HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Habs Halifax]

Not sure about the grittier part, but it was my understanding that the WHL is closer to what the NHL is in terms of style of play. At least, as far as physicality is concerned.



Here’s to hoping the Ducks were one of the two teams that had Sennecke in their top-10 (as per Bob).

Interesting comment about the WHL.

 

[salbutera]

Scott Wheeler says that as the draft is getting closer, he’s hearing Sennecke is firmly in the mix to Anaheim at 3rd overall and that he feels the Ducks are considering him.

That would shake things up quite a bit.

1. Celebrini
2. Levshunov
3. Sennecke

That would be ideal. One of Demidov/Lindstrom would be ours.

Demidov is definitely not a Little ball of hate type player

 

[SOLR]

The Lindstrom-Dach-Laine is inevitable. The tallest and most injury prone line in league history.

I guess they can open the season and then go have a beer.

Demidov is definitely not a Little ball of hate type player

More of a chess player.

 

[Jaynki]

My only concern with players like Lindstrom, and not necessarily Lindstrom, just players like him... you have to wonder how guys who dominate juniors with their physical tools and size will do when suddenly they aren't the biggest guys on the ice anymore. Lindstrom is a big boy but there are plenty of 6'4 220 lbs dmen in the NHL today.

If he's dominating mostly due to his size vs his peers, he may struggle to replicate the same style in the NHL. Or maybe not, he could continue to get stronger.

I mean there is concern for translatability for every player whatever the way they dominate

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I mean there is concern for translatability for every player whatever the way they dominate

Of course that is true, but it is also true that all concerns are not equal and some concerns have more compelling evidence to support them than others.

 

[Andrei79]

Every team in 2-5 range thinks they're getting Demidov lol.

 

[Jaynki]

Of course that is true, but it is also true that all concerns are not equal and some concerns have more compelling evidence to support them than others.

Fair.

But Lindstrom does not just dominate because of his size and he is still a very big player already by NHL standard.

 

[Jaynki]

Guys put the keyboard down and enjoy life outside. Go for a run, go for a hike, go for a bike ride. Life's beautiful

Id rather compulsively binge draft rankings and hfboards and draft rumours and if i go outside its to binge cigarettes.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Every team in 2-5 range thinks they're getting Demidov lol.

I would edit that to say "every team's fanbase....."

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Fair.

But Lindstrom does not just dominate because of his size and he is still a very big player already by NHL standard.

I have legitimate concerns about his actual talent level. He is big, strong and fast but I haven't witnessed much evidence of high end puck skill or translatable IQ/vision. Health concerns aside I think he is a high risk to plateau as a middle of the lineup complimenary winger like Josh Anderson although maybe a little smarter lol.

The kid could also be a total stud but he will need to show that he has more in his toolbox than out skating and overpowering other junior kids. Perhaps he doesn't need to show other skillsets and is just choosing to keep the game simple. It will be tough to get a good read on him until he turns pro. His size/speed make him something of a Byfield-lite at the same age and despite Byfield clearly being the better prospect it has taken him longer than expected to become an effective NHLer as he relied so much on his physical advantages in junior.

These concerns along with his health concerns scare me enough to avoid him at 5 OA. Among the forwards I already had Demidov, Iginla and Helenius ahead of him before the herniated disc was reported and now I have vaulted Catton and Sennecke past him.....probably Luchanko as well. To be honest I am not totally sure where his free fall would end for me other than the fact that I would take him at 26 lol, but he obviously will not be there.

There is a chance that teams get very strong medical opinions that support a full recovery without increased risk of re-injury in which case he is a top ten pick imo but that will not be available to any of us so I will have to ride my opinion on the matter all the way to the moment of selection.

I have an extremely difficult time envisioning HuGo selecting him with the 5th pick without definitive evidence that his back issues are no more likely to re-occur than any other prospect.

 

[Deebs]

Can't help but laugh at the "I have concerns about Lindstrom's decision making ability" comments.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Alright let's say the draft goes Celebrini/Demidov/Levshunov/Lindstrom and we HAVE to pick a dman, which dman are you guys picking?

We don’t have to draft a blueliner and I’d be surprised if we do. Sennecke, Helenius, Iginla…

Or maybe we actually trade down.

 

[WeThreeKings]

We don’t have to draft a blueliner and I’d be surprised if we do. Sennecke, Helenius, Iginla…

Or maybe we actually trade down.

I don't know why we are discussing this scenario, nothing out there right now suggests Demidov and Lindstrom will be gone by 5.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I don't know why we are discussing this scenario, nothing out there right now suggests Demidov and Lindstrom will be gone by 5.

Probably because all that can be discussed has been. And we’ve still got another few days to go.

The draft can’t come soon enough.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Man if Anaheim really does go Sennecke they're going to be seriously dangerous offensively. Carlsson, McTavish, Sennecke, Gauthier is a hell of a top 4 to build around.

 

[Jaynki]

Or maybe we actually trade down.

Ultimate anti-chad move

I have legitimate concerns about his actual talent level. He is big, strong and fast but I haven't witnessed much evidence of high end puck skill or translatable IQ/vision. Health concerns aside I think he is a high risk to plateau as a middle of the lineup complimenary winger like Josh Anderson although maybe a little smarter lol.

The kid could also be a total stud but he will need to show that he has more in his toolbox than out skating and overpowering other junior kids. Perhaps he doesn't need to show other skillsets and is just choosing to keep the game simple. It will be tough to get a good read on him until he turns pro. His size/speed make him something of a Byfield-lite at the same age and despite Byfield clearly being the better prospect it has taken him longer than expected to become an effective NHLer as he relied so much on his physical advantages in junior.

These concerns along with his health concerns scare me enough to avoid him at 5 OA. Among the forwards I already had Demidov, Iginla and Helenius ahead of him before the herniated disc was reported and now I have vaulted Catton and Sennecke past him.....probably Luchanko as well. To be honest I am not totally sure where his free fall would end for me other than the fact that I would take him at 26 lol, but he obviously will not be there.

There is a chance that teams get very strong medical opinions that support a full recovery without increased risk of re-injury in which case he is a top ten pick imo but that will not be available to any of us so I will have to ride my opinion on the matter all the way to the moment of selection.

I have an extremely difficult time envisioning HuGo selecting him with the 5th pick without definitive evidence that his back issues are no more likely to re-occur than any other prospect.

You make valid points and i agree with many of them.

Tho, to make things pretty simple, a canadian 6ft3 physical centerman who paced for 50+ goals in his draft year is usually a top 3 pick any given year, with every concern you named.(except health concern).

I doubt he would be there at 5 if it wasnt from his health. Now is it the ultimate gift or the poison pill?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Btw, drafting Helenius is like eating broccoli. I know it’s good for me but I’m not excited about it.

 

[thebestnic]

Btw, drafting Helenius is like eating broccoli. I know it’s good for me but I’m not excited about it.

There is no vegetable I would draft in the top 5 tbh. Maybe carrot on a good day.

 

[ngc_5128]

Btw, drafting Helenius is like eating broccoli. I know it’s good for me but I’m not excited about it.

There is no vegetable I would draft in the top 5 tbh. Maybe carrot on a good day.

I love broccoli enough that I would for sure take it #1...but not Helenius. He is more like kale.

 

[Deebs]

There is no vegetable I would draft in the top 5 tbh. Maybe carrot on a good day.

Exactly. Top 5 picks are like ordering you last supper before being executed. Get that big meal with all the fixins

 

[WeThreeKings]

Helenius makes 0 sense. He doesnt have the skill they need and he doesn't have the size they covet.

 

[morhilane]

View attachment 887410

So Ducks don't like Lindstrom's back at 3rd oa and they will go Sennecke instead...
Why are they stealing the Habs's plan?

 

[ReHabs]

Btw, drafting Helenius is like eating broccoli. I know it’s good for me but I’m not excited about it.

What's the closest comparable? I'm afraid of Goldenhands' witchery so I want to see the upside and make my peace with it. The next Koivu?

 

[WeThreeKings]

So Ducks don't like Lindstrom's back at 3rd oa and they will go Sennecke instead...
Why are they stealing the Habs's plan?

I think it has more to do with handedness. Ducks have too many left shots already and they've been looking for right handed D and forwards.

 

[morhilane]

I think it has more to do with handedness. Ducks have too many left shots already and they've been looking for right handed D and forwards.

Would be hilarious if the Ducks management explanation was that if they pick Sennecke "we have too many LWs and needed more RWs".