HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[ChesterNimitz]

Yes but Catton isn't that.

Maybe yes. Maybe no. One thing is certain though, Catton will be taken higher than both: Point 79 OA in 2014 and Barzel 16th OA in 2015.

 

[Mrb1p]

Arguably no, but practically probably yes given the effect self-devaluing Cole would have on the franchise.



Yes but Catton isn't that.

I think theres a scenario where Catt is Point.

I also think theres a scenario where we just move CC/Ei for a different forward or something else.

 

[SOLR]

Maybe yes. Maybe no. One thing is certain though, Catton will be taken higher than both: Point 79 OA in 2014 and Barzel 16th OA in 2015.

Both are better skater. Catton is being picked earlier because 2024 is a weak year. He's not getting picked in the top 12 last year, so I rank him about the same rank as Barzal.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Any blue chip prospect will help this team.
If we can get Catton, I would be happy

A very progressive and refreshing approach this early Christmas morning.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Both are better skater. Catton is being picked earlier because 2024 is a weak year. He's not getting picked in the top 12 last year, so I have about him at the same rank as Barzal.

About where we will be drafting this year. I suspect that there would be general elation here if Catton ‘falls’ to us. Regrettably, that’s an unlikely scenario. But it’s Christmas: a time for hopes and dreams.

Merry Christmas to all here.

 

[HuGort]

Hope when you say two franchise players you mean Hughes and Dobson, not Tkachuk

You don't like Tkachuk? He'd fit in nicely with small forwards

 

[HuGort]

What do we think of Dean Létourneau ?

First I heard of him. Huge isn't he?

 

[NekkiChiconey]

Both are better skater. Catton is being picked earlier because 2024 is a weak year. He's not getting picked in the top 12 last year, so I have about him at the same rank as Barzal.

Catton is definitely up there in terms of skating. Don't forget that Point was nowhere near his current level when drafted.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Catton is definitely up there in terms of skating. Don't forget that Point was nowhere near his current level when drafted.

That is why Point was drafted so comparatively low in his draft class.

 

[Mrb1p]

Both are better skater. Catton is being picked earlier because 2024 is a weak year. He's not getting picked in the top 12 last year, so I have about him at the same rank as Barzal.

2024 Isnt a weak year at all. 2023 was just exceptionally strong.

 

[SOLR]

2024 Isnt a weak year at all. 2023 was just exceptionally strong.

I think it's at least under average past the top 8, the top 8 makes this draft average.

Catton is definitely up there in terms of skating. Don't forget that Point was nowhere near his current level when drafted.

He's not bad, but if he was better he would be in the WJC team....

 

[Leto]

Hope this is not true... This will definitely hurt Demidov's draft stock.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I think it's at least under average past the top 8, the top 8 makes this draft average.



He's not bad, but if he was better he would be in the WJC team....

Unless they’re exceptional, Hockey Canada prefers a team based on 19 year olds. I can’t find fault with that approach as there is generally a material development gap between a 19 year old athlete and an 18 year old athlete.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Hope this is not true... This will definitely hurt Demidov's draft stock.

Ahhh looks like I was right again... just before January exactly as I predicted

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Hope this is not true... This will definitely hurt Demidov's draft stock.

If he’s available, I’m taking him. Demidov is that good. Celebrini is the clear cut best player available. But in straight comparison in talent, its a toss up between Lindstrom and Demidov for #2.

Just my opinion.

And if Demidov is available, I’m drafting him regardless of what Tsar Putin has to say. In two or three years maybe nature will do all mankind a favour and move this fool unto his just awards.

 

[SOLR]

Unless they’re exceptional, Hockey Canada prefers a team based on 19 year olds. I can’t find fault with that approach as there is generally a material development gap between a 19 year old athlete and an 18 year old athlete.

For sure, but our best player will be 17 for the 2nd year in a row. If he could hang he would be there. Right now he's not quite there in speed and physicality.

 

[Sherwoo9]

I think it's at least under average past the top 8, the top 8 makes this draft average.



He's not bad, but if he was better he would be in the WJC team....

How many undrafted team Canada WJC members can you name that were later drafted outside the top 2? Wright and?

 

[NekkiChiconey]

He's not bad, but if he was better he would be in the WJC team....

What? In that case I assume both Point and Barzal made the team as underagers? Oh wait...

Catton isn't exceptional like Bedard or Celebrini, but his absence from the WJC doesn't mean he can't be elite. By the way, if Cowan and Minten made the team, I'm pretty sure Catton could hang.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

For sure, but our best player will be 17 for the 2nd year in a row. If he could hang he would be there. Right now he's not quite there in speed and physicality.

I won’t argue with that. But if he ‘falls’ to us, we should considered ourselves to be very lucky.

 

[SOLR]

I won’t argue with that. But if he ‘falls’ to us, we should considered ourselves to be very lucky.

He won't fall out of the top 10 since there is no one to make him fall.

 

[SOLR]

What? In that case I assume both Point and Barzal made the team as underagers? Oh wait...

Catton isn't exceptional like Bedard or Celebrini, but his absence from the WJC doesn't mean he can't be elite. By the way, if Cowan and Minten made the team, I'm pretty sure Catton could hang.

Jumping the gun much? I said this because this year, another 17 years old could have made the team, it's not the strongest group we've seen.

Catton and Celebrini were both stated as exceptional at 15. Much like Yager was at 16. Sometimes the hype doesn't translate immediately, sometimes it takes a 1-2 year hiatus.

How many undrafted team Canada WJC members can you name that were later drafted outside the top 2? Wright and?

How many breadsticks do you need to be full?

Stop asking these questions that require hours of research FOR OTHERS TO DO in the intent of sounding clever, it's such a stupid way to approach any argument. What do you think you are proving, that you are too lazy to do the research yourself? It's your f***ing argument.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

He won't fall out of the top 10 since there is no one to make him fall.

Regrettably.

 

[Leto]

If he’s available, I’m taking him. Demidov is that good. Celebrini is the clear cut best player available. But in straight comparison in talent, its a toss up between Lindstrom and Demidov for #2.

Just my opinion.

And if Demidov is available, I’m drafting him regardless of what Tsar Putin has to say. In two or three years maybe nature will do all mankind a favour and move this fool unto his just awards.

The original poster of the tweet speculates that it might take up to 5 years before a Russian prospect is allowed to leave. Now, in Demidov’s case, there are signs indicating he is looking to move on to NA once his contract expires in after the 2024-2025.

Although the talent and potential of Demidov is undeniable, I would worry about the lack of oversight on the development and medical decisions of the prospect if he is forced to stay for 5 years post-draft in Russia.

 

[Sherwoo9]

Jumping the gun much? I said this because this year, another 17 years old could have made the team, it's not the strongest group we've seen.

Catton and Celebrini were both stated as exceptional at 15. Much like Yager was at 16. Sometimes the hype doesn't translate immediately, sometimes it takes a 1-2 year hiatus.



How many breadsticks do you need to be full?

Stop asking these questions that require hours of research FOR OTHERS TO DO in the intent of sounding clever, it's such a stupid way to approach any argument. What do you think you are proving, that you are too lazy to do the research yourself? It's your f***ing argument.

Fact is I did the research to be sure and didn’t find much. Reason I put it that way is that it's so obvious (duh). I personally am very far from a prospect specialist and make my opinions of reading many others, but even me can recon such a weak argument when I read one. Team Canada doesn’t ever take an U18 unless they’re projected contention for 1st overall. It doesn’t take anything from Catton, neither it did from the 100s of uninvited U18 before him that ended up great NHL players.

 

[Nevins]

Everyone comments on the choices in the first round but few on the following selections. The Canadian needs elite forwards (center and right winger preferred), tall and big attackers, physical right-handed defenders and perhaps a goalie. Here are some prospects that seem interesting to me in the following rounds. And you?

Luke Missa C
Thomas Lavoie DD
Alex Blais Rw
Andrew Basha LW
Nikita Artamonov Lw
Adam Kléber Dd
Jordan Tourigny Dd
Justin Poirier Rw
Eriks Mateiko Lw
Cole Beaudoin C
Aatos Koivu C
Matvei Babenko Rw
Jakub Milota G
Tyler Mcinnis Thorpe Rw