HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[Whitesnake]

Yes, not in the same league.

Hensler had D-1 hype, which there was already big questions coming into his draft year. In his draft year, he continues to lower his stock rather than raise it.

Reinbacher was an under the radar prospect coming into his draft year and had a meteoric rise throughout the year based on his record setting performance in the NLA. Great showing at WJC on a overmatched Austrian team and then more high end showings at the World's before the injury.

And yeah everyone who followed the draft knew that Reinbacher was going no later than 6th and has been confirmed a thousand times over was the target of Montreal, Arizona, Nashville and Philadelphia. We don't have confirmations of other teams but the draft buzz was that Montreal would receive offers for 5 and it'd be to get Reinbacher not Michkov.

But you are actually aren't comparing the same thing. We know how it ends up with Reinbacher. We don,t for Hensley. You knew at mid-term in 2023 that Reinbacher would end up top 5? How is a guy at 11 lowering his stock when everybody knew from the get go that he never was a big time scorer and maybe point getter?

How is the RD position SUDDENLY not worth of a top 10 spot anymore?

 

[WeThreeKings]

But you are actually aren't comparing the same thing. We know how it ends up with Reinbacher. We don,t for Hensley. You knew at mid-term in 2023 that Reinbacher would end up top 5? How is a guy at 11 lowering his stock when everybody knew from the get go that he never was a big time scorer and maybe point getter?

How is the RD position SUDDENLY not worth of a top 10 spot anymore?

Not every RD prospect in the draft gets picked top 10 because they are a RD. RD prospects that are in that range will go higher than they'll sit on public lists because they are rarer, harder to find, so in the same bucket, they go to the top of it, the same way centers do, or a winger with size will go above the smaller winger.

Hensler isn't raising his stock, it's been on a decline since his D-1. Sure, things can change, but as of right now, Hensler isn't going in the top 10. Now, Mrtka would be a better example. Listing wise he's probably in the 11-18 range, but there's a chance he gets taken in the late top 10.

 

[Whitesnake]

I am a fan of drafting BPA; but BPA is rarely as black and white as fans want to make it out to be.

The fact is that Reinbacher was going 5. Whether we had the pick. Whether Arizona had it. Whether Philadelphia had it. Whether Nashville acquired it.

In that sense, they definitely took the BPA. I wanted Michkov at 5; he wasn't going to be picked and I was happy with either Reinbacher or Leonard. When things are close, the RD is always going to go ahead of the winger.

This isn't a reach and trying to pretend it is now because Kloten was a mess, we want to ignore his Laval games because it doesn't fit the narrative, and he got hurt in camp, is just par for the course on this board.

It's the misconception you make of what people talk about BPA. And since it's not black and white, the only thing easier to do is to NOT talk BPA...and look at needs instead. That's an easier concept. So when needs are NOT the main point of a pick, it THEN becomes BPA. No matter if I, you, McKenzie or any other list had a particular BPA...it becomes BPA when it's NOT a need.

Was Reinbacher a reach? I don't believe it. I mean, we are not talking Tyler Boucher here. But was Reinbacher chosen SPECIFICALLY to fill a position first? Yes. It then becomes a Need. It then becomes not BPA. Could you be a need and BPA? Absolutely. Could you stlil be that when the GM says ''if he was not a RD, maybe we would have chosen differently''...then then answer is...in that case...no.

Will Reinbacher play in the NHL? I believe he will. Will he be serviceable? I believe he wil too. Remains to know the ceiling. Though at BPA, Michkov was the more talented. Leonard was the best combo talent/grit needed in the playoffs.

Going back to Hensley, he would NOT be a top 10 pick for me. I had Reinbacher top 10. Won't have Hensley top 10. So I prefer Reinbacher. But not in the same league is obviously way too exaggerated in my opinion.

Not every RD prospect in the draft gets picked top 10 because they are a RD. RD prospects that are in that range will go higher than they'll sit on public lists because they are rarer, harder to find, so in the same bucket, they go to the top of it, the same way centers do, or a winger with size will go above the smaller winger.

Hensler isn't raising his stock, it's been on a decline since his D-1. Sure, things can change, but as of right now, Hensler isn't going in the top 10. Now, Mrtka would be a better example. Listing wise he's probably in the 11-18 range, but there's a chance he gets taken in the late top 10.

Still...he's No 11 on McKenzie's. Where should he have been if he was not declining? Top 5?

 

[WeThreeKings]

It's the misconception you make of what people talk about BPA. And since it's not black and white, the only thing easier to do is to NOT talk BPA...and look at needs instead. That's an easier concept. So when needs are NOT the main point of a pick, it THEN becomes BPA. No matter if I, you, McKenzie or any other list had a particular BPA...it becomes BPA when it's NOT a need.

Was Reinbacher a reach? I don't believe it. I mean, we are not talking Tyler Boucher here. But was Reinbacher chosen SPECIFICALLY to fill a position first? Yes. It then becomes a Need. It then becomes not BPA. Could you be a need and BPA? Absolutely. Could you stlil be that when the GM says ''if he was not a RD, maybe we would have chosen differently''...then then answer is...in that case...no.

Will Reinbacher play in the NHL? I believe he will. Will he be serviceable? I believe he wil too. Remains to know the ceiling. Though at BPA, Michkov was the more talented. Leonard was the best combo talent/grit needed in the playoffs.

Going back to Hensley, he would NOT be a top 10 pick for me. I had Reinbacher top 10. Won't have Hensley top 10. So I prefer Reinbacher. But not in the same league is obviously way too exaggerated in my opinion.


Still...he's No 11 on McKenzie's. Where should he have been if he was not declining? Top 5?

If he was playing up to the believed potential going into the year, he'd be right in the mix where you see Desnoyers/Frondell right now.

And I don't think Reinbacher was picked specifically to fill a position. He was picked because he was in the same tier as Leonard and the overall package, position, and other factors that make Reinbacher a great prospect are more rare to select than someone like Leonard.

Those things matter when you are splitting hairs on two great prospects.

 

[Whitesnake]

If he was playing up to the believed potential going into the year, he'd be right in the mix where you see Desnoyers/Frondell right now.

And I don't think Reinbacher was picked specifically to fill a position. He was picked because he was in the same tier as Leonard and the overall package, position, and other factors that make Reinbacher a great prospect are more rare to select than someone like Leonard.

Those things matter when you are splitting hairs on two great prospects.

But it's actually pretty normal to see players fall from the too early rankings a year before no? It happens. Every year. Again, for me, he will have a hard time finishing top 15.....but is it too far fetched to think that in THIS draft....a RD, who is 6'2'', great skater, and also with a pretty high floor, could be interesting for a team?

P.S. I'm not saying he will be chosen. I hope he is not. It would mean some scouts are sane. Just saying...I won't be surprised if he is.

 

[WeThreeKings]

But it's actually pretty normal to see players fall from the too early rankings a year before no? It happens. Every year. Again, for me, he will have a hard time finishing top 15.....but is it too far fetched to think that in THIS draft....a RD, who is 6'2'', great skater, and also with a pretty high floor, could be interesting for a team?

P.S. I'm not saying he will be chosen. I hope he is not. It would mean some scouts are sane. Just saying...I won't be surprised if he is.

I'd be surprised but hey, there's always someone. I don't think it would be us. Mrtka makes more sense for what we'd be looking for, but maybe Hensler has some crazy stats that Boucher is high on.

 

[Whitesnake]

I'd be surprised but hey, there's always someone. I don't think it would be us. Mrtka makes more sense for what we'd be looking for, but maybe Hensler has some crazy stats that Boucher is high on.

Note also that while it's a slide for Hensler from the beginning of the year based on where Button had him ( had him at 3), McKenzie at him at 9. So it's not a big slip. Surely not as big as Ryabkin or even Frondell. And we're obviously going to NOT talk about Guité...lol

 

[WeThreeKings]

Note also that while it's a slide for Hensler from the beginning of the year based on where Button had him ( had him at 3), McKenzie at him at 9. So it's not a big slip. Surely not as big as Ryabkin or even Frondell. And we're obviously going to NOT talk about Guité...lol

Yeah I think he was slipping a bit at the end of D-1, I know there was hype coming into that year on him.. not quite Cam Allen but he certainly isn't doing much to help his stock.

Mrtka is the riser on the RD scale. Although I've heard his production might be higher by some empty calories and his team isn't very good either.

 

[Whitesnake]

Yeah I think he was slipping a bit at the end of D-1, I know there was hype coming into that year on him.. not quite Cam Allen but he certainly isn't doing much to help his stock.

Mrtka is the riser on the RD scale. Although I've heard his production might be higher by some empty calories and his team isn't very good either.

Yeah, needless to say from what I've seen so far....I like Mrtka too.

 

[Egresch]

Radim Mrtka could be taken with our later first round pick.

He is already 12th on Bob's list and he will rise with his profile.

 

[HuGort]

So, you're not a big fan of drafting BPA.

We'll see where it will get us...

When Leonard's ready, Laine won't be with the team anymore...

Can you imagine Leonard and Demidov both arriving next fall?

Radim Mrtka could be taken with our later first round pick.

Mrtka be long gone by Calgary pick. I probably take a center with our puck. Desnoyers or Bear.

Fiddler might be there with Flames pick though. I compare Fiddler to NYR Schneider.

 

[Boyon90]

habs should trade both 1st round they have in 2025 for phili, chicago or san jose top pick in 2026, unless they win the lottery they can then pick schaeffer instead

 

[Habs Icing]

Flames and Canucks now tied in points. Is Calgary's expected slide starting?

We need them to finish 11-13ish. We could finish realistically 7th-10th. How high up could we move with say 7th and 11th? Does it get us to 4 if Schaefer were to drop.

The top 4 is a toss up at this point.

Schaefer is not dropping. He's the 1st overall. If you want Schaefer, you must dream up another scenario to get him.

 

[waitin425]

Schaefer is not dropping. He's the 1st overall. If you want Schaefer, you must dream up another scenario to get him.

Oh I agree. Nothing is 100 percent though. An injured guy can drop.

 

[SOLR]

I don't think we need to move up this year; literally, pick BPA, period, with all our picks.

However, I see us making a trade where some of our draft picks go for a player. But we'll get some extra picks at the deadline and maybe before the draft. Maybe there are too many picks, It's not a great year to pick a lot of players from college to play it.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Ethan Czata is a big favorite of mine, I'd be real happy if we can get him in the early second round. I see legit pro potential in that kid. He's everything Owen Beck is, but with a better frame.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Ethan Czata is a big favorite of mine, I'd be real happy if we can get him in the early second round. I see legit pro potential in that kid. He's everything Owen Beck is, but with a better frame.

Beck is a solid player at 6'-0" and 190 lbs. It's not like he has height but is on the light side of weight. There are a lot of guys who are around 170 lbs and takes them years to get to 190 lbs.

Weight and strength are more important than frame or size. The skilled guys who can put up points can survive with light weight but guys like Beck (and Czata) need to be physically strong to make any impact in the NHL. And they need the skating to go along with it.

How is Czata's skating?

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

How is Czata's skating?

He's an excellent overall skater, both in agility and straight line speed.

 

[Trabdy2]

From my own study of the draft so far I see a pretty good dropoff in that 16-20 range, so it would be really nice is Calgary's does land in that 11-15 range.

If we have one in that 6-10 range (ours) and Calgary's in that 11-15 range, we should come away with a nice haul together with the early second's we have (ours and Pittsburgh's)

 

[FrankMTL]

If we can come away with 2 of:

Caleb Desnoyers
Viktor Eklund
Anton Frundell
Carter Bear
Radim Mrtka
Jake O'Brien
Justin Carbonneau

I'd be be very happy.

 

[WeThreeKings]

If we can come away with 2 of:

Caleb Desnoyers
Viktor Eklund
Anton Frundell
Carter Bear
Radim Mrtka
Jake O'Brien
Justin Carbonneau

I'd be be very happy.

2 of them might be a stretch.. maybe Carbonneau, but I doubt any of the others are available when the Calgary pick is OTC.

 

[FrankMTL]

2 of them might be a stretch.. maybe Carbonneau, but I doubt any of the others are available when the Calgary pick is OTC.

Well that's it. If Calgary pick is 15th, there's a chance, especially if we trade a 2nd to move up a couple of spots to 12th or 13th.....If they're picking 17th or 18th probably only Carbonneau

 

[montreal]

I’d take a late round swing on Ignat Lutfullin. Former teammate of Demi who is now an overager, decently fast with an excellent motor, seems to never stop working. He is still producing very well without Demidov in the MHL.

 

[montreal]

 

[HuGort]

Ethan Czata is a big favorite of mine, I'd be real happy if we can get him in the early second round. I see legit pro potential in that kid. He's everything Owen Beck is, but with a better frame.

Czata certainly improved this season.

Impressive numbers but 157lbs at 20 years old. Maybe a 7th at most