small parcel of truth in it.

 

[Adam Michaels]

His co-host Laraque spews made up shit all of the time. So I take it with a grain of salt.

Though I will say this would be quite a random thing to lie about.

Which is why if Laraque said it, it wouldn't be worth mentioning. Because he has a history. But it's Gonzalez, who doesn't have a knack to share some info he gets.

 

[The Last Red]

If he did this on multiple occasions before and what he said didn't happen, I'd be with you. But he doesn't. If there was no downside to making things up as a radio host, he'd be doing it more often.

Some people are more “ethical” than others.

 

[bcv]

And there’s been no downside for Laraque.

It's almost as if two different person can act differently.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Elite Prospects came out with their top 96 today. Article is paid, but this is their top 25.

1. Macklin Celebrini (C)
2. Ivan Demidov (W)
3. Cayden Lindstrom (C)
4. Artyom Levshunov (RD)
5. Zayne Parekh (RD)
6. Tij Iginla (F)
7. Berkly Catton (C)
8. Sam Dickinson (LD)
9. Anton Silayev (LD)
10. Zeev Buium (LD)
11. Cole Eiserman (W)
12. Konsta Helenius (C)
13. Liam Greentree (W)
14. Trevor Connelly (W)
15. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (W)
16. Andrew Basha (W)
17. Igor Chernyshov (W)
18. Carter Yakemchuk (RD)
19. Beckett Sennecke (W)
20. Miguel Marques (W)
21. Nikita Artamonov (W)
22. Sacha Boisvert (C)
23. Teddy Stiga (F)
24. Charlie Elick (RD)
25. Harrison Brunicke (RD)

 

[le_sean]

Elite Prospects came out with their top 96 today. Article is paid, but this is their top 25.

1. Macklin Celebrini (C)
2. Ivan Demidov (W)
3. Cayden Lindstrom (C)
4. Artyom Levshunov (RD)
5. Zayne Parekh (RD)
6. Tij Iginla (F)
7. Berkly Catton (C)
8. Sam Dickinson (LD)
9. Anton Silayev (LD)
10. Zeev Buium (LD)
11. Cole Eiserman (W)
12. Konsta Helenius (C)
13. Liam Greentree (W)
14. Trevor Connelly (W)
15. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (W)
16. Andrew Basha (W)
17. Igor Chernyshov (W)
18. Carter Yakemchuk (RD)
19. Beckett Sennecke (W)
20. Miguel Marques (W)
21. Nikita Artamonov (W)
22. Sacha Boisvert (C)
23. Teddy Stiga (F)
24. Charlie Elick (RD)
25. Harrison Brunicke (RD)

Funny I keep hearing from the Catton lovers that his positives are far greater than we think and the weaknesses aren’t really weaknesses. Yet the amateur scouting group that typically LOVE players like him have him as the 3rd WHL forward. Behind two players that produced significantly less than him. Almost as if it’s obvious that they have more pro translatable skills.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Elite Prospects came out with their top 96 today. Article is paid, but this is their top 25.

1. Macklin Celebrini (C)
2. Ivan Demidov (W)
3. Cayden Lindstrom (C)
4. Artyom Levshunov (RD)
5. Zayne Parekh (RD)
6. Tij Iginla (F)
7. Berkly Catton (C)
8. Sam Dickinson (LD)
9. Anton Silayev (LD)
10. Zeev Buium (LD)
11. Cole Eiserman (W)
12. Konsta Helenius (C)
13. Liam Greentree (W)
14. Trevor Connelly (W)
15. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (W)
16. Andrew Basha (W)
17. Igor Chernyshov (W)
18. Carter Yakemchuk (RD)
19. Beckett Sennecke (W)
20. Miguel Marques (W)
21. Nikita Artamonov (W)
22. Sacha Boisvert (C)
23. Teddy Stiga (F)
24. Charlie Elick (RD)
25. Harrison Brunicke (RD)

Lidstrom is gonna be interesting. I wonder if that back injury makes people shy away.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Iginla, Catton or Eiserman and I'm happy man.

 

[Shutdown]

based on name alone i want Steady Teddy Stiga if he drops to the second round

 

[le_sean]

Don’t really care about Calgary fans one way or another, but it will be funny once other teams start parading around with Iginla jerseys if all of his kids make the NHL.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Funny I keep hearing from the Catton lovers that his positives are far greater than we think and the weaknesses aren’t really weaknesses. Yet the amateur scouting group that typically LOVE players like him have him as the 3rd WHL forward. Behind two players that produced significantly less than him. Almost as if it’s obvious that they have more pro translatable skills.

Again, are you drafting a player based on their draft rank projection or their potential?
Are you fixated that much on draft ranking or the ability of the player?
With Berkly Catton, I already told you, he will most likely not even be a top 10 draft selection come draft time Does that mean he stinks? No. Does it means all NHL teams don't like him? No. Does it mean he is a bust? No. It means NHL teams want more projectable prospect and are more risk averse when selecting in the top 10.

 

[bcv]

Funny I keep hearing from the Catton lovers that his positives are far greater than we think and the weaknesses aren’t really weaknesses. Yet the amateur scouting group that typically LOVE players like him have him as the 3rd WHL forward. Behind two players that produced significantly less than him. Almost as if it’s obvious that they have more pro translatable skills.

It's almost as if people can have differing opinions on things, especially when EVERYONE (pros and amateurs) get it wrong more than they get it right. Not every disagreement is a personal attack against you.

 

[le_sean]

It's almost as if people can have differing opinions on things, especially when EVERYONE (pros and amateurs) get it wrong more than they get it right. Not every disagreement is a personal attack against you.

You should take your own advice. The fact I didn’t mention you and you feel the need to make it about me is quite the indicator.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

It's almost as if people can have differing opinions on things, especially when EVERYONE (pros and amateurs) get it wrong more than they get it right. Not every disagreement is a personal attack against you.

Hard disagree.

People not validating my specific views on undrafted hockey prospects is an attack on my values, my intelligence and my very identity, and I refuse to let those people off the hook.

Also, Sam Dickinson is not worth dumping Kaiden Guhle. 100% confirmed in my books.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Is Sennecke a hound on the puck, good on faceoffs and a leader ?

Also, tell me about Charlie Elick

 

[Adam Michaels]

Iginla, Catton or Eiserman and I'm happy man.

For me, Iginla and Lindstrom are probably the two forwards I want the most. I keep reading that Eiserman's draft stock is dropping. I don't know enough to know why, but a natural goal scorer like him isn't easy to find.

Demidov and Catton are two forwards I'd be happy with.

And with this draft being heavy on D, the likelihood one of those 5 forwards will be available when the Habs pick is high.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

If you like Eiserman and you're seeing his stock is dropping and your targets above him are gone, would you trade back to get an extra pick, or two and see if he's there then, or just take him at 5/6/7/ wherever the Habs finish ?