HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Estimated_Prophet]

It feels like that our scouting team is just really bad at picking high-end forwards, but are really good at drafting defensemen and high-value picks later in the rounds (who then have a chance of becoming good top 9 NHLers).

Obviously still hoping that both Slaf and Mesar hit and that we draft a high-end forward in 2024 as well.

I think sample size and situational disparity play a large role. We have been put in relatively terrible dilemmas when picking high and I think the organization may have played it a little safe with higher picks. It would be nice to have a high pick that is a slam dunk come to us more often as Caufield did but the Slaf, Reinbacher, Mesar picks which by no means should be labelled busts this early were defaulting to perceived safety amidst picks considered by the organization to be too risky (not relevant to the Mesar pick as it was a late first).

 

[Jaynki]

Why w

You say that now, but imagine we pick 7-9 and these 5 are off the board, and Demidov might be a ND regardless.

Celebrini
Eiserman
Demidov
Catton
Lindstrom

Why would Demidov be a no draft?

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Why w

Why would Demidov be a no draft?

I think after witnessing the development and impact of Byfield, Lindstrom goes 3 OA who some view as a better prospect than Byfield.

 

[Jaynki]

I think after witnessing the development and impact of Byfield, Lindstrom goes 3 OA who some view as a better prospect than Byfield.

I also think a productive, skilled 6ft4 center will probably be picked very, very high.

But that dont answer why Demidov would be a no draft

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I also think a productive, skilled 6ft4 center will probably be picked very, very high.

But that dont answer why Demidov would be a no draft

Whether he is draftable or not, his huge upside means that Lindstrom goes higher than Demidov or Catton. Depending how the rest of his year goes, you may even see Lindstrom go before Eiserman. Size, speed and high skill is an intoxicating mixture for most teams. Or at least it should be.

 

[Jaynki]

Whether he is draftable or not, his huge upside means that Lindstrom goes higher than Demidov or Catton. Depending how the rest of his year goes, you may even see Lindstrom go before Eiserman. Size, speed and high skill is an intoxicating mixture for most teams. Or at least it should be.

I also believe he is certainly in the discussion but my viewing on him are very limited this season (1 game + some highlights).

Catton and Demidov might end up very great 5-7 picks.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Why w

Why would Demidov be a no draft?

It's impossible to watch KHL games

 

[Jaynki]

It's impossible to watch KHL games

Hard not impossible, depending of the team.

I would think NHL team can easily access it tho

 

[covfefe]

Will cautiously point out that 43% of Lindstrom's points have come on da PP and he is playing with a future 1st overall pick on said PP.

He's a nice player and will go high but let's be objective in our analysis. I remember a lot of people on here expressing concern with guys who were running in the mid-high 30s. Now we love da PP

It's impossible to watch KHL games

Negative ghostrider, I've been watching KHL games for the past 2 seasons.

 

[NotProkofievian]

It's impossible to watch KHL games

KHL is very watchable.

 

[Goldenhands]

Will cautiously point out that 43% of Lindstrom's points have come on da PP and he is playing with a future 1st overall pick on said PP.

40% of Catton pts came on the PP as well. I love both players, but I feel the Habs need to keep getting bigger, stronger and harder to face.. Its not like Lindstrom lacked skills or IQ.

I cant stand the Habs getting steamrolled by bigger teams anymore.

 

[Mrb1p]

Will cautiously point out that 43% of Lindstrom's points have come on da PP and he is playing with a future 1st overall pick on said PP.

He's a nice player and will go high but let's be objective in our analysis. I remember a lot of people on here expressing concern with guys who were running in the mid-high 30s. Now we love da PP



Negative ghostrider, I've been watching KHL games for the past 2 seasons.

I havent really done extensive evaluation yet but I don't see an egregious difference between Lindstrom and the two other big guy projects from 22 and 23 (Geekie and Musty.) He does look more composed overall and boasts a better package but 2nd overall? Jeezlouiz.

KHL is very watchable.

I think he meant for pro teams scouting, it was the main excuse to not draft Michkov paraded by WTK.

40% of Catton pts came on the PP as well. I love both players, but I feel the Habs need to keep getting bigger. Its not like Lindstrom lacked skills or IQ.

I cant stand the Habs getting steamrolled by bigger teams anymore.

The Habs gets steamrolled by better teams, not bigger.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I think after witnessing the development and impact of Byfield, Lindstrom goes 3 OA who some view as a better prospect than Byfield.

Byfield was much more hyped than Lindstrom and had far more believing in him at this point in his development.

Whether he is draftable or not, his huge upside means that Lindstrom goes higher than Demidov or Catton. Depending how the rest of his year goes, you may even see Lindstrom go before Eiserman. Size, speed and high skill is an intoxicating mixture for most teams. Or at least it should be.

The question remains, just how high is Lindstrom's skill level. I am not convinced yet.

 

[Goldenhands]

Byfield was much more hyped than Lindstrom and had far more believing in him at this point in his development.

Right, but he was trash in his own zone and wasnt as good of a skater while Lindstrom is already supporting his teammates in all 3 zones with alot of maturity, he is already a solid 200 ft. player while Byfield had more flaws to his game.

 

[Mrb1p]

Right, but he was trash in his own zone and wasnt as good of a skater while Lindstrom is already supporting his teammates in all 3 zones with alot of maturity, he is already a solid 200 ft. player while Byfield had more flaws to his game.

Byfield is and was an amazing skater.

 

[Goldenhands]

Byfield is and was an amazing skater.

Byfield was a very good skater for his size, Lindstrom is even more explosive.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Will cautiously point out that 43% of Lindstrom's points have come on da PP and he is playing with a future 1st overall pick on said PP.

He's a nice player and will go high but let's be objective in our analysis. I remember a lot of people on here expressing concern with guys who were running in the mid-high 30s. Now we love da PP



Negative ghostrider, I've been watching KHL games for the past 2 seasons.

Kind of sounds like Michael Rasmussen in his draft year. He gad a ridiculous amount of his points on the pp, but I don't think he played with a high pick, can't remember.

Saw your post in the Matt Savoie thread, so welcome back and hope what came up turned out well.

 

[Ezpz]

We have a ton of size in the lineup and the pool. We need elite skill.

 

[Hannibal]

We have a ton of size in the lineup and the pool. We need elite skill.

What?

 

[Jaynki]

We need Demidov

 

[skidcells]

We have a ton of size in the lineup and the pool. We need elite skill.

We need skill, I agree, but we also need size. Our best prospects on the offensive side aren’t what you call ‘big’.

I’d say we need to:
1- come out of this next draft with an elite forward that also is a possession monster. Aside from Dach, and perhaps Slaf is he hits, we really don’t have that type of player in our system. Roy is close though. If the player also happens to have size then it’s a bonus. Hence why last year I really really wanted Leo Carlson after Bedard. Leo is the exact player archetype we are missing

2- goal scorer. Clearly the team lacks finish. If Caufield isn’t scoring no one is. I would try to blend the scoring with another feature (size, speed etc). Ideally the player would contribute defensively as well. Caufield is great but needs to play with teammates that cover for his defensive shortcomings (that’s why Dach worked so well with Caufield and Suzuki)

3- size. But off course the players also need to understand how to play hockey. We don’t want McCarron types. We want knies etc type of players.

 

[SlafySZN]

We need skill, I agree, but we also need size. Our best prospects on the offensive side aren’t what you call ‘big’.

I’d say we need to:
1- come out of this next draft with an elite forward that also is a possession monster. Aside from Dach, and perhaps Slaf is he hits, we really don’t have that type of player in our system. Roy is close though. If the player also happens to have size then it’s a bonus. Hence why last year I really really wanted Leo Carlson after Bedard. Leo is the exact player archetype we are missing

2- goal scorer. Clearly the team lacks finish. If Caufield isn’t scoring no one is. I would try to blend the scoring with another feature (size, speed etc). Ideally the player would contribute defensively as well. Caufield is great but needs to play with teammates that cover for his defensive shortcomings (that’s why Dach worked so well with Caufield and Suzuki)

3- size. But off course the players also need to understand how to play hockey. We don’t want McCarron types. We want knies etc type of players.

We need dynamic elite skills, first no matter the height.

Guys like Knies are complimentary players. If for some reason we can’t draft the top forwards, i wouldn’t be mad with Lindstrom/MBN either but what we miss is an elite offensive player who could score 90 + points.

 

[skidcells]

We need dynamic elite skills, first no matter the height.

Guys like Knies are complimentary players.

Yes we agree. Point 1 says elite forward. Don’t think you become elite without skills. What I am arguing is that ideally that elite forward is also a possession type of player (see marner for example)

 

[Goldenhands]

Yes we agree. Point 1 says elite forward. Don’t think you become elite without skills. What I am arguing is that ideally that elite forward is also a possession type of player (see marner for example)

Which fowards have elite level potential in this draft? Celebrini and Demidov are likely the only ones who have the potential to be that. Demidov isnt coming without risks though, he is basically in the same situation as Michkov last year. Then you have Eiserman who is a goalscoring machine, but comes with some flaws, at this point at least. Then comes guys like Catton, Lindstrom who project as solid offensive contributors, but not really elite ones. more like 70- 80 pts potential.

So if we cant get 1st OV to grab Celebrini and that Demidov isnt a viable option, it comes down to a 2nd tier of prospects with different packages, personally I prefer Lindstrom's one, kid is a power center with a great puck possession game and ton of potential growth.

If you want a big, fast natural goalscorer, find a way to get another top 10-15 pick and pray that Hemming doesnt have a great WJC. Otherwise Greentree might be another option, but I will need more viewings. I dont think you can get that big talented goalscorer in the 2nd half of the 1st round, but you can possibly get a Knies type of player with a late first, early 2nd, only speculating at this point though.

 

[skidcells]

Which fowards have elite level potential in this draft? Celebrini and Demidov are likely the only ones who have the potential to be that. Demidov isnt coming without risks though, he is basically in the same situation as Michkov last year. Then you have Eiserman who is a goalscorer machine, but comes with some flaws, at this point at least. Then comes guys like Catton, Lindstrom who project as solid offensive contributors, but not really elite ones. more like 70- 80 pts potential.

So if we cant get 1st OV to grab Celebrini and that Demidov isnt a viable option, it comes down to a 2nd tier of prospects with different packages, personally I prefer Lindstrom's one, kid is a power center with a great puck possession game and ton of potential growth.

If you want a big, fast natural goalscorer, find a way to get another top 10-15 pick and pray that Hemming doesnt have a great WJC. Otherwise Greentree might be another option, but I will need more viewings. I dont think you can get that big talented goalscorer in the 2nd half of the draft, but you can possibly get a Knies type of player with a late first, early 2nd, only speculating at this point though.

What type of players are celibrini and Demidov stylistically ?