HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[MSLs absurd thighs]

That hasn’t happened to me, I’m still waiting.

The minute you realize 90% of the things he does in junior is not translatable in the NHL, the exciting prospect of picking him turns out being a not-so-exciting prospect.

Knowing what we know about this management so far, I would be flabbergasted if they passed on Lindstrom unless they know something about his medical situation.

Scott Wheeler said he's likely not going to partake in the physical evaluations at the combine. I expect this to hurt his stock quite a bit. I definitely would expect him to be there at 5.

I think there's a high probability someone not named Celebrini/Demidov/Levshunov/Silayev is being picked in the top-4. And in a draft like that it could end up being one hell of a surprise, like a team REALLY liking a guy like Parekh or Catton, who knows.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Knowing what we know about this management so far, I would be flabbergasted if they passed on Lindstrom unless they know something about his medical situation.

Knowing what I know about Gorton/Hughes and our scouts, they go after the hot trending guy like Slaf and Reinbacher. Lindstrom is not trending hot but he does have the size/skill/skating package.

 

[Addik04]

Well explained. Not to take anything away from Sennecke, but those dangle moves don't work on guys who know how to play D in the NHL. I do like this hands and shot though. Just don't know how this translates at the pro level.

Whenever I watch video, I always look at how that player is doing what they are doing. Loaded talent on their line, PP open space, D breakdowns, weak D because they are young, etc.

Sennecke's has 5 U17 international games. No U18's or anything else to evaluate. It would be reach to take him 5 IMO. Looking good in the CHL and stalling in the AHL/NHL has to be carefully evaluated.

Sennecke is 8-13 range consideration. We can debate this which is fair but it would be reaching to justify picking him 5th.

I am not the biggest Sennecke fan, trying to be smarter and go with potential for a few games versus one full year. IMO, there are more probabilities with him that it goes wrong vs Lindstrom or Iginla for example.

However, saying that these dangles, his moves that works in junior wont work in the NHL, it's not a good argument.

Take RNH, MacKinnon, Johnston, etc, (I just listed a buch of guys, dont take the name for it, but ore the argument) all the good players have made those kind of moves in junior. They need to be able to recognize that they have space, that the opponent's stick is not well placed, etc. Of course, it will not be the same in the NHL, but I prefer someone who sees that and makes them than someone who doesn't. His moves aren't luck. He sees the space and reacts to it. That is what we are looking for. Someone who recognizes that and is able to pull the move.

If they show the IQ for that kind of move, the higher the probability that he will recognize what he needs to do against men, what he needs to do, to go, etc. He reminds be a bit of Marner, but at 6f3 and with a lack of proof.

He might be for real and thats good for him and the team that will draft him, but for me, I wouldn't be willing to bet on that.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I am not the biggest Sennecke fan, trying to be smarter and go with potential for a few games versus one full year. IMO, there are more probabilities with him that it goes wrong vs Lindstrom or Iginla for example.

However, saying that these dangles, his moves that works in junior wont work in the NHL, it's not a good argument.

Take RNH, MacKinnon, Johnston, etc, (I just listed a buch of guys, dont take the name for it, but ore the argument) all the good players have made those kind of moves in junior. They need to be able to recognize that they have space, that the opponent's stick is not well placed, etc. Of course, it will not be the same in the NHL, but I prefer someone who sees that and makes them than someone who doesn't. His moves aren't luck. He sees the space and reacts to it. That is what we are looking for. Someone who recognizes that and is able to pull the move.

If they show the IQ for that kind of move, the higher the probability that he will recognize what he needs to do against men, what he needs to do, to go, etc. He reminds be a bit of Marner, but at 6f3 and with a lack of proof.

He might be for real and thats good for him and the team that will draft him, but for me, I wouldn't be willing to bet on that.

Agreed that the argument that his game won't work in the NHL is a bad argument. It might, and assumibg it won't is begging the question.

 

[Ozmodiar]

What do you guys think of this :

Dickinson-Reinbacher
Hutson-Guhle
Xhekaj-Mailloux/Engstrom/Barron

Going forward?

I mean this is d core without flaws. I'm still on the fence about playing Guhle on the right side but damn that is an elite defensive corps.

They have 2 assets - Matheson and the 5th pick.
Do they keep MM and used the pick on a
forward or do they draft a D and flip MM for a forward?

Dickinson (Matheson) - Reinbacher
Ghule - Mailloux
Hutson - Xhekaj
(Struble, Kovy)

Hutson PP1

Having said that, based on Kent’s comments regarding LD, he likes MM (unless it was a smoke screen).

 

[Trabdy2]

I have Sennecke around #10 myself. Catton and Iginla are higher on my list because I think how they can impact the game is more strongly translatable to the NHL.

 

[Mrb1p]

I have Sennecke around #10 myself. Catton and Iginla are higher on my list because I think how they can impact the game is more strongly translatable to the NHL.

Should be clear to anyone with eyes. Iggy brings pro play that Sennecke does not yet possess and his shot and goalscoring is just that much better and Catton brings the skills and talent that Sennecke will never have.

 

[DemidovSZN]

I am not the biggest Sennecke fan, trying to be smarter and go with potential for a few games versus one full year. IMO, there are more probabilities with him that it goes wrong vs Lindstrom or Iginla for example.

All 3 are risers this year.

Lindstrom and Sennecke were in Bob Mckenzie’s honourable mentions in his pre-season ranking (top 16). Iginla wasn’t mentioned.

Lindstrom played 34 games this year, not a full year. Iginla became an idea in people’s head for the top 10 near his playoffs.

Sennecke had a better year than both last year in his first OHL season.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Pasternak is one of my favourite players to watch, and last night it was like every single shift he managed to do something dangerous. I think it's not just what players do that's important, but the rate at which they do it. To a certain extent that's reflected in production, though.

 

[DemidovSZN]

The thing with Sennecke is this;

The very thing that makes him unique (consistently beating Ds one-on-one, making high-risk plays and getting away with his because of his great hands), are things that nobody is doing in the NHL, unless you're called McDavid or Kucherov.

So you pretty much bank on him being able to fool guys like Charlie McAvoy and Jacob Trouba like he SOMETIMES does in junior without getting his head ripped off. That means you bank on him doing things that 95% of players in the NHL can't do. Or else, if you take that trait away from him (his ability to slip past defenders with a deke like it's nothing), there's not a whole lot of things to like.

His size? Well, he's definitely not a guy who uses it just yet. People are pegging this on "not having grown into his body yet". But you're putting a lot of chips on a VERY abstract possibility - him ending up using his physical tools accurately. Something a lot of players never learn to do properly in the show.

His speed? He's not slow, but I wouldn't say he has the speed to be able to stand out in the big league.

His engagement? Definitely not.

So what's left?

If the kid ever turns into something substantial in the NHL, it's going to be by playing a completely different game that he plays in junior, because there's no way in hell half the stuff he does down there works in the big league. Hell, it's far from always working in the junior as well, it's just that when it does it ends up in a highlight reels package.

To me, it seems like a lot of people are trying to talk themselves out of a very safe, rather high-reward, logical pick in Iginla for some reason. There are so few reasons to make a tough exercise like this even tougher.

He will do what any other player does. His game will mature and he’ll use his tools in a more pro-set up. He won’t lose his play driving ability, his play making game, shot and creativity in many eras of his game.

This argument is used every single year about high skilled players.

 

[Mrb1p]

All 3 are risers this year.

Lindstrom and Sennecke were in Bob Mckenzie’s honourable mentions in his pre-season ranking (top 16). Iginla wasn’t mentioned.

Lindstrom played 34 games this year, not a full year. Iginla became an idea in people’s head for the top 10 near his playoffs.

Sennecke had a better year than both last year in his first OHL season.

Iginla was playing fourth line on a juggernaut team. That's the only reason he wasn't on the radar early. And nah, he started climbing in 2023, he was 16th after not being ranked. Sennecke is the late riser from mid range to "top 5" by big brainers.

 

[Mrb1p]

Pasternak is one of my favourite players to watch, and last night it was like every single shift he managed to do something dangerous. I think it's not just what players do that's important, but the rate at which they do it. To a certain extent that's reflected in production, though.

Just say you're talking about Iginla next time.

Sennecke is pretty much the opposite of that. He's Armia like. Every game you'll have a play where you go "Who's that guy? He's way too good!" And then you don't see him for the rest of the period.

So you run the risk of losing a Rick Nash like player by not selecting him, but the range is Armia-Nash. Meanwhile almost every other guy in the top 15 have elite-2ndine/pair range.

 

[DemidovSZN]

Iginla was playing fourth line on a juggernaut team. That's the only reason he wasn't on the radar early. And nah, he started climbing in 2023, he was 16th after not being ranked. Sennecke is the late riser from mid range to "top 5" by big brainers.

He was 16th in Mckenzie mid-year ranking, in january.

He’s still a riser like the other two.

 

[Runner77]

Imagine growing up and playing against your dad (Iginla) and having to deal with his competitiveness with puck battles.

When I think of Jerome Iginla, it’s also about how unassuming and down to earth he is.

He had a home in Mass when this was taken and was coaching one of his kids. He could have chosen to be in a city with a milder winter but there he was, never letting on to the reporter that he was HOF Jarome. Great example for Tij.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

When I think of Jerome Iginla, it’s also about how unassuming and down to earth he is.

He had a home in Mass when this was taken and was coaching one of his kids. He could have chosen to be in a city with a milder winter but there he was, never letting on to the reporter that he was HOF Jarome. Great example for Tij.

Tij does seem to have avoided the entitled rich kid syndrome, from the interviews I've seen at least. He comes off a bit like Harris, all around smart and focused, with an all business mindset.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Imagine growing up and playing against your dad (Iginla) and having to deal with his competitiveness with puck battles. That surely gives you obstacles to try to overcome that other kids just don't face. I bet it was the same with the Tkachuk brothers.

The focus in Tig's eyes is someone of value for me too. You know he wants to be one of the best.

Tig probably felt he was improving when playing against kids his own age and his father said, show me... try your game against me (1/1 battles).

I’ve brought this up as well, Tij is like the 3rd Tkachuk brother, he just happens to be an Iginla. Not as nasty as a Tkachuk though, but similar in the way he already plays like a pro having grown up the son of one.

 

[MSLs absurd thighs]

He will do what any other player does. His game will mature and he’ll use his tools in a more pro-set up. He won’t lose his play driving ability, his play making game, shot and creativity in many eras of his game.

This argument is used every single year about high skilled players.

The highly skilled players don't struggle to hit a point per game in the OHL playing this kind of game every single year though...

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

The highly skilled players don't struggle to hit a point per game in the OHL playing this kind of game every single year though...

The highly skilled players usually don't grow 4 inches between their d-1 and draft year. He also put up 42 points in his last 31 games (92 point pace).

 

[Lockin17]

MTL : #5
for
Seattle: #8 + #40

#8 = Catton, Iginla, Parekh
#26 = Basha, Parascak, Surin
#40 = Howe, Kiviharju, Massé
#57 = Bednarik, Boilard, Kleber

Pretty slick draft

 

[MSLs absurd thighs]

MTL : #5
for
Seattle: #8 + #40

#8 = Catton, Iginla, Parekh
#26 = Basha, Parascak, Luchanko
#40 = Howe, Kiviharju, Massé
#57 = Bednarik, Boilard, Kleber

Pretty slick draft

I would hope we get more than the 40th to drop 3 spots in such a critical draft.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I’ve brought this up as well, Tij is like the 3rd Tkachuk brother, he just happens to be an Iginla. Not as nasty as a Tkachuk though, but similar in the way he already plays like a pro having grown up the son of one.

Good context. Iggy's going to be a very good top 6F in the NHL... possibly a top line star. He's been groomed well and you can just see the multiple layers in his game when you look past the goals and points.

Suzuki or Kaprisov are two I have as comparables. Some mix of the two because I think Iggy is a play making winger with grit and a 30+ goal threat. He's not just a shooter.

 

[The Great Weal]

My issue with Helenius is that I just don't see elite attributes anywhere. He's a Johnny-All-Around with good hockey sense and Meh size. Some of those players translate, but, against the best in the world, I feel there's often a plateau. I don't tend to bet on them.

I'd say his IQ is elite, and his skating is pretty high end. I also like how he never backs out physically in a men's league. Could do a lot worse than a 60-70 point 2way center who doesn't shy away from physicality.

 

[Habs Halifax]

When I think of Jerome Iginla, it’s also about how unassuming and down to earth he is.

He had a home in Mass when this was taken and was coaching one of his kids. He could have chosen to be in a city with a milder winter but there he was, never letting on to the reporter that he was HOF Jarome. Great example for Tij.

Yup, and when I look at Tij, I see another humble kid and the focus in his eyes is noticeable. He's definitely pays attention to the details in the game and is not the cocky type where he becomes complacent.. thinking he has already made it after being drafted.

Said it before and will say it again. Tij's going to have the best D1 and D2 break out seasons after the draft. One more season in the CHL and then straight to NHL. I will be hard to hold him back.

I am not the biggest Sennecke fan, trying to be smarter and go with potential for a few games versus one full year. IMO, there are more probabilities with him that it goes wrong vs Lindstrom or Iginla for example.

However, saying that these dangles, his moves that works in junior wont work in the NHL, it's not a good argument.

Take RNH, MacKinnon, Johnston, etc, (I just listed a buch of guys, dont take the name for it, but ore the argument) all the good players have made those kind of moves in junior. They need to be able to recognize that they have space, that the opponent's stick is not well placed, etc. Of course, it will not be the same in the NHL, but I prefer someone who sees that and makes them than someone who doesn't. His moves aren't luck. He sees the space and reacts to it. That is what we are looking for. Someone who recognizes that and is able to pull the move.

If they show the IQ for that kind of move, the higher the probability that he will recognize what he needs to do against men, what he needs to do, to go, etc. He reminds be a bit of Marner, but at 6f3 and with a lack of proof.

He might be for real and thats good for him and the team that will draft him, but for me, I wouldn't be willing to bet on that.

One name I have in terms of Sennecke's ceiling is Batherson. I think he will be a good top 6F but not a top line talent.

Every once in a while someone comes along and doesn't skip a beat from CHL to AHL/NHL (like your RNH, MacKinnon, Johnston players you mentioned) but these are the exceptions bud. Naming exceptions doesn't quantify anything in terms of probability. Not sure how much you have followed it but I have seen a lot of players look very good like Sennecke in the CHL and then stall in the NHL. Does he have the it factor in terms of overcoming the obstacles? Possible yes but I see more potential with others like Demidov, Iggy, and Lindstrom.

I like Sennecke a lot... if I had a pick from 8-13 in this draft. He's in my other waive with Catton and Eiserman.

 

[bopeep]

Yup, and when I look at Tij, I see another humble kid and the focus in his eyes is noticeable. He's definitely pays attention to the details in the game and is not the cocky type where he becomes complacent.. thinking he has already made it after being drafted.

Said it before and will say it again. Tij's going to have the best D1 and D2 break out seasons after the draft. One more season in the CHL and then straight to NHL. I will be hard to hold him back.



One name I have in terms of Sennecke's ceiling is Batherson. I think he will be a good top 6F but not a top line talent.

Every once in a while someone comes along and doesn't skip a beat from CHL to AHL/NHL (like your RNH, MacKinnon, Johnston players you mentioned) but these are the exceptions bud. Naming exceptions doesn't quantify anything in terms of probability. Not sure how much you have followed it but I have seen a lot of players look very good like Sennecke in the CHL and then stall in the NHL. Does he have the it factor in terms of overcoming the obstacles? Possible yes but I see more potential with others like Demidov, Iggy, and Lindstrom.

I like Sennecke a lot... if I had a pick from 8-13 in this draft. He's in my other waive with Catton and Eiserman.

Low hanging fruit (slow news day)

 

[Team_Spirit]