HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Habs Halifax]

Yup I remember this, happened with Matthew in his draft year too. I feel like players were getting overvalued because of size for so long by NHL management, us fans have a tendency of underrating guys with size and leaning more towards the smaller flashier players. In his draft year Brady had a very unique combination of size and soft hands that you don't see very often in players. This year I feel like Lidstrom has a unique combination of size and footspeed that does not come around very often. He moves like he's 5'9 out there, just a freak athlete.

This time around, I'm taking the sun of another former great. Tig Iginla. I've been trying and trying to find his flaws and can't.

That edge work and shot and weight at an early age. Very good IQ and he's not afraid of the physical areas of the game. The focus in his eyes tells me he's obsessive at improving and pays attention to everything around him.

Some say his top straight line speed is his flaw but man, it's a nit pick. His cross overs and edge work are top notch. Ability to escape pressure along the walls is something that takes players years to develop at in the NHL. Already has a NHL shot. Passing ability and vision is solid

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

Lots of people going by the few threads in here... so many want a dmen now.

It’s kind of understandable though.

I like and feel good about Guhle.
I’m an Arbor fan.
I’m intrigued by Mailloux, Hutson.

But I don’t really see any of them garnering Norris votes. Maybe Guhle…
It’s also early in their careers.

YET, the forward needs are long-standing and obvious. Would be a gut punch to not secure a spark for the O.

Dickinson will be very good and would be a great add.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I find the "this is the last year for a high pick" talk amusing. This team is really bad. It takes time for the stink to wash off

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I thought Laine would be a 45-60 goal scorer

Pure goal scoring talent without the coachability and IQ/heart isn't not something I'd want so high in the draft

Fair enough. The concerns are legit.

But I'd definitely love to trade some lower picks (and even next year's 1st) to get Eiserman after the 10th. Walking away with Lidstrom/Eiserman could set us up with a contending team. Getting Lidstrom would mitigate the risks in this draft. Getting Eiserman later would be awesome upside.

We have an abundance of prospects. It's time to start amalgamating some picks for higher grade upside. Eiserman's upside is extremely high. I personally think he's worth it.

But I totally understand anyone who says that he's not. The red flags are there.

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

Nah they've been trying to discredit Iginla for his size in here too.

Michkov is pretty intense and a very strong competitor. Don't fall for the smear campaign.

I didn't fall for the smear campaign. I just don't see how you bring in Michkov's intensity when comparing him to Demidov. There are so many incredible things that Michkov does, and he decides to bring in his intensity? It isn't Michkov's top attribute, and he can certainly be lackadaisical on the defensive side. Although I do like his tenacity on board battles for a small dude.

I don't follow what other people say about a player; this is from my own viewings on Michkov and I always was and still am a fan of him.

 

[le_sean]

I find the "this is the last year for a high pick" talk amusing. This team is really bad. It takes time for the stink to wash off

They were 10 points away from competing for the last playoff spot with a handful of teams and in the most one goal games in the league despite injuries to key players. The team isn’t contending but they aren’t “really bad”

 

[RationalExpectations]

I find the "this is the last year for a high pick" talk amusing. This team is really bad. It takes time for the stink to wash off

This team is not good enough for sure to be a cup contender. But picking another top 5 next year would be disappointing. Suzuki will be D+8, Caufield D+6, Dach D+6, Newhook D+6, Guhle D+5, Barron D+5, Struble D+6, Harris D+7. Montembault is supposed to be at least a 1B goalie, Matheson a 3D, Savard a 5D. Slaf will be D+3… If this core brings you another top 5 at this stage in their development maybe it is justnot the right core.

 

[Mrb1p]

I find the "this is the last year for a high pick" talk amusing. This team is really bad. It takes time for the stink to wash off

You think this team finishes bottom 5 again next year ? If its the case the rebuild is a bust and they need to salvage hard because most picks are D+2 or more now. Progress needs to happen. Although Im sure icing Matheson 28 minutes a game is going to hold the Habs off from the PO's again.

I didn't fall for the smear campaign. I just don't see how you bring in Michkov's intensity when comparing him to Demidov. There are so many incredible things that Michkov does, and he decides to bring in his intensity? It isn't Michkov's top attribute, and he can certainly be lackadaisical on the defensive side. Although I do like his tenacity on board battles for a small dude.

I don't follow what other people say about a player; this is from my own viewings on Michkov and I always was and still am a fan of him.

It is actually one of his top attribute. He's very competitive and it's probably the main thing that leads him to be so clutch.

 

[Doublechin]

This team is not good enough for sure to be a cup contender. But picking another top 5 next year would be disappointing. Suzuki will be D+8, Caufield D+6, Dach D+6, Newhook D+6, Guhle D+5, Barron D+5, Struble D+6, Harris D+7. Montembault is supposed to be at least a 1B goalie, Matheson a 3D, Savard a 5D. Slaf will be D+3… If this core brings you another top 5 at this stage in their development maybe it is justnot the right core.

It's hard to tell

Most people thought Boston will or mightdrastically decline once Bergeron retired but nope

Team culture seems to indicate a healthy room and that's by far the top indicator to grow and eventually win as a team

If our young guys take another step up, we improve, simple as that, whatever we draft this year won't be a contributor next year

 

[FrankMTL]

The next great NHL brother combo, Tij and Joe Iginla. Look out. This is a family of atheletes. Their sister Jade (19 years old), won gold with the Canadian U18's a couple of years ago and is the leading scorer of Brown University in the NCAA.

Those are damn good genes.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I find the "this is the last year for a high pick" talk amusing. This team is really bad. It takes time for the stink to wash off

Whether they win or lose, that is outside of my control, but I will not be rooting for losses any longer. There’s a point where you just become the Senators or Sabres.

 

[Gustave]

I find the "this is the last year for a high pick" talk amusing. This team is really bad. It takes time for the stink to wash off

Top 5 bad?

We might not be out of the woods yet, injuries can occur, regression and all that jazz.

But management seem to indicate they’ll want “progression” and I feel like they will play a part in that scenario with more moves propping up this said “progression”. Bottom 12 finish might be in the cards for the upcoming season. At least it’s more talked about by the ones that can impact it instead of the speeches from the last three seasons.

 

[Mrb1p]

Whether they win or lose, that is outside of my control, but I will not be rooting for losses any longer. There’s a point where you just become the Senators or Sabres.

A team full of talent ? Damn, thats cool. Sens started their rebuild the same year as us.

 

[NotProkofievian]

They were 10 points away from competing for the last playoff spot with a handful of teams and in the most one goal games in the league despite injuries to key players. The team isn’t contending but they aren’t “really bad”

Like I said, it's charming lol

 

[le_sean]

It's hard to tell

Most people thought Boston will or mightdrastically decline once Bergeron retired but nope

Team culture seems to indicate a healthy room and that's by far the top indicator to grow and eventually win as a team

If our young guys take another step up, we improve, simple as that, whatever we draft this year won't be a contributor next year

But he has a point - if a rebuilding/retooling team isn’t take steps forward every year despite their young core mostly being in place, then they might not be the right core.

While this Habs team is again picking 5th, it was very obvious that they were far more competitive than the year before. The next step is to win more games in which they are competitive, which should result in picking in that 10-15 spot next year.

 

[SOLR]

IMO Kent’s gotta be blowing smoke when he talks about what position he’s more or less likely to draft at 5. I have a hard time believing he’s honestly floating that info to the 31 other GMs that are trying to jam a stick in his wheels.

One position is no big deal.

 

[le_sean]

Like I said, it's charming lol

And it’s ignorant to judge a team before they even have a chance at making offseason moves.

 

[Balthazar]

TIG IGINLA! Tell me what flaw he has? This kid is going to top out at 6'-1" and 200 lbs and he's got it all. Skating, edge work, Shot, Grit, IQ. Look at that focus in his eyes.

He's not that gritty actually which is the only reason why he's not a slam dunk top 5 pick IMO.

He isn't a perimeter player but he doesn't play the true power forward game like his dad or the Tkachuks unfortunately. There's a small chance that he gets meaner over time but who knows.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

What do folks think of moving our late-first, plus…to get to pick 18-20 and take Michael Hage?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I find the "this is the last year for a high pick" talk amusing. This team is really bad. It takes time for the stink to wash off

I think we're outside the playoffs. Barring health issues, I don't think we're a top five drafting team next year. We have a real top line. If Dach can actually stay healthy, we'll have a good 2nd line too.

My concern is the D. Still so green. I think that's our downfall.

 

[Runner77]

I don't know why so many are pre-occupied with the next two years.

I don’t know who is. I’m not, it takes the time it takes. We certainly have a much better development contingent than we had under prior management, so we have comfort in knowing that a draftee will be handled competently.

 

[NotProkofievian]

And it’s ignorant to judge a team before they even have a chance at making offseason moves.

Right. Assuming we will be significantly better is also a judgment, no? Just one that you happen to like.

 

[le_sean]

Right. Assuming we will be significantly better is also a judgment, no? Just one that you happen to like.

I’d like to think adding a 2C in Dach and the youngest defence in the league to improve is a rational expectation, no?

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

It is actually one of his top attribute. He's very competitive and it's probably the main thing that leads him to be so clutch.

I disagree. When you watch Michkov play, the first thing that jumps out at you isn't how intense and balls-to-the-wall he is on the ice. It's the skill, the hockey IQ, his hands and his incredible shot.

He was talking about intensity on the ice, not competitiveness. I don't doubt he's competitive, but he's not the type of player that will awe you with how much of a jitterbug he is on the ice. I don't see how this is an argument.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I’d like to think adding a 2C in Dach and the youngest defence in the league to improve is a rational expectation, no?

That might happen. But it also might not. So I'm left wondering why it's rational to expect it.