HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[sandviper]

Demidov is a terrific talent in terms of skating and he has a great shot. Likes to shoot on the right side of the net but I'm sure he can fine tune that. The one timer would be nice though. It's a PP weapon like Kucherov. But yeah, Demidov just does not show that ability right now. Can he develop it? Who knows. Slaf has worked very hard at it.

I'll eat crow on this but Demidov might become a perimeter skilled type who don't like physical contact. Hard to gauge by watching video but there is a some sample of that.

He's going to be good just on his skating alone. He's hard to catch. I just don't know how good and my instincts tell me he won't be as good as some think he will be. This is not your typical Russian with size/weight. His size/weight is not terrible but he's not going to be a physical type. That's my assessment on him.

At best, P Kane.
At worse, Ehlers?

Demidov’s skating isn’t actually a strength at all. He doesn’t have top-end speed and his stride can use a lot of refinement. Edge work is decent.

From what I’ve seen and read, he seems to be fine with physical play. I know he’s not going to throw his body around and power through defenders, but I don’t feel he’s a perimeter player at all. Whether he becomes one in the NHL remains to be seen.

 

[Habs Icing]

Drafting Zeev Buium and trading Kaiden Guhle may land us the better defenseman (Buium > Guhle) and the better forward. (If : the guy we trade Guhle for > the guy we pick at 5)

It may also land us the worse D-man and the weaker forward unless you have a reliable crystal ball. Mine has been in the shop since I cheered the Savard-Chelios trade.

Do you guys still pick Demidov if he's 5'10¾?

My red line is 5'104/5.

 

[SOLR]

More like P Kane to me. Demidov has to improve his one timer to be as effective as Kucherov. How many goals does Kucherov score with that deadly and accurate one timer? I don't think Demidov's shot is that accurate yet and I'm not talking about the one timer. He's shooting right side a lot and scoring a lot but I like Iggy's shot more. He's picking all different areas of the net. Iggy doesn't have a good one timer either though. It's difficult to develop at that high level. Game happens so fast.

We shouldn't be tied to comparing Demidov to another Russian. If that is the requirement, I would pick Datsyuk. The interesting part to the Russian forward stars is I will say 75% of them are north of 6'-0" and 200 lbs. Then you got guys like Kucherov and Datsyuk who are on the lighter side. So basically, Demidov falls in that 25% lighter but skilled/skater type.

So yeah, P Kane or Datysuk are my ceiling comparables



Long few weeks coming. This draft has me both nervous and excited. We need to hit with this pick.

Don't think you remember Kucherov's one timer at 18 years years old either

He developed that around 21-22 years old, they all do.

I agree Datsyuk/Kane are good comparables, but Demidov is a much bigger version so right there he will escape these comparables ceiling range- ultimately comparable are flawed, I just expect him to have a Kucherov like presence on the ice, where you can't give him an inch or he's going to make you pay. LIkely to be more a playmaker (Federov/Panarin) than scorer in terms of point production. 30g / 70a - but that's before we see how he develops his shot options later.

 

[Habs Icing]

I started going 6 months after he left, thought I would bounce back to my old self but stayed down. The therapist told me that thinking about him running coffee for the boys in LA might make me happy for a while, it would wear off. It did so now I wore a rubber band around my wrist and snapped myself every time I had a nasty thought about the man. Three wrist infections later I realized I needed more, so I drown my sorrows in chocolate milk with cream soda chasers. Hard on the guts but keeps my mind off of him....

It would help if you tried ayahuasca.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I don't think Demidov is a 2ppg player, and if I did I would have him first overall over basically everybody.

 

[Habs Icing]

There were darker days before Berg.

MT... well obviously Price was a factor, but he won a lot of games.

He sold high on Subban, acquired a cornerstone player in #14, and made the right pick at #3..at the time.

He shafted Markov.

They call him BargainBin for a reason... never wanted to pay full for Price.

He had his faults forsure, but I'll take him over Pierre Gauthier everyday of the week.

How about Houle?

View attachment 883796

I believe he was thinking of his exploits on the ice. Not the bedroom.
N.B. I'm a big Lindstrom fan having seen only highlight videos and listened to amateur sports personalities reviewing his medical charts.

 

[SOLR]

I don't think Demidov is a 2ppg player, and if I did I would have him first overall over basically everybody.

90-120 ceiling, depends a lot on the next few years. Medium level of risk there, given the environment. What's happening in Ukraine might have a bigger impact on him than Michkov if something happens on the battlefield in the fall (it's gearing up to something major). Demidov needs more development than Michkov.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Demidov’s skating isn’t actually a strength at all. He doesn’t have top-end speed and his stride can use a lot of refinement. Edge work is decent.

From what I’ve seen and read, he seems to be fine with physical play. I know he’s not going to throw his body around and power through defenders, but I don’t feel he’s a perimeter player at all. Whether he becomes one in the NHL remains to be seen.

From the video I have watched, I think his skating is very good. Not sure about the top end speed but I do think his edge work and cross overs is top notch.

If he was OK with the physical play, I think he plays more than 4 KHL games last year. This area is just not easy to predict. We really don't have a good sample size of that because I think the MHL is not physical at all. I personally am not going to go out of my way to find reasons of supporting Demidov being a physical player.

Not saying he is a red flag and we shouldn't draft him, just trying to nail down what type of player he is and will be. I remember talking about Slaf and his puck possession and some gullible fans tried to tell me Slaf was a puck possession winger. Well, he wasn't but the good news is he might be... Because why? He's working very hard at it after the draft. The gains players make after the draft are massive in terms of who develops well and who doesn't.

As the years go by and we learn more (as pretender scouts), I realize that those D+ years are massive. You hear it from all the stars when they talk about the commitment to improving. Ability to overcome challenges along the way. When I look at a player like Iginla, I think that he is that type. Always wanting to improve and become better than others. I'm not sure with Demidov but he's high on my list regardless.

 

[Scotianhab]

If they take Dickinson imagine Matheson be traded for another pick in top 15. Take Catton, Sennecke or Eiserman. Whomever is still available.

Be good first round draft Dickinson, Sennecke and Stiga.

Use the caproom saved to sign a UFA. DeBrusk?

It doesn’t make sense to trade Matheson when Dickinson wouldn’t be in the NHL next season. It would happen next offseason.

 

[David Suzuki]

If we get Lindstrom and recreate the old legion of doom line who's our Renberg?

Slaf - Lindros-trom - ???

 

[Habs Halifax]

Don't think you remember Kucherov's one timer at 18 years years old either

He developed that around 21-22 years old, they all do.

I agree Datsyuk/Kane are good comparables, but Demidov is a much bigger version so right there he will escape these comparables ceiling range- ultimately comparable are flawed, I just expect him to have a Kucherov like presence on the ice, where you can't give him an inch or he's going to make you pay. LIkely to be more a playmaker (Federov/Panarin) than scorer in terms of point production. 30g / 70a - but that's before we see how he develops his shot options later.

What does that mean to you? Everyone can have a one timer like Kucherov? Xhekaj can be the next Chara? Slaf is the next Jagr? Exceptions are not the general rule but they do happen. Today, I would bet money that Demidov does not have a one timer like Kucherov. I'm not saying it's impossible for Demidov to develop a one timer like Kucherov. I'm just saying he has little sample of showing that ability today. He would have to work on that obsessively as I'm sure Kucherov did. Slaf is also putting that work in with his one timer. He's improved at it but has a ways to go yet.

Very curious to see how both Michkov and Demidov turn out. If both Demidov and Iggy are on the board when we pick, I would have a very tough decision to make. I know most would pick Demidov but I'm not afraid to project Iggy's development forward as well. I think that young factor is big and it's a birthdate/timing thing.

Personally, I have Datsyuk/Kane more than Kucherov. Kucherov is not a bad comparable though. This is ceiling base talk. Always a touchy subject.

 

[PavelBrendl]

His ceiling is much higher than Catton and Iginla.

Hard disagree. Catton dictates the play, Sennecke reacts to it. Sennecke may have elite hands and a longer reach, but Catton does pretty much everything at a higher level.

 

[SlafySZN]

None of this except for size is based on anything tangible. It’s just your opinion, and again, I have to question how you’ve come to that because it certainly isn’t based on results on the ice.

His 4 more assists, less goals, less points per game makes him “more complete offensively than Iginla”? How so? I’d really like an explanation that isn’t just you saying so.

And before you go off, yes stats are a huge part of the equation. Always have been, always will be.

He’s “bigger” than Iginla, but he’s weaker, slower, less explosive, less physical, and plays a perimeter game, and he’s significantly older. He’s also worse defensively, among a number of other things.

As for Catton, there is not a single thing that Sennecke does better, or even as good. He’s worse in every way, except size.

It’s not an opinion than Sennecke has better hands, puckhandling and playmaking.

Combinaison of playmaking, shot and how he use his hands in situations, and other details that’ll get better in time makes him a potential complete player with his tools when put together.

And no, he is not playing a perimeter game.

We’re talking about ceiling/upside here. Which players will reach it is another discussion.

 

[SOLR]

What does that mean to you? Everyone can have a one timer like Kucherov? Xhekaj can be the next Chara? Slaf is the next Jagr? Exceptions are not the general rule but they do happen. Today, I would bet money that Demidov does not have a one timer like Kucherov. I'm not saying it's impossible for Demidov to develop a one timer like Kucherov. I'm just saying he has little sample of showing that ability today. He would have to work on that obsessively as I'm sure Kucherov did. Slaf is also putting that work in with his one timer. He's improved at it but has a ways to go yet.

Very curious to see how both Michkov and Demidov turn out. If both Demidov and Iggy are on the board when we pick, I would have a very tough decision to make. I know most would pick Demidov but I'm not afraid to project Iggy's development forward as well. I think that young factor is big and it's a birthdate/timing thing.

Personally, I have Datsyuk/Kane more than Kucherov. Kucherov is not a bad comparable though. This is ceiling base talk. Always a touchy subject.

All I`m saying is it`s pretty hard to read the one-timer skills from Juniors. It`s a NHL specific skillset. I`m not generalizing the whole skillset just the specific one timer skill.

 

[Habs Halifax]

All I`m saying is it`s pretty hard to read the one-timer skills from Juniors. It`s a NHL specific skillset. I`m not generalizing the whole skillset just the specific one timer skill.

I understand. And I'm just saying that Kucherov's one timer is an anomaly. I would bet money that Demidov won't have a one timer like that. Going with the odds/probability

 

[Habs Halifax]

Hard disagree. Catton dictates the play, Sennecke reacts to it. Sennecke may have elite hands and a longer reach, but Catton does pretty much everything at a higher level.

Are some fans still trying to sneak Sennecke in the 5-8 range mix when most have him 10-14? I think we need Bob's new list next week. See how much of a reach players like Iggy, Catton, Sennecke will be at 5.

I like Sennecke a lot... If I had the 10th or 11th pick. But yeah, I really do think it's a big reach to try to justify taking him 5th.

 

[SOLR]

I understand. And I'm just saying that Kucherov's one timer is an anomaly. I would bet money that Demidov won't have a one timer like that. Going with the odds/probability

Sure from a pure probability pov, but you would have said the same thing about Kucherov himself.
I would guess that Demidov will seek to develop his wrist shot more as it fits his game more, but who knows, right now the one timer is a bit in fashion.

 

[Team_Spirit]

10 more long day...

Sigh...

*That's too long for Cole Eiserman*

-Cole Eiserman

 

[Habs Halifax]

Sure from a pure probability pov, but you would have said the same thing about Kucherov himself.
I would guess that Demidov will seek to develop his wrist shot more as it fits his game more, but who knows, right now the one timer is a bit in fashion.

I only brought up the one timer due to the Kucherov comparable. It's not easy to develop that so that's why I said Kane/Datsyuk.

Someone else said Demidov's skating was OK but not great. First time I have heard this from anyone. I find his skating top notch.

 

[PavelBrendl]

*That's too long for Cole Eiserman*

-Cole Eiserman

View attachment 883869

If Massachusetts were a person, it’d have this kid’s face.

 

[Saundies]

 

[vokiel]

I bet Cole Eiserman does not care.

 

[waffledave]

Demidov is hard to project, his style is kind of unique. I don't think it will work in the NHL as is but he has exceptional skills and smarts, I think he can adapt. His highlights show he sees the game differently.

 

[CHwest]

With all this passion over the number 5 pick something tells me whomever we get is in for a rough ride from some of you. Be kind to our newest hab.

 

[HuGort]

It doesn’t make sense to trade Matheson when Dickinson wouldn’t be in the NHL next season. It would happen next offseason.

It likely will be but I wanted Matheson caproom to sign right shot vet D. Plus the pick in top 15. One of Catton, Sennecke, Eiserman will be there. We have enough depth on left side to do it. Gives us another year look at either Harris or Struble