HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[le_sean]

Buium is pretty much what Hutson fans think Hutson is.

But Hutson is that. He showed it for two years in the NCAA. He also showed it in the two NHL games against a team trying desperately to make the playoffs.

 

[Slew Foots]

I do agree with Pronman that Demidov is probably closer to Lucas Raymond level of player than he is to Panarin/Kaprizov. The expectations of this player are getting very high and especially our fanbase who is drooling for a high skill player is overrating him.

Still take him at 5, but I feel like he's being set up to fail. People will expect him to become a 90+ point player or something ridiculous.

I don't necessarily disagree with you. Demidov as a 90+ point player is not my base case. He needs to work on his separation speed, get stronger, and work on that shooting strength. But if everything goes his way, then he could end up hitting that gamebreaker level. And the habs need to make that gamble. I can't take another decade of not having a gamebreaker.

 

[sampollock]

In 2 weeks we could be picking Ivan Demidov.

or lidstrom? lol

 

[WeThreeKings]

He said that he thinks its gonna be Demidov but theres a possibility that the Habs go in another direction.

He did say that - but the last two podcasts he was on, with Alex Adams the other day and The Athletic Hockey Talk just yesterday, he did not have that condition. He said if Demidov is there, they'd be picking him. So maybe something else came into his ear since then.

I like Iginla and Sennecke, but I can't see either becoming a true gamebreaker. If Lindstrom and Demidov are gone at 5 (which I'd be pissed about), and they refuse to take the BPA (which is likely a D at that point) because they insist on a forward, then I'd rather see them gamble on Catton (i.e., on a guy who mayyyy one day have a chance at being gamebreaker if everything goes his way).

But we all know the habs won't do that. And your read of what the habs are thinking based on what they're putting out through their trusted propagandists (i.e., Basu, Godin and McGAG) is accurate.

There are players that help you thrive in the playoffs, but you also need players to get you to the playoffs - with ease.

I don't see Iginla as a gamebreaker, but he is an effective forward who will provide value in the regular season and the playoffs. I do think that Sennecke can become a game breaker, his hands and spatial awareness are really special and he has this unique bend to his frame that could be difficult for defenders to handle. The risk profile is just higher on him than Iginla because if he doesn't keep improving, you might have a Benoit Pouliot type player which is less effective than a Jake Debrusk which looks to be Tij's floor.

I'd also gamble on Catton but that size is the prohibiting factor so we just have to move beyond that as you mentioned.

It seems like a lot of people are just statwatching with Buium. He's not as good offensively as Fox was in college despite the point totals, but I believe he's better defensively than Fox was (Fox was a bit of a mess in the defensive zone his first season, still blows me away how good he became in the pros).

Still, I think playstyle-wise that's going to be his closest pro comparable, especially if his skating remains at the level it's at.

They are - his stats are eyepopping but you are essentially betting on his hockey IQ to be still a cut above NHLers because the skating tool is good not great, the playmaking tool is great but it comes off of the separation moves and his shot isn't a weapon.

Parekh is the guy who is more special offensively because he scored goals at a level we've not really ever seen. We can quantify how much of a weapon that can be and his handles are just as good as Buium, it's just the defensive game which isn't as good as Buium's but Buiums defensive game isn't special either. The hope for both are to be adequate to allow the offensive tools to be on the ice in more situations.

I do agree with Pronman that Demidov is probably closer to Lucas Raymond level of player than he is to Panarin/Kaprizov. The expectations of this player are getting very high and especially our fanbase who is drooling for a high skill player is overrating him.

Still take him at 5, but I feel like he's being set up to fail. People will expect him to become a 90+ point player or something ridiculous.

It's a fair evaluation - the fans did the same thing with Michkov last year. That being said, a Lucas Raymond is a fantastic player and someone we should and would have room for.

Demidov has a lot of special qualities and I'm higher on him than Michkov. But there's a bust risk on this player, but I don't want to play safe again. Let's go for the highest skill possible.

or lidstrom? lol

He's not making it to us.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

He did say that - but the last two podcasts he was on, with Alex Adams the other day and The Athletic Hockey Talk just yesterday, he did not have that condition. He said if Demidov is there, they'd be picking him. So maybe something else came into his ear since then.



I don't see Iginla as a gamebreaker, but he is an effective forward who will provide value in the regular season and the playoffs. I do think that Sennecke can become a game breaker, his hands and spatial awareness are really special and he has this unique bend to his frame that could be difficult for defenders to handle. The risk profile is just higher on him than Iginla because if he doesn't keep improving, you might have a Benoit Pouliot type player which is less effective than a Jake Debrusk which looks to be Tij's floor.

I'd also gamble on Catton but that size is the prohibiting factor so we just have to move beyond that as you mentioned.



They are - his stats are eyepopping but you are essentially betting on his hockey IQ to be still a cut above NHLers because the skating tool is good not great, the playmaking tool is great but it comes off of the separation moves and his shot isn't a weapon.

Parekh is the guy who is more special offensively because he scored goals at a level we've not really ever seen. We can quantify how much of a weapon that can be and his handles are just as good as Buium, it's just the defensive game which isn't as good as Buium's but Buiums defensive game isn't special either. The hope for both are to be adequate to allow the offensive tools to be on the ice in more situations.



It's a fair evaluation - the fans did the same thing with Michkov last year. That being said, a Lucas Raymond is a fantastic player and someone we should and would have room for.

Demidov has a lot of special qualities and I'm higher on him than Michkov. But there's a bust risk on this player, but I don't want to play safe again. Let's go for the highest skill possible.



He's not making it to us.

Yeah I think we agree on everything except the level of Buium's defensive game. I think he's going to be pretty great at it in the pros, especially his puck retrievals under pressure.

On another note I'd love Basha/Surin/Chernyshov with 26 but if they aren't there Vanacker-Beck-x has the makings of a world class 3rd line in the future.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Yeah I think we agree on everything except the level of Buium's defensive game. I think he's going to be pretty great at it in the pros, especially his puck retrievals under pressure.

I'd love Basha/Surin/Chernyshov with 26 but if they aren't there Vanacker-Beck-x has the makings of a world class 3rd line in the future.

He'll do great at getting pucks and getting them up ice.. I just don't think the skating is good enough and being only 6'0, he's not gonna be big enough.. so really he has a lot of the same warts that Lane Hutson has, to the same point that Hutson has to learn to excel but be sheltered by his partner, Buium will have to as well.

I believe in Hutson enough that the redundancy of Buium makes me lean Parekh if I had to pick a defenseman. Ultimately, I don't like any defenseman for us except Levshunov and he won't be there.

Dickinson is a Guhle clone.
Parekh and Yakemchuk are very similar to Mailloux in the offense department.
Buium is very similar to Hutson.
Silayev isn't like anyone we have but I just think he's projected high because of his height and skating, I don't think he's a particularly good hockey player.

 

[Ozmodiar]

He said that he thinks its gonna be Demidov but theres a possibility that the Habs go in another direction.

Don’t sleep on Catton.

… if they want that playmaker but more Saskatchewan than Russia.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Knowing my Habs, even if Celebrini is still there, they will take a freaking D.

LET'S GOOOOOOO!

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

He'll do great at getting pucks and getting them up ice.. I just don't think the skating is good enough and being only 6'0, he's not gonna be big enough.. so really he has a lot of the same warts that Lane Hutson has, to the same point that Hutson has to learn to excel but be sheltered by his partner, Buium will have to as well.

I believe in Hutson enough that the redundancy of Buium makes me lean Parekh if I had to pick a defenseman. Ultimately, I don't like any defenseman for us except Levshunov and he won't be there.

Dickinson is a Guhle clone.
Parekh and Yakemchuk are very similar to Mailloux in the offense department.
Buium is very similar to Hutson.
Silayev isn't like anyone we have but I just think he's projected high because of his height and skating, I don't think he's a particularly good hockey player.

Fair enough, my 3-10 range are all pretty close together both in terms of forwards and defense (to the point I wouldn't be upset picking any of them).

Agreed on Silayev, he's on a tier with MBN and Helenius for me where I see the 2nd line/2nd pairing as by far the most likely projections.

 

[le_sean]

I do agree with Pronman that Demidov is probably closer to Lucas Raymond level of player than he is to Panarin/Kaprizov. The expectations of this player are getting very high and especially our fanbase who is drooling for a high skill player is overrating him.

Still take him at 5, but I feel like he's being set up to fail. People will expect him to become a 90+ point player or something ridiculous.

That’s great since we don’t have a Lucas Raymond on the team or in the pipeline. I don’t see how any rational fan should be upset by that upside.

 

[Artaud]

This is smokescreen season. If the Habs really want Demidov, it would be much more logical for them to spread around info that they might pass on him, because that feeds into the prevailing notion that his stock is falling.

If the word was out that they are salivating at the idea of him at 5, it might make teams in the top 5 think again about picking him.

I'm still convinced Demidov at 5 is the dream scenario for this team.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

This is the only rational top 10 you should have:

1. Celebrini
2. Demidov
3. Dickinson
4. Buium
5. Lindstrom
6. Catton
7. Iginla
8. Levshunov
9. Silayev
10. Yakemchuk


I doubt he shot up 3 inches over a single summer, but fair point nonetheless

Can you name another Top 50 prospect who had a similar growth spurt?

And for the love of all things Iginla, I think it’s a bit ignorant to summarily dismiss a necessary period of adjustment.

 

[le_sean]

This is smokescreen season. If the Habs really want Demidov, it would be much more logical for them to spread around info that they might pass on him, because that feeds into the prevailing notion that his stock is falling.

If the word was out that they are salivating at the idea of him at 5, it might make teams in the top 5 think again about picking him.

I'm still convinced Demidov at 5 is the dream scenario for this team.

If Gorton’s vision was to recreate the Rangers, the Habs only shot at a Panarin-type talent is through the draft. We don’t have the same clout as the city of NY. The team is only getting better from here, so this may be our last shot.

 

[Slew Foots]

This is smokescreen season. If the Habs really want Demidov, it would be much more logical for them to spread around info that they might pass on him, because that feeds into the prevailing notion that his stock is falling.

If the word was out that they are salivating at the idea of him at 5, it might make teams in the top 5 think again about picking him.

I'm still convinced Demidov at 5 is the dream scenario for this team.

4D chess at play here

Inception like levels of smokescreens

 

[KevSkillz4]

Guys and girls, that's all talk for nothing. They are going to draft a player for the culture. Welcome to MTL, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, the perfect type of guy for the culture.

 

[Beaker]

Any possibility the Canadiens taking Iginla for dinner is to bait another team such as Calgary to trade up? Especially if they feel the forwards after Celebrini are “Tier 2.” They’ve shown dinner means nothing in previous drafts.

 

[26Mats]

2 weeks until Christmas.

I really need to buy myself an advent calendar to help with this wait.

 

[KevSkillz4]

2 weeks until Christmas.

If your Christmas is Konsta Helenius or Anton Silayev, that's not Christmas, that's a huge nightmare.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

2 weeks until Christmas.

I really need to buy myself an advent calendar to help with this wait.

Everybody will be happy. Everybody!



(((If Habs grab two Top 15s)))

 

[Mrb1p]

Just a quick note on Sennecke: it seems like he actually came into the year as 6'2" if you look at McKenzie's pre-season 2024 rankings: Bobby Margarita's 2024 NHL Draft preseason rankings

There is absolutely zero chance he grew four inches in the span of 3 months. More likely he measured in at 5'11 1/2 last year in his D-1 in September and he came in at 6'1 and some change 12 months later. It's a ridiculous notion that the "growth spurt" would have anything but negligible impact on his play.

It's just typical pseudo-intellectualism that we always see from 2-3 posters on this board.

 

[Seb]

How the hell do you guys still have so much to talk about when there's been nothing going on this week?

 

[Apfel Struble]

If the Habs don't trade their 26th (which appears to be unlikely however), Basha looks like an interesting player. What's the knock on him? He seems like a very translatable player with average size for an NHL forward

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

Who is this year’s best skater?

 

[Artaud]

If Gorton’s vision was to recreate the Rangers, the Habs only shot at a Panarin-type talent is through the draft. We don’t have the same clout as the city of NY. The team is only getting better from here, so this may be our last shot.

I agree. It is unrealistic to expect the Habs to acquire that kind of talent through a Dach-style trade. These players are dealt only in exceptional circumstances and since it's a matter of being opportunistic, a team can't really plan on building in such a way.

The only real bummer with Demidov is that he will in all likelihood waste another year in the MHL. But management was fine with Reinbacher simmering in the NLA so I don't think it would be the biggest issue for them.

In the event that they are lucky enough to pick Demidov, the big question with regards to evaluating management will boil down to :

Would you rather have Reinbacher and Demidov, or Michkov and Parekh or Yakemchuck (presumably top available RDs at 5)?

We know how this media market is. Demidov vs. Michkov would become a constant conversation topic for years to come, to the point where it would become incredibly annoying. I'd almost rather not have Demidov on the team just to avoid the hours and hours of debate that would ensue.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

There is absolutely zero chance he grew four inches in the span of 3 months. More likely he measured in at 5'11 1/2 last year in his D-1 in September and he came in at 6'1 and some change 12 months later. It's a ridiculous notion that the "growth spurt" would have anything but negligible impact on his play.

It's just typical pseudo-intellectualism that we always see from 2-3 posters on this board.

I don't know if I agree with you there. I obviously wasn't playing at an OHL level but I went from 5'7" during my hypothetical OHL draft year to 6'2" during my hypothetical NHL draft year and getting used to skating, stickhandling, and the newfound reach I had made me into an entirely different player.

I know 5'10" to 6'3" is less drastic a difference, but it's also a much higher level than I was playing at. I think he's still figuring out his limitations and constantly testing them, and I know it's a small sample size but I wouldn't be upset with gambling on his upside. He wouldn't be my first pick (9th on my board), but if our developmental staff really is that good I think they'd be excited to have a unique player like that.

Who is this year’s best skater?

Dickinson, Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Lindstrom, Spellacy, Luchanko are the first 5 names that come to mind.