HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Runner77]

Like Iginla, Lindstrom sees himself more as a centre in the NHL, than a winger:

Malgré cela, Lindstrom, qui se voit davantage comme un centre qu’un ailier dans la LNH, est d’avis que l’aspect finesse de son jeu n’est pas suffisamment reconnu.

Lindstrom believes that the finesse side of his play, is not widely acknowledged.

He has a high compete level and what is also bound to draw attention is the type of aggressiveness and meanness he displays.

Repêchage 2024: Lindstrom sur la voie de la guérison | LNH.com

L’attaquant de puissance ne participera pas à tous les tests physiques de la Séance d'évaluation des espoirs, lui qui se remet d’une blessure au dos

www.nhl.com

 

[Gustave]

Simon St-Laurent did a great video on Buium :

I genuinely don t understand how Buium is not generating more interest : great puck mover, skater, good defensively, he is basically a taller version of Q Hughes and he has scored much more than him in their respective draft years… I d take him without any hesitation at 5 and I don t see why CHI or ANA or CBJ would not be interested either

I think both Dickinson and Buium are the top 2 D’s in this draft. They are not getting passed the 7th overall if I try to play Nostradamus a bit.

Lev gets picked maybe the 2nd overall because of the RD premium and Silayev will get picked somewhere in there because of his size. It’s a hell of a year to be in the hunt for a Dman.

 

[le_sean]

I disagree. KK had good Liiga stats (better than Slaf actually), he was also very good in Liiga, created space for his linemates, was showing great promise as a playmaker. This rhetoric needs to stop. He was top 20 already at the beginning of his D year and top 10 at time of the lottery, actually quite similar to the Sennecke story.

It does not mean Sennecke will fail to be a top line winger, but we need to stop with the KK revisionism…

Yeah he had a better season as a whole but didn’t improve as it went on is my point. Not to the level of Sennecke. He didn’t even play centre in Liiga yet was drafted as one in the NHL, a big reason for the jump in the standings.

Slafkovsky is another that improved as the season went on. In fact, coaches dropped KK’s TOI in the playoffs from the regular season while Slaf was given more ice time.

Both KK and Slaf improved their draft stocks throughout the year, but to deny that it was international tournaments that got the hype machine into overdrive is being dishonest.

 

[Deebs]

Like Iginla, Lindstrom sees himself more as a centre in the NHL, than a winger:

Malgré cela, Lindstrom, qui se voit davantage comme un centre qu’un ailier dans la LNH, est d’avis que l’aspect finesse de son jeu n’est pas suffisamment reconnu.

Lindstrom believes that the finesse side of his play, is not widely acknowledged.

He has a high compete level and what is also bound to draw attention is the type of aggressiveness and meanness he displays.

Repêchage 2024: Lindstrom sur la voie de la guérison | LNH.com

L’attaquant de puissance ne participera pas à tous les tests physiques de la Séance d'évaluation des espoirs, lui qui se remet d’une blessure au dos

www.nhl.com

Unlike Iginla, LIndstrom has actually played Center

Would love to add him to the club. After watching him a few times this past season, he's just a presence on the ice. Big body and uses it well, great shot, excellent skating....kid has all the tools to take his game to the NHL and deliver.

 

[le_sean]

Also regarding Dickinson - be careful with players in the CHL that are already built like men. He looks like he’s filled out early which is a big reason why he looks good, he’s just physically ahead of everyone else.

He actually seems like a great candidate to consider an AHL player exemption - allowing AHL teams to have one U20 CHL player on their team. I’m not sure what else he can really do in the OHL and you don’t necessarily want to rush him into the NHL.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Also regarding Dickinson - be careful with players in the CHL that are already built like men. He looks like he’s filled out early which is a big reason why he looks good, he’s just physically ahead of everyone else.

He actually seems like a great candidate to consider an AHL player exemption - allowing AHL teams to have one U20 CHL player on their team. I’m not sure what else he can really do in the OHL and you don’t necessarily want to rush him into the NHL.

Yeah, he could probably play pro hockey as soon as next season and not look overmatched. He's definitely the type of prospect who could have gone to the AHL for his D+1 season a la Seider or Kulich, had he been drafted out of Europe. He was already a regular in London as a 16 year old, so he's got 2 legitimate full seasons in at the junior level already. His time is going to be sorta wasted in London next year, although getting more reps in is never a bad thing, obviously.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Unlike Iginla, LIndstrom has actually played Center

Would love to add him to the club. After watching him a few times this past season, he's just a presence on the ice. Big body and uses it well, great shot, excellent skating....kid has all the tools to take his game to the NHL and deliver.

Iggy has played center bud. But he was moved to wing and that's when he took off.

Was Lindstrom playing center with the next prodigy on his wing? McKenna? When I watch video on Lindstrom, I see a power forward more than a center. His highlight reel lacks the vision/play making areas IMO. Lindstrom can speak to this all he wants but it's lacking. And I'm talking about how that translates to the NHL where there are also lots of big boys that skate well and time/space is reduced a hell of a lot more than the CHL.

Iggy to me is a play making winger who can score. Lindstrom to me is a power forward winger who can score.

 

[26Mats]

Iggy has played center bud. But he was moved to wing and that's when he took off.

Was Lindstrom playing center with the next prodigy on his wing? McKenna? When I watch video on Lindstrom, I see a power forward more than a center. His highlight reel lacks the vision/play making areas IMO. Lindstrom can speak to this all he wants but it's lacking. And I'm talking about how that translates to the NHL where there are also lots of big boys that skate well and time/space is reduced a hell of a lot more than the CHL.

Iggy to me is a play making winger who can score. Lindstrom to me is a power forward winger who can score.

Iggy to me is a play making winger who can score. Lindstrom to me is a power forward winger who can score.

That may be their styles, but what I'm most interested in is who is really good at what style they play. I've heard some question Lindstrom's hands. I don't remember who and I don't know if there's any merit to the perspective.

 

[le_sean]

Iggy has played center bud. But he was moved to wing and that's when he took off.

Was Lindstrom playing center with the next prodigy on his wing? McKenna? When I watch video on Lindstrom, I see a power forward more than a center. His highlight reel lacks the vision/play making areas IMO. Lindstrom can speak to this all he wants but it's lacking. And I'm talking about how that translates to the NHL where there are also lots of big boys that skate well and time/space is reduced a hell of a lot more than the CHL.

Iggy to me is a play making winger who can score. Lindstrom to me is a power forward winger who can score.

He’s not a centre. Watching him, he’s obviously not that type of player. You can say he was tried there, but they never kept him there in the CHL, so there’s no reason to think he’ll be that in the NHL. In his 115 WHL games, he only had 22 where he took 5+ faceoff attempts, which is quite a low barometer. And the majority were in the 2022-23 regular season when he was with Seattle and on the 3rd line. Kelowna never used him there other than when Szturc was out. The Rockets literally have one good centre on the roster yet still didn’t play Iginla there. He’s a winger.

Lindstrom literally lines up at centre every game and has done so throughout his entire WHL career minus his 6 game stint in 2021-22.

 

[Habs Halifax]

That may be their styles, but what I'm most interested in is who is really good at what style they play. I've heard some question Lindstrom's hands. I don't remember who and I don't know if there's any merit to the perspective.

I am one who has question marks on Lindstrom's hockey IQ and play making/vision/hands. I like the player and he is close in my BPA waive after Celebrini but when I play the nit pick game, I can see noticeable areas that need improvement.

He’s not a centre. Watching him, he’s obviously not that type of player. You can say he was tried there, but they never kept him there in the CHL, so there’s no reason to think he’ll be that in the NHL. In his 115 WHL games, he only had 22 where he took 5+ faceoff attempts, which is quite a low barometer. And the majority were in the 2022-23 regular season when he was with Seattle and on the 3rd line. Kelowna never used him there other than when Szturc was out. The Rockets literally have one good centre on the roster yet still didn’t play Iginla there. He’s a winger.

Lindstrom literally lines up at centre every game and has done so throughout his entire WHL career minus his 6 game stint in 2021-22.

Iggy was a center but he's moved to wing and it's the right spot for him. A play making winger with a great shot. Great all around game and size/weight.

Lindstrom has been a center yes and is a center in the CHL. Does that translate at the NHL level? Not sure about that bud. Look up Byfield. He hasn't played much center yet and was on Kopitar's line. I think Lindstrom may follow the same type of path and you hope he matures into a center. T Thompson is another good example.

 

[le_sean]

I am one who has question marks on Lindstrom's hockey IQ and play making/vision/hands. I like the player and he is close in my BPA waive after Celebrini but when I play the nit pick game, I can see noticeable areas that need improvement.



Iggy was a center but he's moved to wing and it's the right spot for him. A play making winger with a great shot. Great all around game and size/weight.

Lindstrom has been a center yes and is a center in the CHL. Does that translate at the NHL level? Not sure about that bud. Look up Byfield. He hasn't played much center yet and was on Kopitar's line. I think Lindstrom may follow the same type of path and you hope he matures into a center. T Thompson is another good example.

First of all, Iginla isn’t a playmaking winger. I don’t understand how that’s your description of him.

Byfield isn’t an example of a prospect failing at being a centre, it’s an example of a team failing at development. Of course he’s been shifted to wing when the Kings have Kopitar, Danault and acquired PLD. That’s just hubris on their part thinking they had a contending team. It doesn’t mean Lindstrom should follow the same path.

 

[Picaroon]

I think the reason for that would be that if Anaheim switches with Montreal, and Montreal takes the forward CBJ wants, then CBJ could take the defenseman that Anaheim is targeting.

CBJ isn't going forward for sure, I would argue the defenseman at the top of the class are a bigger need for them.



I can't think of a single person who wanted McCarron in the 1st round.

Ya that's definitely one scenario. But I think a lot of teams have tiers of players rather than linear rankings. If ANA has 2-3 d-men in a tier, they may see the value in getting additional assets while staying in the same tier of d-men. Adding a guy like Struble (Verbeek type player) and a mid pick may worth more than the difference between Dickinson and Buium for example. Meanwhile Montreal would move up a clear forward tier.

 

[Doublechin]

I think both Dickinson and Buium are the top 2 D’s in this draft. They are not getting passed the 7th overall if I try to play Nostradamus a bit.

Lev gets picked maybe the 2nd overall because of the RD premium and Silayev will get picked somewhere in there because of his size. It’s a hell of a year to be in the hunt for a Dman.

I agree with Dickinson and Buium as being the top 2, I can't lie and pretend that I've seen much of Silyaev however

But the closer we getting to the draft the more I seem to see Levshunov topping off as a Trouba type of Dman or even a Nurse type

Buium I think has the highest potential to be a high scoring Dman with high end ability while Dickinson I see as being the most complete and hardest worker of the bunch

 

[Hacketts]

First of all, Iginla isn’t a playmaking winger. I don’t understand how that’s your description of him.

Byfield isn’t an example of a prospect failing at being a centre, it’s an example of a team failing at development. Of course he’s been shifted to wing when the Kings have Kopitar, Danault and acquired PLD. That’s just hubris on their part thinking they had a contending team. It doesn’t mean Lindstrom should follow the same path.

and he ain't in the same universe as Kaprizov either. @Habs Halifax

 

[Habs Halifax]

First of all, Iginla isn’t a playmaking winger. I don’t understand how that’s your description of him.

Byfield isn’t an example of a prospect failing at being a centre, it’s an example of a team failing at development. Of course he’s been shifted to wing when the Kings have Kopitar, Danault and acquired PLD. That’s just hubris on their part thinking they had a contending team. It doesn’t mean Lindstrom should follow the same path.

Iggy is a play making winger but more of a shoot 1st type. When you watch his highlight reels, you see a lot of shot power and edge work but there are a decent amount of clips that shows his vision. More with him than I can find with the other forwards ranked closed to him who are also shooter types.

I don't agree Byfield is a failing example at development. Not many guys who play center in the CHL can be full time centers in the NHL. The evidence is all over the place.

 

[Mrb1p]

He's definitely super raw. Almost a blank slate too, you can tell he hasn't been coached a whole lot in his young career, he tends to improvise a ton. A true project as far as development goes, a lot like Slaf was.

Which is also why I'm not sure he should be the pick. I see no scenario in which he starts having impact on the roster before ~3 years. Guys like Iggy, Lindstrom, Catton and Demidov are going to be pretty much plug and play 12 months from now.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Ya that's definitely one scenario. But I think a lot of teams have tiers of players rather than linear rankings. If ANA has 2-3 d-men in a tier, they may see the value in getting additional assets while staying in the same tier of d-men. Adding a guy like Struble (Verbeek type player) and a mid pick may worth more than the difference between Dickinson and Buium for example. Meanwhile Montreal would move up a clear forward tier.

Buium doesn't make sense with Mintyukov and Zellweger. That's the thing, Dickinson Levshunov Silayev are what they need.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I would love for Hughes to trade up to number 2 only to draft Helenius.

It would be like a dream scenario.

The absolute chaos on these boards would be incredible.

On behalf of all the mods on this site:

Damn you. Damn you to hell.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I think I've been too low on Vanacker. I'm guessing I just got unlucky on my live viewings but he really seems to play a very translatable game, and has a fair amount of tools. Wouldn't hate him with 26 honestly.

 

[crosbyshow]

I read all comments and a lot of experts as well and some of the things that is clear.

It is easy to evaluate size and speed. A little girl could to it.

However..analyzing Iq and vision is a total different ball game. It is the mkst important quality in hockey and so much people does not look at it at all.


2 example:

Mike Ribeiro
Josh Anderson.

In 1998 maybe 80% of the fans said that he would never make it;

He was slow like a turtle.....skinny as hell at 6.0 170 pounds...no character..partying etc.

Ribeiro had an off chaŕt IQ and vision and magical hand...thats it....

Not a baď career for someone who continueď to party all the time.


Josh Anderson had everything....Size, speed strenght, shot..everything..but no IQ.

He made it but one the defensemen figured him out..he struggled..a lot.

Now again ...CATTON. think about that.:

..Iq off chart.., .amazing vision, magical hands, great shot......and the will to learn and improving his game every day in his training method etc...

As I wrote a .month ago....last Summer he wanted to work on his shot but instead to just shooting the puck many hours a day...he decided to spent a week at a goalie camp to ask questions to goalies and goalies coaches about which areas in the net they were struggling to stop the puck

It worked well....23 goals at 16 to 54 at 17 years old and his shot was so much better this season.

The kid is a student of the game..and listen to him and it is so easy to figure that he will always improving his qualities and his weaknesses..

 

[WeThreeKings]

I think I've been too low on Vanacker. I'm guessing I just got unlucky on my live viewings but he really seems to play a very translatable game, and has a fair amount of tools. Wouldn't hate him with 26 honestly.

Jacob Battaglia is the man you want.

 

[crosbyshow]

I read all comments and a lot of experts as well and some of the things that is clear.

It is easy to evaluate size and speed. A little girl could to it.

However..analyzing Iq and vision is a total different ball game. It is the mkst important quality in hockey and so much people does not look at it at all.


2 example:

Mike Ribeiro
Josh Anderson.

RIBEIRO IN: 1998 maybe 80% of the fans said that he would never make it;

He was slow like a turtle.....skinny as hell at 6.0 170 pounds...no character..partying etc.

Ribeiro had an off chaŕt IQ and vision and magical hand...thats it....

Not a baď career for someone who continueď to party all the time.


Josh Anderson had everything....Size, speed strenght, shot..everything..but no IQ.

He made it but oncee the defensemen figured him out..he struggled..a lot.

Now again ...CATTON. think about that.:

..Iq off chart.., .amazing vision, magical hands, great shot......and the will to learn and improving his game every day in his training method etc...

As I wrote a .month ago....last Summer he wanted to work on his shot but instead to just shooting the puck many hours a day...he decided to spent a week at a goalies camp ..and he asked questions to them and coaches about which areas they have problems to stop the pucks.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Jacob Battaglia is the man you want.

Yeah he's a mid 2nd guy for me, wouldn't be surprised to see him have a Rehkopf-esque breakout next season. Moving Vanacker up to late 1st for me though.

 

[BergevinBurner]

I read all comments and a lot of experts as well and some of the things that is clear.

It is easy to evaluate size and speed. A little girl could to it.

However..analyzing Iq and vision is a total different ball game. It is the mkst important quality in hockey and so much people does not look at it at all.


2 example:

Mike Ribeiro
Josh Anderson.

In 1998 maybe 80% of the fans said that he would never make it;

He was slow like a turtle.....skinny as hell at 6.0 170 pounds...no character..partying etc.

Ribeiro had an off chaŕt IQ and vision and magical hand...thats it....

Not a baď career for someone who continueď to party all the time.


Josh Anderson had everything....Size, speed strenght, shot..everything..but no IQ.

He made it but oncee the defensemen figured him out..he struggled..a lot.

Now again ...CATTON. think about that.:

..Iq off chart.., .amazing vision, magical hands, great shot......and the will to learn and improving his game every day in his training method etc...

As I wrote a .month ago....last Summer he wanted to work on his shot but instead to just shooting the puck many hours a day...he decided to spent a week at a goalies camp ..and he asked questions to them and coaches about which areas they have problems to stop the pucks.

Out of all the forwards in the mix at 5, Catton is probably the one I have the fewest concerns/questions about. I'd be pretty happy with him as our pick, but I don't see our management or Bobrov being overly interested in him.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Yeah he's a mid 2nd guy for me, wouldn't be surprised to see him have a Rehkopf-esque breakout next season. Moving Vanacker up to late 1st for me though.

I actually soured on Vanacker in my final views.