HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Habs Halifax]

So they have Hage #12... It's their surprise I guess.

He would be 15+ on my list. Eiserman and Buium rated slightly higher on my list. But yeah, their list is close to mine.

 

[salbutera]

Two Cup finalists

The Oilers literally only have two good defencemen

The Panthers best defenceman was a waiver wire pickup

We have enough good defenders. It’s time to draft offence.

Panthers also built most of their offense via trade (Tkachuk, Reinhard, Bennett) or UFA (Varhaege)

Barkov, Ekblad & Lundell are the only real homegrown contributors

 

[Andrei79]

Two Cup finalists

The Oilers literally only have two good defencemen

The Panthers best defenceman was a waiver wire pickup

We have enough good defenders. It’s time to draft offence.

I don't think theres anyone at McDavid/Draisaitl/Barkov or Tkachuks level, unless we luck out and Demidov is available.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I don't think theres anyone at McDavid/Draisaitl/Barkov or Tkachuks level, unless we luck out and Demidov is available.

Demidov is more like a P Kane type talent if he reaches his ceiling. A puck possession winger who is hard to catch and has a good shot. Demidov's one timer is no where close to what Kucherov provides as a smaller Russian type.

I think if Iggy reaches his ceiling, he can be something around a Kaprisov type.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

I'd want to see Demidov do his thing against much better competition than the MHL before I call him a Kane or a McDavid. This is hella premature IMO.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'd want to see Demidov do his thing against much better competition than the MHL before I call him a Kane or a McDavid. This is hella premature IMO.

It's projections if he reaches his ceiling. It's not sure shot I think he will be this type for sure. I agree with you, there are question marks to Demidov. We don't have much sample size of him playing against tight checking and physical players.

Personally, I think he turns into a perimeter player but someone who helps the PP.

I'm probably taking Iggy over Demidov if they are both there at 5. Close though

 

[le_sean]

I don't think theres anyone at McDavid/Draisaitl/Barkov or Tkachuks level, unless we luck out and Demidov is available.

But again, it’s the issue of diminishing returns. Look at the Avalanche. They got Sean Walker, the best defenceman on the market, just to play him on the 3rd pairing. “Oh wow what defensive depth.” It didn’t make them better. Players get out of rhythm, they are not as effective with lower minutes.

So it’s fine and dandy to want someone like Dickinson, thinking the Habs will have the best defence in the league, but playing Guhle 18 mins a game doesn’t make the Habs better. It’s not as simple as saying “this guy gets 100 points a year with 20 mins per game. He’ll get 50 points playing 10 mins per game”. It doesn’t work like that.

We literally have too many defencemen on the current team. That isn’t even counting Hutson, Reinbacher, Mailloux, Engstrom knocking at the door. It’s just asinine to even consider a defenceman. The offence is dogshit. We have one good line and the only reason it’s productive is because they play like 22 mins a game.

 

[crosbyshow]

It's projections if he reaches his ceiling. It's not sure shot I think he will be this type for sure. I agree with you, there are question marks to Demidov. We don't have much sample size of him playing against tight checking and physical players.

Personally, I think he turns into a perimeter player but someone who helps the PP.

I'm probably taking Iggy over Demidov if they are both there at 5. Close though

Iginla is not close to Demidov in my view

In fact even Catton is better than Igy even if I love Iginla.

We need pure talent and the best talent are Celebrini Demidov and then Catton.

 

[Sorinth]

My thing with Iginla is he’s so young and progressing so fast we don’t know what his game is necessarily, like if he were born just a month and a half later he’d be in next years draft and who knows how high he’d go there.

It’s going to be interesting to watch his development next year and where he slots in positionally.

My thing is hockey minds are too simple sometimes and need to get more modernized like the NFL for instance

Logically it makes sense that the younger players would have more runway to develop, but I'm not sure it actually plays out that way in real life. If it was true when you look through past drafts and say sort by production you'd expect to see younger players from that draft to be over-represented at the top and at a cursory glance that's not the case.

 

[lilmaxo]

i like buium, but we already have Hutson.

 

[PavelBrendl]

Iginla is not close to Demidov in my view

In fact even Catton is better than Igy even if I love Iginla.

We need pure talent and the best talent are Celebrini Demidov and then Catton.

Catton is being severely underrated cuz he’s an inch too short. Something like 45% of all Spokane’s goals came within 2 touches of Catton’s stick and that’s an absurd statistic. He is electric and he makes things happen.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Iginla is not close to Demidov in my view

In fact even Catton is better than Igy even if I love Iginla.

We need pure talent and the best talent are Celebrini Demidov and then Catton.

Subjective conversation. Iggy is ranked higher than Catton on some lists but not all and Demidov is the "popular" guy people have at 2. From 2-10, I can see some shockers because fans have their lists tied to the popular lists on the internet. Trust Bob M.... he said it's all over the map from 2-10+ in this draft and he has not seen this in 35 years.

Iggy is pure talent. He has the skill Catton has and is younger and more physically stronger. I feel some fans are overlooking Iggy because of his father but his resume is impressive.

I'm not buying the CHL production to rank guys. I like Catton but he is in my 2nd waive after Demidov, Iggy, Lindstrom. I think someone like Catton hits a wall when they face faster more physically stronger players.

 

[PavelBrendl]

Subjective conversation. Iggy is ranked higher than Catton on some lists but not all and Demidov is the "popular" guy people have at 2. From 2-10, I can see some shockers because fans have their lists tied to the popular lists on the internet. Trust Bob M.... he said it's all over the map from 2-10+ in this draft and he has not seen this in 35 years.

Iggy is pure talent. He has the skill Catton has and is younger and more physically stronger. I feel some fans are overlooking Iggy because of his father but his resume is impressive.

I'm not buying the CHL production to rank guys. I like Catton but he is in my 2nd waive after Demidov, Iggy, Lindstrom. I think someone like Catton hits a wall when they face faster more physically stronger players.

I’m afraid you’ve got it backwards. Nobody is overlooking Iginla. And if Iginla, with his tools, had all the skill Catton has, would be making the conversation for #1 much more interesting.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I agree, my top 3 has not changed for the past months. Celibrini Buium Dickinson. I think if Buium Dickinson drop to the Habs you need to take them.

I have Dickinson high as well. I flip flop between him and Silayev at 3rd. I’d probably lean towards Dickinson at this point because he seems safer. The recent mem cup didn’t change much for me because I already thought he’s a stud, although he was impressive there. But man, if Silayev reaches that ceiling. Then I have Levshunov at 5th.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I’m afraid you’ve got it backwards. Nobody is overlooking Iginla. And if Iginla, with his tools, had all the skill Catton has, would be making the conversation for #1 much more interesting.

Nope. I have my opinion and my own draft board. Saying nobody is overlooking Iginla is a reach. You can only speak for yourself. He's more of a 5-7 range BPA IMO than a 7-10 range BPA. Catton is in the 7-10 range.

Catton is not in the top 5 for any credible list you can find. Iggy is though. Iginla is very young in this draft and is one of the hottest trending. Catton turned 18 this past Jan and Iggy doesn't turn 18 until Aug. That's a 8 or 9 month difference and I feel Iggy will have the best D+1 and D+2 rise more than most you see in this draft. I bet you Iggy shows his point totals next season like Catton did this past season. Remember, Iggy is 1.5 months away from being in the 2025 draft. You are catching him at the right time IMO.

 

[Garbageyuk]

If that consensus exists, why aren't those d-men slotted to go 2 - 7?

First, they are for a lot of scouts. Second, because there’s varying degrees of risk involved and everyone has a level they are or aren’t comfortable with. Nobody is saying any prospect is a sure thing one way or the other. These are still bets/gambles at the end of the day.

 

[Habs Halifax]

First, they are for a lot of scouts. Second, because there’s varying degrees of risk involved and everyone has a level they are or aren’t comfortable with. Nobody is saying any prospect is a sure thing one way or the other. These are still bets/gambles at the end of the day.

I see 2-10 all over the map and I agree with Bob M. There are going to be some surprises because each teams board will vary more than normal.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

But again, it’s the issue of diminishing returns. Look at the Avalanche. They got Sean Walker, the best defenceman on the market, just to play him on the 3rd pairing. “Oh wow what defensive depth.” It didn’t make them better. Players get out of rhythm, they are not as effective with lower minutes.

So it’s fine and dandy to want someone like Dickinson, thinking the Habs will have the best defence in the league, but playing Guhle 18 mins a game doesn’t make the Habs better. It’s not as simple as saying “this guy gets 100 points a year with 20 mins per game. He’ll get 50 points playing 10 mins per game”. It doesn’t work like that.

We literally have too many defencemen on the current team. That isn’t even counting Hutson, Reinbacher, Mailloux, Engstrom knocking at the door. It’s just asinine to even consider a defenceman. The offence is dogshit. We have one good line and the only reason it’s productive is because they play like 22 mins a game.

I disagree with pretty much everything you wrote here. Sean Walker is irrelevant. A #1D is probably the most important element to a winning team (#1 C would also be up there). If the Habs can draft a #1 D or #1C, they should do that.

Yeah the Habs have lots of D prospects. But the only one who has proven anything is Guhle, and to me he looks like a top-4 dman. I like all their dmen, but I just don't know what they have there. If Hutson is Cale Makar, and Engstrom is Nicklas Lidstrom, and Reinbacher is Alex Pietrangelo, then yeah they are set at D. The Habs internally will know best what they think they have with each player. But if they have a bunch of Sean Walkers, then keep drafting dmen and find a #1.

 

[PavelBrendl]

Nope. I have my opinion and my own draft board. Saying nobody is overlooking Iginla is a reach. You can only speak for yourself.

Catton is not in the top 5 for any credible list you can find. Iggy is though. Iginla is very young in this draft and is one of the hottest trending. Catton turned 18 this past Jan and Iggy doesn't turn 18 until Aug. That's a 8 or 9 month difference and I feel Iggy will have the best D+1 and D+2 rise more than most you see in this draft. I bet you Iggy shows his point totals next season like Catton did this past season. Remember, Iggy is 1.5 months away from being in the 2025 draft. You are catching him at the right time IMO.

Sure. You can speak for yourself and I can speak for myself. Don’t see the point in bringing up “credible lists” if that’s the case. Love for you that McKeens recently put Iginla at 5, but otherwise Button is the only one that puts any appreciable space between the two. Many have Catton higher.

And it’s nice that points don’t matter in respect to what Catton has done, but they will if Iginla can manage the same production next season.

And to your point about Iginla being overlooked - 50% of this board takes him at the Habs’ pick. You’re making really weird arguments.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Sure. You can speak for yourself and I can speak for myself. Don’t see the point in bringing up “credible lists” if that’s the case. Love for you that McKeens recently put Iginla at 5, but otherwise Button is the only one that puts any appreciable space between the two. Many have Catton higher.

And it’s nice that points don’t matter in respect to what Catton has done, but they will if Iginla can manage the same production next season.

And to your point about Iginla being overlooked - 50% of this board takes him at the Habs’ pick. You’re making really weird arguments.

Back to the main point I made. It's close for me with Demidov and Iggy and I think I would take Iggy. Lindstrom is right behind them with me. Then it's Catton in the waive after. I don't dislike either of Lindstrom or Catton but they are in the waives after Demidov and Iggy. I value Iggy because his resume is very solid and he is one of the youngest trending hot. I like his size/weight and his shot. When I try to nit pick any flaws, I find it difficult. When I watch Catton's highlight reels, I see a lot of open space shine with not much physical contact. That usually does not translate well at the NHL level. I see a S Jarvis type with Catton (as his ceiling). I see a P Kane type with Demidov if he reaches his ceiling. I see a Kaprisov type with Iggy if he reaches his ceiling.

Credible list does play a factor for me but not the sole factor. It's one angle of many to factor in.

I'd like to see a new vote because I think many votes were made a while ago and some posters would change their vote today

 

[Trabdy2]

I still really like Catton. He seems to have an uncanny ability to continue his team's offensive pressure any time he touches the puck. He seems to know what he's doing with the puck before he gets it, and defencemen can't read it well. He just constantly gets the puck into areas where things can happen offensively. His vision is outstanding, and he's got all the skills to execute on it.

 

[crosbyshow]

Subjective conversation. Iggy is ranked higher than Catton on some lists but not all and Demidov is the "popular" guy people have at 2. From 2-10, I can see some shockers because fans have their lists tied to the popular lists on the internet. Trust Bob M.... he said it's all over the map from 2-10+ in this draft and he has not seen this in 35 years.

Iggy is pure talent. He has the skill Catton has and is younger and more physically stronger. I feel some fans are overlooking Iggy because of his father but his resume is impressive.

I'm not buying the CHL production to rank guys. I like Catton but he is in my 2nd waive after Demidov, Iggy, Lindstrom. I think someone like Catton hits a wall when they face faster more physically stronger players.

Catton will not hit a wall cause he will be smarter than 95% players in the Nhl.

His Iq is off chart. His puck possession play has so much variations.

He is able to change the tempo and the speed of his game as well and the defencemen will always be on edge.

His sauce passes from both sides to empty spaces to find his teamates will make him lethal. Lindstrom and Iginla have not that and for a player it is the most important quality to have.

He is a wizard outt there with the puck ..a kind of mix of Ribeiro, Kucherov when strength doest not matter cause their brain is so good.

Anticipation, vision , variations....it s Catton !!

 

[Habs Halifax]

Catton will not hit a wall cause he will be smarter than 95% players in the Nhl.

His Iq is off chart. His puck possession play has so much variations.

He is able to change the tempo and the speed of his game as well and the defencemen will always be on edge.

His sauce passes from both sides to empty spaces to find his teamates will make him lethal. Lindstrom and Iginla have not that and for a player it is the most important quality to have.

He is a wizard outt there with the puck ..a kind of mix of Ribeiro, Kucherov when strength doest not matter cause their brain is so good.

Anticipation, vision , variations....it s Catton !!

We are not on the same page. These are my ceiling hits if all players reach their potential. All will be top 6F assets but I have both Demidov and Iggy with top line potential. Catton is top 6F for me.

Demidov: P Kane type
Iggy: Kaprisov or F Forsberg type (No, he won't be like his father... this is true).
Catton: Seth Jarvis type

Saying Catton is 95% smarter than the entire NHL is a reach.

 

[crosbyshow]

We are not on the same page. These are my ceiling hits if all players reach their potential. All will be top 6F assets but I have both Demidov and Iggy with top line potential. Catton is top 6F for me.

Demidov: P Kane type
Iggy: Kaprisov or F Forsberg type (No, he won't be like his father... this is true).
Catton: Seth Jarvis type

Saying Catton is 95% smarter than the entire NHL is a reach.

You know what i even going further.....Catton is already smarter WITH the puck than any player on the Habs roster....and I included Suzuki ..and Slaf.

I am not saying that he is better but his Iq with the puck is off chart.

In fact Catton is better than Jarvis and Suzuki at the same age.

 

[Habs Halifax]

You know what i even going further.....Catton is already smarter WITH the puck than any player on the Habs roster....and I included Suzuki ..and Slaf.

I am not saying that he is better but his Iq with the puck is off chart.

In fact Catton is better than Jarvis and Suzuki at the same age.

I'm aware of Catton's game. It's not like I don't like him, I just see top 6F vs top line potential. He's in my 7-10 waive.

He's not smarter than Suzuki with the puck. Sorry bud. I see a lot of open space flash when I watch Catton's highlight reels. I can see why you think the way you do but I have seen this far too often before to get gullible on that. Of course he could make me eat crow... it happens but these are few and far in-between.

With Demidov, I also see a lot of open space flash in his highlight reels. I just feel his skating is too good and he's going to do well as a puck possession winger. Catton does not have Demidov's skating.

With Iggy, I once again see a lot of open space flash in his highlight reels but I also see his game along the boards and in traffic. Combine his weight at a young age, his shot already NHL quality, and his ability to play in the physical areas, I am high on him. I have tried to nit pick his flaws and it's difficult to find.