HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Vachon23]

Sure, but if the analysis by the brass and organization is that they have more than enough defenseman and are comfortable with their trajectories toward their forecasted spots, then you are not really maximizing anything by drafting a defenseman.

The thing is, the organization needs won’t be the same in 3-4 years so we shouldn’t draft anyone with the thinking of we have an organization need for forwards.

Plus, Center/Dmen always have a + value on wingers, if I would take a winger top 5, it’s because that guy will be a game changer what I don’t think either Iginla/Sennecke will be

just because it is your belief doesn't mean it is commonly h

Sure that’s why I said: Personally/I prefer and not we should

 

[The Great Weal]

When I watch Heiskanen, there are a lot of things Guhle does at the same level or that he's trending in that direction.

I'm sorry but I don't see it whatsoever. Heiskanen has dominated all 3 zones for pretty much his whole career and led his team to the Finals as a 20 year old. I think he's got Guhle beat on pretty much everything.

I see Guhle more as a Hampus Lindholm type player and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Seb]

I know we need to focus on forwards, but if Yakemchuk somehow falls I hope we trade up and pick him.

Coming out of this draft with Lidstrom/Demidov/Iginla and Yakemchuk would be incredible.

 

[RationalExpectations]

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.

Tell Tampa how bad it was to have Sergachev McDonagh Hedman on 3 pairings.

 

[McGees]

I know we need to focus on forwards, but if Yakemchuk somehow falls I hope we trade up and pick him.

Coming out of this draft with Lidstrom/Demidov/Iginla and Yakemchuk would be incredible.

Some think he goes to CBJ at 4.

 

[le_sean]

Tell Tampa how bad it was to have Sergachev McDonagh Hedman on 3 pairings.

What does that have to do with what I said? You named 3 defencemen. I didn’t say “you shouldn’t have 3 good defenders”

 

[Playmaker09]

The D is a mess that needs to be untangled, but that doesn't require a top 5 pick to do.

We already have a shutdown pairing and 1st unit PK in Guhle-Reinbacher and a 1st unit PPQB in Hutson.

So what are you drafting Dickinson or Silayev to do? Play 2nd pair and 2nd unit PK for 21 minutes a night?
Why can't you just sign a Chiarot/Edmundson to do that when the time comes? Or at least try Struble/Xhekaj/Kovacevic/Barron there first?

Tell Tampa how bad it was to have Sergachev McDonagh Hedman on 3 pairings.

Sure but that's ALL they had. Rutta, Shattenkirk and Cernak were complete jabronis. It's not like the reason they had Sergachev on the 3rd pair was because they had some crazy depth, it was just a choice, like it was a choice to have Phil Kessel on the 3rd line in Pittsburgh.

Edmonton and Florida are playing Kulak and Mikkola in their top 4. They're not investing in 4+ defensive anchors either.

 

[Garnet76]

The thing is, the organization needs won’t be the same in 3-4 years so we shouldn’t draft anyone with the thinking of we have an organization need for forwards.

Plus, Center/Dmen always have a + value on wingers, if I would take a winger top 5, it’s because that guy will be a game changer what I don’t think either Iginla/Sennecke will be


Sure that’s why I said: Personally/I prefer and not we should

We have needed centers for almost 30 years. So yes its a need now and down the road. Recycling a rebuild is not a road I want to go down. Whatever dman you draft this year will be an unknown till 300 games played in the league. We don't really know what we have now so adding to the same mix doesn't make sense to me. I don't see a franchise defenceman in this draft to change the rebuold strategy.

 

[le_sean]

Sure but that's ALL they had. Rutta, Shattenkirk and Cernak were complete jabronis. It's not like the reason they had Sergachev on the 3rd pair was because they had some crazy depth, it was just a choice, like it was a choice to have Phil Kessel on the 3rd line in Pittsburgh.

Exactly. In fact it proves my point. They played the shit out of 3 guys and paired them with mediocre players.

 

[MasterMatt25]

The way things are going right now, I see 2 defensemen going in the top 4. Maybe even 3 defensemen consecutively after Celebrini

 

[Vachon23]

We have needed centers for almost 30 years. So yes its a need now and down the road. Recycling a rebuild is not a road I want to go down. Whatever dman you draft this year will be an unknown till 300 games played in the league. We don't really know what we have now so adding to the same mix doesn't make sense to me. I don't see a franchise defenceman in this draft to change the rebuold strategy.

Yes but either Iginla or Sennecke are high end center though.

 

[sampollock]

The way things are going right now, I see 2 defensemen going in the top 4. Maybe even 3 defensemen consecutively after Celebrini

after last night Sam D will go in top 4

 

[Vachon23]

after last night Sam D will go in top 4

I don’t think 1 game will change anything on his ranking

 

[sampollock]

I don’t think 1 game will change anything on his ranking

we see I guess. but he has been hyped up pretty good

 

[Vachon23]

we see I guess. but he has been hyped up pretty good

Yes because he was really good for the past 2 seasons. He’s my #1 Dmen personally

 

[The Great Weal]

Yes because he was really good for the past 2 seasons. He’s my #1 Dmen personally

I have to imagine the three teams above us love Dickinson too. Hawks probably have a hard choice given that they would have to pass up on a lot of very good dmen in this draft to take Demidov when they will likely be a bottom 5 team next year where there seems to be more forwards at the top of the draft.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

1-Celebrini
2-Dickinson
3-Levshunov
4-Demidov
5- i have no idea

 

[RationalExpectations]

What does that have to do with what I said? You named 3 defencemen. I didn’t say “you shouldn’t have 3 good defenders”

You said defensive depth is not useful. I don t see any reason to believe it under the premise that Walker did not manage to pull COL past DAL as you stated. That is all

 

[RationalExpectations]

1-Celebrini
2-Dickinson
3-Levshunov
4-Demidov
5- i have no idea

I don t see a world where Buium should be passed to take Levshunov… Everybody wants Quinn Hughes but many don t seem to value that much a guy who is better than Hughes at the same age (and taller). I would not be surprised at all if he ends up top 5. Sure he is a LHD but ANA just lost Drysdale so I could see a fit there, especially if Levshunov is gone. CHI s D pool is quite limited too. CBJ let s see since the GM was rather picking forwards when he was in CAR.

 

[vokiel]

1-Celebrini
2-Dickinson
3-Levshunov
4-Demidov
5- i have no idea

Pretty much what I have, though #5 is obiouvly Iggy for me, and that is regardless of who CLB picks, unless it's Iginla.

 

[le_sean]

You said defensive depth is not useful. I don t see any reason to believe it under the premise that Walker did not manage to pull COL past DAL as you stated. That is all

No I didn’t but maybe you misunderstood

 

[Habs Icing]

This is where you are misinterpreting. I never said “they are franchise players”. I said that they all have franchise player POTENTIAL,

As you mentioned in your original post, you're talking about ceilings, well then an argument can be made that 4 or 5 of the forwards can also be considered as having franchise player potential. With the way the Habs are presently constructed, I would pick a forward. I'd go even further. I would trade up the Winnipeg pick and select two forwards in the top half of the draft.

I think it’s pretty consensus that Buium, Dickinson, Silayev, and Levshunov have franchise level ceilings. Yakemchuk and Parekh do too, but are seen as less likely to reach it.

 

[le_sean]

Damn 4 defencemen with franchise potential plus a franchise centre at #1. I guess this is the greatest draft in modern NHL history

 

[Runner77]

Damn 4 defencemen with franchise potential plus a franchise centre at #1. I guess this is the greatest draft in modern NHL history

Wait a few more days and the number of franchise tags will double.

 

[RationalExpectations]

No I didn’t but maybe you misunderstood

You said “Oh wow what defensive depth.” It didn’t make them better. Players get out of rhythm, they are not as effective with lower minutes.„

I think it is premature to see the Habs as a top defensive team. I like Guhle but he has never even played a fully healthy season yet. Struble Harris Xhekaj are likely rather bottom pair Dmen on a good team. Engstrom has top 4 potential but no idea if he ll realize it. Barron is a question mark, I don t think he is as bad as many think but nothing makes me think he is a sure top 4. Mailloux Hutson have played one game in the NHL, Reinbacher not even one. Pick BPA, if Buium is the next Hughes, you don t pass on him because you have a bunch of potential Savard / Zadorov on your team (and I really like those two players as 5Ds)