HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Balthazar]

Cosentino's latest mock, post combine.

Mock Draft 1.0: Predicting where they go, after the Sharks take Celebrini

Unlike years past, where I would produce a post-lottery mock draft of the first 16 teams and a complete mock draft right before the event, I’ve worked with our team at Sportsnet to create a post Combine mock draft.

www.sportsnet.ca

Absolute worst case scenario

 

[Seb]

Just for fun, and I’m sure I’m opening up a can of worms here…who are you taking?

David Reinbacher and Ivan Demidov

VS

Zeev Buium and Matvei Michkov

#1

 

[NotProkofievian]

The risk being Russian or having inflated numbers in the MHL?

The risk is that you just don't know how he'll translate to a better level of play. That's not his fault, but it's still an unknown. Not a great skater either.

On the other hand he has the best hands in the draft, and is unbelievably creative. He's gotta be on the list for us at 5.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Just for fun, and I’m sure I’m opening up a can of worms here…who are you taking?

David Reinbacher and Ivan Demidov

VS

Zeev Buium and Matvei Michkov

#2 for me

Michkov
Demidov

Buium

Reinbacher

 

[WeThreeKings]

It is super strange to me too then. Maybe it's the knee injury?

Seems to just be the Russian factor again, SKA can basically f*** his development next year by forcing him into the MHL if he doesn't extend. Then there's the skating not being the best and of course the small winger piece.

I just don't buy it this time, Michkov it made more sense because he already was there long term, and there were legit smoke about him as a teammate and coachability. Nothing like that here.

I'm more comfortable with Buium than Parekh, and both more than Connelly, but it feels like this is a draft where size+physicality is getting more hype.

I'm legitimately wondering if there's a trade framework that would have Hutson go to San Jose and Montreal get Pittsburgh's 1st, with the Habs parlaying that pick and Winnipeg's to get New Jersey's or Buffalo's pick. Not that I want to trade Hutson, but Buium and one of Demidov, Lindstrom, Iginla or Catton may be better for Montreal in the long run (and better manage their young D pipeline).

I'm the opposite. Parekh is special offensively and a right shot. Buium isn't better offensively than Hutson, he's not better defensively than Guhle. What is he gonna do? Play 2nd PP and defend 5 on 5?

Just for fun, and I’m sure I’m opening up a can of worms here…who are you taking?

David Reinbacher and Ivan Demidov

VS

Zeev Buium and Matvei Michkov

Option A a thousand times over. It's not even close for me.

Absolute worst case scenario

And out of touch with what anyone at the combine heard.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Absolute worst case scenario

I could live with it just fine, but I guess coming out of it with Sennecke and Letourneau would leave some people angry. It's not quite as sexy as some of the other scenarios. I happen to like Letourneau's potential more than most and Sennecke is a giant homerun swing that I also happen to like.

 

[MD thaivuN]

Except less emotions, less emojis and clearer assessments

and getting paid

 

[Habs7631]

I'm legitimately wondering if there's a trade framework that would have Hutson go to San Jose and Montreal get Pittsburgh's 1st, with the Habs parlaying that pick and Winnipeg's to get New Jersey's or Buffalo's pick. Not that I want to trade Hutson, but Buium and one of Demidov, Lindstrom, Iginla or Catton may be better for Montreal in the long run (and better manage their young D pipeline).

I’ve said a while ago, even before Beck run at the memorial cup.

As much as I like him, If I can package him with #26 to move up significantly I wouldn’t hesitate.

He’s gonna be an excellent bottom six player. But if he can help me get a pick in the low-teen on draft night and one of Catton/Eiserman/Sennecke/Parekh/Dickinson are still available...

Hutson is a different story all together. But he must also have quite the trade value at this point if you’re looking to move up.

I agree with Buium + one of Lindstrom/Demidov/Catton/Sennecke/Eiserman/MBN might be better in the long run.

 

[Sam I Am]

One thing that was said which is telling

Habs sports science staff watched all the groups and took diligent notes, not taking a break.

Until the last group came on and they packed up and left. Trevor Connelly was in the last group.

Two things you can bank on in this year's draft: Celebrini going first and the Habs taking a hard pass on Connelly.

 

[Balthazar]

I could live with it just fine, but I guess coming out of it with Sennecke and Letourneau would leave some people angry. It's not quite as sexy as some of the other scenarios. I happen to like Letourneau's potential more than most.

Wingers have so little value compared to centers and defensemen that if you spend a top 5 pick on a winger he needs to be exceptional. Demidov might be exceptional but Sennecke isn't (and neither is Iginla).

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

So like every yr, MTL will draft the wrong guy according to some, the right guy according to some, he will be hailed a bust shortly after, but also the best pick.

The rebuild will be ruined or on track. Hughes is genius or moronic dr evil look a like.

All this about 13 seconds after the pick.

The meltdown will likely be more entertaining as most seem overly invested in getting "their" guy drafted and being right even though when all is said and done , there is likely many right answers at that pick when you look at it 5 yrs from now

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Seems to just be the Russian factor again, SKA can basically f*** his development next year by forcing him into the MHL if he doesn't extend. Then there's the skating not being the best and of course the small winger piece.

I just don't buy it this time, Michkov it made more sense because he already was there long term, and there were legit smoke about him as a teammate and coachability. Nothing like that here.



I'm the opposite. Parekh is special offensively and a right shot. Buium isn't better offensively than Hutson, he's not better defensively than Guhle. What is he gonna do? Play 2nd PP and defend 5 on 5?



Option A a thousand times over. It's not even close for me.



And out of touch with what anyone at the combine heard.

How are these reports any different from what was being put out indicating we weren't taking Michkov?

 

[jaffy27]

Seems to just be the Russian factor again, SKA can basically f*** his development next year by forcing him into the MHL if he doesn't extend. Then there's the skating not being the best and of course the small winger piece.

It’s not the best but it’s not an issue is it?

As for small winger, think we can survive with Cole and Ivan being in the top 6, I just wouldn’t want to see any more sub 6’ foot guys on the top 2 lines.

 

[WeThreeKings]

How are these reports any different from what was being put out indicating we weren't taking Michkov?

They're different because no one has said we aren't interested, most people connected still see us selecting Demidov just not that it's the slam dunk they originally thought.

I don't like the direction we are going though. It could become just like Michkov.

It’s not the best but it’s not an issue is it?

As for small winger, think we can survive with Cole and Ivan being in the top 6, I just wouldn’t want to see any more sub 6’ foot guys on the top 2 lines.

I think Demidov is closer to 6' than 5'10 but hey anyone can convince themselves out of a great offensive player if they want. They did it once for the best defenseman who had Size poise and a preferred handedness last year. I can't get behind it this year for the 3rd best defenseman especially when one is just the wish version of Hutson offensively and isn't particularly studly on the defensive side.

 

[dauv]

Let me know when and where you're going to let loose. I'll bring my 4K camera and we'll make movies but we can't have you as John Wick. That's already taken. How about Jean Mèche?

Jean Mèche Courté

 

[dauv]

So like every yr, MTL will draft the wrong guy according to some, the right guy according to some, he will be hailed a bust shortly after, but also the best pick.

The rebuild will be ruined or on track. Hughes is genius or moronic dr evil look a like.

All this about 13 seconds after the pick.

The meltdown will likely be more entertaining as most seem overly invested in getting "their" guy drafted and being right even though when all is said and done , there is likely many right answers at that pick when you look at it 5 yrs from now

like the great Guy Carbonneau once said 33% will hate you, 33% will love you, 33% don'tcare/neutral.

 

[pylero]

Biased as he's my favourite forward from the draft, but I have this lingering feeling that Catton is a real possibility at 5, especially with Lindstrom going top 4 and echoes of Demidov slowly sliding.

Hughes hasn't shied from commiting to players he likes, he brings a driver and transitional play element that's missing from the top 6, comes with less risk than Demidov, and provides the team with more control over his development, which seems like a key aspect HuGo.

We know he has met with the team at the combine and throughout the season. He can play wing or center. The final Bob list will be very telling, but if he's ranked top 10, I think he's Montreal bound.

 

[Doublechin]

They're different because no one has said we aren't interested, most people connected still see us selecting Demidov just not that it's the slam dunk they originally thought.

I don't like the direction we are going though. It could become just like Michkov.



I think Demidov is closer to 6' than 5'10 but hey anyone can convince themselves out of a great offensive player if they want. They did it once for the best defenseman who had Size poise and a preferred handedness last year. I can't get behind it this year for the 3rd best defenseman especially when one is just the wish version of Hutson offensively and isn't particularly studly on the defensive side.

That Russian combine might provide some answers

If Demidov is suddenly 5'9 as some indicate

I think we pass

 

[Habs7631]

Anybody knows which players they took for super so far?

 

[yianik]

This Draft is out of control. Celibrini and that's it. The rest is God knows. Would be nice to have a mid teen pick as a guy or two could drop out of whatever is thought of as the top 10.

I wonder how much Bob's list helps figure it out.

 

[Team_Spirit]

MA Godin just reported that Eiserman had dinner with the Canadiens.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1800620037494956191

 

[Rob Sense]

like the great Guy Carbonneau once said 33% will hate you, 33% will love you, 33% don'tcare/neutral.

I prefer the Seinfeld saying...half silk, half cotton and half linen

 

[Egresch]

good listen, another poster commented on

I was pretty surprised they think 2025 is much weaker draft. There are around 15 very good players this year, but even at U18 WC younger players were dominant. Hagens, Martone, Radivojevic, Misa and bunch of other players who have size and skill. I think it is exact opposite and 2025 seems stronger and deeper.

 

[Andrei79]

The risk being Russian or having inflated numbers in the MHL?


I highly doubt they’d package Hutson in any realistic deal proposal

Production in a low level league that's hard to project, average speed, Russian skilled winger who's SKA property who will have no qualms about keeping him down. I'm not saying it's right, but NHL teams don't usually take that kind of risk that high. Briere did, but Philadelphia has been run like amateurs since he's arrived and they might have had an idiot savant moment having Michkov there.

 

[NobleSix]

Been saying for a long time that Lindstrom would go before Demidov and I believe that will be the case if Chicago passes. Don't see a world where Columbus doesn't take the big skilled and speedy centerman.

If Chicago takes Demidov were likely drafting a defenseman.