HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[26Mats]

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

I don't consider Slaf and Reinbacher nightmares. Though they were surprises, and I was really hoping for Michkov at the time.

This year I find myself very optimistic HuGo will make a good selection, though there are no guarantees. Really looking forward to seeing who THEY think is the guy.

 

[le_sean]

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.

We can’t think that way. Because if we also pass on Demidov, then naturally the player chosen (let’s say Iginla) will be compared to both him and Michkov. There’s just no escaping it.

Michkov hasn’t even played a game in the NHL and people are already saying it’s a draft blunder.

 

[Kents polished head]

We can’t think that way. Because if we also pass on Demidov, then naturally the player chosen (let’s say Iginla) will be compared to both him and Michkov. There’s just no escaping it.

Michkov hasn’t even played a game in the NHL and people are already saying it’s a draft blunder.

I didn't mind the Michkov non-selection as much as a ton of other fans for many of the reasons I listed in this very thread;

There is a notion of risk-management that you have to take into consideration at 5.

There were TONS of red flags surrounding Michkov last season, and I really easily imagine how a team might have been scared to draft a guy like this that high in the draft.

What I had more trouble with it passing on all of Dvorsky, Benson and Leonard to get a D, in huge part based on Reinbacher's laterality.

I think a guy like Leonard especially would add something we simply don't have in this organization, and we wouldn't even be having the need vs BPA debate this season. This would have opened up a ton of possibilities and we would actually be discussing to have him make the jump next season. He sure would look great with Dach.

That being said, I think Demidov is a whole other prospect and that it would be disingenuous to pass on a guy like this if available at 5. The guy was considered a top prospect all year long and now that Draft Day approaches, teams are starting to crap their pants "because Russia".

 

[Rapala]

Overthinking it would be taking a player because of his last name when you have another player ranked in front of them.

Yeah because his year was total shit. Nobody is over thinking anything. Iginla checks more boxes than most plain and simple.

 

[Vachon23]

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.

They miss a Adam Fox + Igor Shestorkin too

 

[Rapala]

Bob is a part of it. But, I politely disagree when it comes to forwards and defence. Outside of McDrai, the Oilers are a dumpster fire. Bouchard is a nice piece, but inflated with those two as well.

Barkov + Tkachuk play a style that is so conducive to the playoffs and they match up so well again McDrai.

Then the rest of the team absolutely takes over.....

Give me Reinhart, Bennett, Tank, Verheage all day over Nuge, Kane, etc.

Yup Barkov just has to hold the fort the other three lines are tilted in Florida's favor something fierce.
It's like five or six players not one or two not to mention Barkov does more than just hold the fort.

 

[le_sean]

They miss a Adam Fox + Igor Shestorkin too

Hutson is Adam Fox. Shesterkin was found in the mid rounds, hence all the dart throws last draft at goalies.

 

[Mrb1p]

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.


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

It does have an effect, it would be asinine to suggest otherwise. The effect though is marginal. It's not going from a 70 points pace in the OHL to 118 and he certainly didn't get "it" when his PPG started going up, that's also asinine.

Youre also talking about a league where growth, in all forms, is widespread. If you make the excuse for Sennecke, you have to make it for hundreds.

I didn't mind the Michkov non-selection as much as a ton of other fans for many of the reasons I listed in this very thread;

There is a notion of risk-management that you have to take into consideration at 5.

There were TONS of red flags surrounding Michkov last season, and I really easily imagine how a team might have been scared to draft a guy like this that high in the draft.

What I had more trouble with it passing on all of Dvorsky, Benson and Leonard to get a D, in huge part based on Reinbacher's laterality.

I think a guy like Leonard especially would add something we simply don't have in this organization, and we wouldn't even be having the need vs BPA debate this season. This would have opened up a ton of possibilities and we would actually be discussing to have him make the jump next season. He sure would look great with Dach.

That being said, I think Demidov is a whole other prospect and that it would be disingenuous to pass on a guy like this if available at 5. The guy was considered a top prospect all year long and now that Draft Day approaches, teams are starting to crap their pants "because Russia".

There were tons of red flags that were actually fake flags. The biggest one being the contract. Turns out it wasn't an issue at all. It was a blunder and we have to hope Reinbacher becomes a Norris level D or that Michkov massively disappoints.

 

[TheBuriedHab]

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.

Oh for sure I'd be thrilled with Lucas Raymond. Our pipeline upfront is so barren anyone will be a huge addition.

I just think some people talk about Demidov like he's the missing piece or something. Where I see him realistically being a 55-75pt guy.

 

[ReHabs]

Michkov hasn’t even played a game in the NHL and people are already saying it’s a draft blunder.

Michkov had another great year in the KHL and Reinbacher had a dog's breakfast of a D+1 season. It's ultimately irrelevant until they feature in the NHL but you can't imply 'people' are irrational for thinking it looks bad so far.

 

[Vachon23]

Hutson is Adam Fox. Shesterkin was found in the mid rounds, hence all the dart throws last draft at goalies.

He’s not though

 

[Rapala]

I hope our fans aren't disappointed for more than 30 seconds once we make our selection.
This draft being all over the place won't go the way of many.
Let's show some class and get behind whoever we select no matter what.
We are getting a good to very good player regardless.

 

[ReHabs]

There were TONS of red flags surrounding Michkov last season, and I really easily imagine how a team might have been scared to draft a guy like this that high in the draft.

The only real red flag around Michkov was his physical profile + speed/power. Everything else was nonsense noise, like always.

Picking Reinbacher over Michkov was not as much of a stretch as it was made-out to be... but zeroing in on Reinbacher ("unanimously") in a forward-heavy draft was rather suspect considering the 2024 draft was going to be d-heavy. Let's hope it works out.

 

[le_sean]

He’s not though

He surpassed his numbers in college at a younger age, so yeah, he quite literally is well on track.

Michkov had another great year in the KHL and Reinbacher had a dog's breakfast of a D+1 season. It's ultimately irrelevant until they feature in the NHL but you can't imply 'people' are irrational for thinking it looks bad so far.

The KHL where Chris Wideman won defenceman of the year back when even more international players played in the league? This is the diluted version. I’m not pencilling him as a great NHLer just yet.

 

[ReHabs]

The KHL where Chris Wideman won defenceman of the year back when even more international players played in the league?

Reinbacher had a tough time in his D+1 in an even lower quality league. But you've made this argument before as if we don't know that Michkov's performance is compared to his age cohort and historic age cohort. You don't look at 20+ year old's productions in the CHL because it's irrelevant to the 17-18 year olds you're analyzing for their future NHL performance. Same thing here: Michkov's performance *for his age* is aligned to a very good NHL trajectory.

It's ultimately irrelevant for now -- neither have featured in the NHL yet, and when they do everything else since the draft will be forgotten.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

He surpassed his numbers in college at a younger age, so yeah, he quite literally is well on track.


The KHL where Chris Wideman won defenceman of the year back when even more international players played in the league? This is the diluted version. I’m not pencilling him as a great NHLer just yet.

I mean we can do that kind of logic with the National League too. Marcus Sörensen was the highest scoring player, and Ryan Gunderson the highest scoring defenseman.

 

[ReHabs]

I mean we can do that kind of logic with the National League too. Marcus Sörensen was the highest scoring player, and Ryan Gunderson the highest scoring defenseman.

Of course we can but that implies the application of some rational and clear-headed analysis.

 

[Vachon23]

He surpassed his numbers in college at a younger age, so yeah, he quite literally is well on track.

Production in the NCAA is not the same thing then the NHL. Hutson is far from having Fox defensive game and Fox is a better skater

 

[le_sean]

Reinbacher had a tough time in his D+1 in an even lower quality league. But you've made this argument before as if we don't know that Michkov's performance is compared to his age cohort and historic age cohort. You don't look at 20+ year old's productions in the CHL because it's irrelevant to the 17-18 year olds you're analyzing for their future NHL performance. Same thing here: Michkov's performance *for his age* is aligned too a very good NHL trajectory.

It's ultimately irrelevant for now -- neither have featured in the NHL yet, and when they do everything else since the draft will be forgotten.

You’re also comparing a skilled forward to a two-way defenceman. It’s quite easy to score points if you’re just let loose on a team that can support you offensively. Two-way defencemen can only look as good as the team around them. It also takes them a good 4-5 year to start reaching their potential. It’s a poor comparison to make.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Production in the NCAA is not the same thing then the NHL. Hutson is far from having Fox defensive game and Fox is a better skater

I think Hutson is the better skater between the two but agree otherwise.

Still, Fox's defensive game in college was awful, still blows me away how good he became at it in the NHL. Definitely gives me hope for Hutson to round out his game.

 

[le_sean]

Production in the NCAA is not the same thing then the NHL. Hutson is far from having Fox defensive game and Fox is a better skater

Fox is not a better skater. They are basically the same in that regard.

And that’s why I said “on track” because Lane is currently on track to become better. He was better in the NCAA than Fox. Now it could go a different direction, but he’s currently well ahead of Fox at the same age.

 

[Maitz]

I agree I hope we move up into the 10-16 range but we have to ask ourselves, why would a team trade back? Clearly there is a drop off after 15 or 16 so why would a team take a bunch of lesser picks and or prospect to trade out? Given that reason I don’t think we see it happen.

Me too, but we never know, if a team lacks prospects, I think a team like NYI that has a a poor prospect pool could want to drop from 20 to 26+57 and still get their guy. It depends on the team list. If they are confident their guy will be there at 26 they will trade back and gain an asset

 

[le_sean]

Of course we can but that implies the application of some rational and clear-headed analysis.

Yeah because if anyone is an example of rational analyst, it’s definitely ReHabs

 

[SlafySZN]

Yeah because his year was total shit. Nobody is over thinking anything. Iginla checks more boxes than most plain and simple.

Did i say his year was shit? He’s gonna be a good player but people saying they wouldn’t want to pass on him because his father is Jarome Iginla, comparing this to Tkachuk, is a mistake. If you think someone else is better, you’re not overthinking it because of the family he came from.

 

[Sorinth]

The only real red flag around Michkov was his physical profile + speed/power. Everything else was nonsense noise, like always.

We don't know that yet, if he's a guy who doesn't listen to his coaches and that's why he couldn't make his actual KHL team and was benched by Sochi for then that's a pretty big red flag but we won't know if those rumors are nonsense or not until he both comes over and plays a few seasons.

Now it's certainly true we as fans have no way of sorting through the fact vs fiction so we shouldn't put too much stock into any pre-draft rumors. But it's worth noting NHL teams do have contacts and can get a good idea of what's what. We won't know one way or another whether Hughes was right/wrong for at least another 4-5 years.