HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[SOLR]

We don't talk enough about Levshunov on this board.

 

[Michoulicious]

We don't talk enough about Levshunov on this board.

He has certainly the chance to be a stud #1, 25 mins/game D.

He has all the tools, but I am not 100% sold on the toolbox part. Anyways, I like him and Dickinson a lot.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

We don't talk enough about Levshunov on this board.

I'm sure he'll be a solid dman for whatever team can afford to draft another defenseman.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Lundell and Helenius don't have similar playing styles and have very different tools, he isn't a comparable. With several high-end tools, exceptional compete, and elite IQ, the framework for Helenius to be a top line player is there. Not every elite offensive player looks like McDavid or Point. Thomas, Kyrou, and Aho are not world beaters with their tools. If Helenius can perform like this in Liiga at this age and get a spot on the WC team without elite tools, what is this player capable of if his skating or shot improve?

Playing a mature, efficient game does not mean low-skill or low upside. In fact, it often requires a very high skill level and indicates translatable play in the NHL. I genuinely think this is a high ceiling, high floor type of player that could be a big part of our team in the near future.

It's mind boggling how the value of elite hockey IQ often gets dismissed here. In a modern hockey world where almost all top 6 NHL forwards skate and have strong puck skills, hockey IQ is the trait that most often differentiates them.

 

[KFlint]

Not a specialist at all but from what I gathered after Celebrini and perhaps Demidov, picking the BPA is not straight forward at all this year and teams will have very different lists. Unlike last year where the top 4 was extremely clear, this year is a bit weird.

So I won’t blame the habs for picking any high end forward this year, it’s logical considering the context. We certainly wouldn’t pass on a Victor Hedman type of D if he was available at 2-5-6 this year…

 

[HURRICANES ROCK]

Drafting odds

58.2% chance of drafting 6th or 7th

Not sure how they can get 3rd so where does that .3% come from?

 

[Balthazar]

Not sure how they can get 3rd so where does that .3% come from?

Flyers win 1st lottery and Habs win 2nd lottery

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Drafting odds

58.2% chance of drafting 6th or 7th

How the heck can we get 3rd?

 

[HURRICANES ROCK]

The Habs are 95% going to pick a forward. If it is the best player available scenario and they pick 5 to 7, I don't think any one player will be heads and tails better than the other so a forward will be the choice. If they get the second pick, who knows as maybe the best D-man available (after Celebrini goes first of course) is way better than any forward they might take the D-man, but I think even then they will take the best forward. Who that is is the big question.

 

[Apfel Struble]

Sorry man, edit: I was wrong.

Lundell in his draft year was at .64PPG (44gp/28pts) for the regular season.

Helenius in his draft year is at .705PPG (51gp/36pts) for the regular season and 1.0PPG (6gp/6pts) in the playoffs.

Laine in his draft year was at .717PPG (46gp/33pts) for the regular season and .83PPG (18gp/15pts) in the playoffs.

Lundell and Helenius don't have similar playing styles and have very different tools, he isn't a comparable. With several high-end tools, exceptional compete, and elite IQ, the framework for Helenius to be a top line player is there. Not every elite offensive player looks like McDavid or Point. Thomas, Kyrou, and Aho are not world beaters with their tools. If Helenius can perform like this in Liiga at this age and get a spot on the WC team without elite tools, what is this player capable of if his skating or shot improve?

Playing a mature, efficient game does not mean low-skill or low upside. In fact, it often requires a very high skill level and indicates translatable play in the NHL. I genuinely think this is a high ceiling, high floor type of player that could be a big part of our team in the near future.

The more I read about Helenius, the more I'm sold to be honest. A high compete two-way non-undersized forward who can play everywhere is exactly what this team needs IMO

He may very well be the pick. I'll be sure to pay extra attention to him at the WC

 

[Goldenhands]

Sorry man, edit: I was wrong.

Lundell in his draft year was at .64PPG (44gp/28pts) for the regular season.

Helenius in his draft year is at .705PPG (51gp/36pts) for the regular season and 1.0PPG (6gp/6pts) in the playoffs.

Laine in his draft year was at .717PPG (46gp/33pts) for the regular season and .83PPG (18gp/15pts) in the playoffs.

Lundell and Helenius don't have similar playing styles and have very different tools, he isn't a comparable. With several high-end tools, exceptional compete, and elite IQ, the framework for Helenius to be a top line player is there. Not every elite offensive player looks like McDavid or Point. Thomas, Kyrou, and Aho are not world beaters with their tools. If Helenius can perform like this in Liiga at this age and get a spot on the WC team without elite tools, what is this player capable of if his skating or shot improve?

Playing a mature, efficient game does not mean low-skill or low upside. In fact, it often requires a very high skill level and indicates translatable play in the NHL. I genuinely think this is a high ceiling, high floor type of player that could be a big part of our team in the near future.

Not only they dont compare in style and talent at all, but Helenius hasnt turned 18 yet while Lundell was an october birthdate.

 

[HURRICANES ROCK]

Flyers win 1st lottery and Habs win 2nd lottery

OK thanks. So this is a weird scenario. Habs win 2nd lottery but only move up to 3rd. I did not realize that the 2nd winner could not move ahead of the 1st winner if the 1st winner did not get the first pick.

Where did you find this info or did you figure it out? (Not the odds for all the teams as that is readily available but this particular weird Flyers/Habs scenario.)

edit. I just read the rules very carefully and this makes sense. I also deduce from that if Pitt, Minny or Det win, the Habs could still get the second spot if they are the 2nd lottery pick winner.

 

[Playmaker09]

It's mind boggling how the value of elite hockey IQ often gets dismissed here. In a modern hockey world where almost all top 6 NHL forwards skate and have strong puck skills, hockey IQ is the trait that most often differentiates them.

I'd argue the word elite gets thrown around way too generously.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

OK thanks. So this is a weird scenario. Habs win 2nd lottery but only move up to 3rd. I did not realize that the 2nd winner could not move ahead of the 1st winner if the 1st winner did not get the first pick.

Where did you find this info or did you figure it out? (Not the odds for all the teams as that is readily available but this particular weird Flyers/Habs scenario.)

edit. I just read the rules very carefully and this makes sense. I also deduce from that if Pitt, Minny or Det win, the Habs could still get the second spot if they are the 2nd lottery pick winner.

If you win the 1st, or 2nd you only move up a maximum of 11 spots.

 

[skidcells]

Not only they dont compare in style and talent at all, but Helenius hasnt turned 18 yet while Lundell was an october birthdate.

Keep posting those Helenius videos. You are slowly starting to turn me around on him. He plays with a pace of execution that reminds of Reinbacher. Seems to know where he wants to go with it as soon as the puck touches his stick. That’s extremely translatable

 

[L4br3cqu3]

He has certainly the chance to be a stud #1, 25 mins/game D.

He has all the tools, but I am not 100% sold on the toolbox part. Anyways, I like him and Dickinson a lot.

Yeah, same for me, I personally want a forward with our first pick, cause that's where we're sorely lacking in our prospect pool, but if Dickinson or Levshunov are available, I know I wouldn't mind one bit if we select one of them.

 

[The Last Red]

The Habs are 95% going to pick a forward. If it is the best player available scenario and they pick 5 to 7, I don't think any one player will be heads and tails better than the other so a forward will be the choice. If they get the second pick, who knows as maybe the best D-man available (after Celebrini goes first of course) is way better than any forward they might take the D-man, but I think even then they will take the best forward. Who that is is the big question.

It seems to be either Demidov or Lindstrom.

 

[Cubebrick]

It's mind boggling how the value of elite hockey IQ often gets dismissed here. In a modern hockey world where almost all top 6 NHL forwards skate and have strong puck skills, hockey IQ is the trait that most often differentiates them.

I feel like some believe that flashiness strictly results from a high hockey IQ, which to be fair is the case in some situations, but these two are not necessarily mutually inclusive.

I dont see Helenius as a limited upside player, because he is more NHL ready than Catton doesnt mean one has more upside than the other. Helenius might still keep imrpoving and get better at everything.

Also Helenius' hockey IQ is among the best ones in this draft class when it comes to forwards. I don't find him to be particularly flashier than his draft peers (though he still has some swag) but I have not seen many shifts in which he was not very effective out there. His attention to details are impressive, and he is perhaps my favorite transition/rush driver in the draft.

I suppose people can question him on his tools but I find that there is no grounds to believe that his entire toolbox isn't ranging from above average to elite just by watching him in league play. The tools translating to the NHL is another question mark but it also applies to pretty much every prospect not named Celebrini. Him playing a mature game already brings the question of if his game has much room left to grow as opposed to others but I personally think his game can definitely still improve.

I will be very surprised if he doesn't become a solid top 6 forward. I'm not fond of comparisons and I get that Aho is the easy one to make but I don't think it's unlikely that he becomes as effective as him. And he has done nothing to suggest that he does not belong in the range right after Demidov & Lindstrom (barring injury issues).

Helenius at 5/6/7 is a good pick in my book.

 

[The Last Red]

The more I read about Helenius, the more I'm sold to be honest. A high compete two-way non-undersized forward who can play everywhere is exactly what this team needs IMO

He may very well be the pick. I'll be sure to pay extra attention to him at the WC

He won’t be the pick at 5.

 

[sampollock]

According to the information I received today, if Eiserman is available when the Canadiens draft, they will not select him. » -Tony Marinaro

 

[Skip Bayless]

According to the information I received today, if Eiserman is available when the Canadiens draft, they will not select him. » -Tony Marinaro

Hmmm. I don't trust Marinaro on habs stuff, but the media guys are usually right when they say they wont pick a certain guy.

 

[Team_Spirit]

HFHabs would go nuclear lol

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Sennecke is looking good.

 

[PavelBrendl]

Earlier this year I had a dream we selected Helenius 8th overall. Guess I’m a f***ing fraud after all.

 

[DrBizz4r3]

With the teams with the best odds to finish second (CHI/SJ) needing top d prospects, do you think there is a possibility of a trade 2 vs 5th ++. They may bet that their prospect will still be there and adding valuable pieces and i think that we are in for quantity for quality. Demidov would be a dream but a small russian winger could make a gm prefer the safe d option. I it almost never happens, but i find it interesting that Hugues say trade up or down if they think that the Bpa at their rank is not a forward