HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

How come you guys never did your mock draft this year. Other years did it months before end of season

 

[McGees]

I think this is plausible, for sure. I mean, the draft lottery was a bit of a kick in the nuts for us. We desperately need young center prospects. Drafting 11th now, well it is certainly possible that all seven of the projected top-10 guys could be gone.

I could see a situation where Dubas would trade down. Would Hughes deal, say 17 and a center prospect for 11? The Pens could also use left defensemen, SIZE and maybe another goaltending prospect. But centers are absolutely priority 1, no question.

These two GMs have dealt in the past, so I think we might see something again.

Dubas is known to like trading down for additional assets, which MTL has so def could be possible.

 

[Andrei79]

I'll repost what I wrote on the prospect boards:

Lindstrom was a dnd for me in the top 10 because of the herniated disc, but on the tools he was certainly a top 10 talent. I've been told that I "was not a neurosurgeon" and that "teams had way more insight" (@WeThreeKings and many others around here), but no need to be a neurosurgeon to know a relapsing symptomatic herniated disc is very concerning for an young athlete in a contact sport. Most of the patients I see with relapsing pain are just happy to go back to normal daily function and know they are at risk of recurring bouts during their lives. The level of function required to be a professional hockey player is really, really high.

People saying McQueen is dnd in the top 10 because of his back are mistaken, however... If reports are real and it's spondylolysis, prognosis is much better than a disc for that kind of athletes. Way different pathologies.

I can understand the concerns on his lack of drive, consistency, etc. But on the injury front, if reports are true that it is indeed spondylolysis, this is not the same level of concern than with Lindstrom. Prognosis is excellent, chances of relapse after a long period of rest is very, very low.

I tried not getting into Lindstroms injury, as I didn't really follow it enough, but I liked his game and I assumed a team would do their due diligence. You're right about McQueens injury vs Lindstrom however. If McQueen drops due to it, then he becomes a great buy low candidate assuming it's spondylolysis.

 

[Andrei79]

I love Lucas Beckman from the Q. But I predict we might pick a huge project mid-round...a Guy that was supposed all that...and just....wasn't this year....Gabriel D'Aigle.

A few comments on him. I'm not sure he's in the right mental space. From what I gather, he hasn't invested in anything other than hockey (but not in a healthy way) and the fact Victoriaville was brutal really got to him. There's interest from the NCAA, but he hasn't invested time in school at all. He just seems like a kid who will burn out too soon because Dad put too much pressure too soon and too long.

 

[Nevins]

Pretty tough list considering he listed multiple wingers.

Zonnon play center

 

[Nevins]

Pretty tough list considering he listed multiple wingers.

In fact,only Bear isn’t a center

 

[WeThreeKings]

In fact,only Bear isn’t a center

Ryabkin will be a wing. Zonnon and Reschny likely move there too.

 

[Nevins]

Ryabkin will be a wing. Zonnon and Reschny likely move there too.

Ryabkin i agree,Zonnon and Reschny We will see

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

A few comments on him. I'm not sure he's in the right mental space. From what I gather, he hasn't invested in anything other than hockey (but not in a healthy way) and the fact Victoriaville was brutal really got to him. There's interest from the NCAA, but he hasn't invested time in school at all. He just seems like a kid who will burn out too soon because Dad put too much pressure too soon and too long.

We have so many mid/late round picks again that I wouldn't mind taking a risk late on him, on the off chance that he might figure stuff out. His toolbox in itself stays interesting, he has the perfect modern goalie frame and lots of athleticism. He might be salvageable with the right coaching.

 

[Andrei79]

We have so many mid/late round picks again that I wouldn't mind taking a risk late for him, on the off chance that he might figure stuff out. His toolbox in itself stays interesting, he has the perfect modern goalie frame and lots of athleticism.

I get it and he's a good kid, he's also very talented, so I hope you're right. I would be happy for him for sure. There are other NHL teams interested and if he wants to, he has a spot in the NCAA.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Who does he have the Habs taking

Last time I tried revealing, I got my message deleted by higher powers.

Let's just say they are pretty generic picks within the range.

 

[WinterLion]

I don't even recall him while watching any BU games.

He was the youngest kid in college... but yeah I think he was buried a bit... had a great U18's

 

[WinterLion]

We need a top 6 player with jam, fiestiness and small area skill around the net.

I like Potter but not with our 1sts. We can't have another small guy in that mix. We need another Slaf type. Caufield and Suzuki need Slaf.. but Demidov will need one, too.

Why not Zonnon? Might even end up playing C?

 

[WeThreeKings]

Why not Zonnon? Might even end up playing C?

2nd round, absolutely. Feet are too bad to consider at 16/17.

 

[Archijerej]

sounds like a job for Hugo to swap Laff for Mailloux + #17

Spending our assets while NOT addressing our positional needs is a perfect template for a failed rebuild.

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

Make sense. Which would you prefer, based on the premiss both of them would available to us by moving up?

Is Bear that much better than a Spence though? Who will be there at 17. To Give up another asset to move up plus injury risk.

 

[yianik]

Some comments are basically saying if we can draft a guy at 16/17 and we project him to be a top 4D, but we don't think he will bump one of our guys, don't draft him because what's the point.

Top 4D are valuable and at mid first that's a solid prospect. You trade a guy like that if it comes to it. There are some teams, like the Canes , that are constantly drafting and developing good players and then trading them to upgrade on a position. Always go BPA and if you want to fill a need trade up if you can to get that BPA /Need prospect. See Hage , excellent identification and execution. A C with legitimate top 6 potential at 21 is impressive and the price to move up was negligible.

 

[The Last Red]

Braeden Cootes. We need a high floor 3rd line center at this point. 16 or 17 is a good spot to get one.

 

[le_sean]

Braeden Cootes. We need a high floor 3rd line center at this point. 16 or 17 is a good spot to get one.

That’s what Beck is…

 

[Doublechin]

Braeden Cootes. We need a high floor 3rd line center at this point. 16 or 17 is a good spot to get one.

If you draft Cootesat 16-17, you're seeing upside as a 2C

 

[The Last Red]

If you draft Cootesat 16-17, you're seeing upside as a 2C

Not in this draft.

 

[WinterLion]

Is Bear that much better than a Spence though? Who will be there at 17. To Give up another asset to move up plus injury risk.

I get a feeling Spence might keep slipping...

But yeah I wouldn't want to give up too much to get Bear... I think there will be a comparable guy available. Bear is a very fun prospect and extremely likeable... but I do have some doubts with him (even though I love his game!!)

I would want a more sure thing if we have to give up much value

 

[Doublechin]

Not in this draft.

I've seen many drafts being labeled as medicore turn out way better than expected, I still target upside at 16-17 no matter what the draft label is, no difference here

 

[WinterLion]

That’s what Beck is…

and Kapanen? But I actually like Cootes and I think the team drafting him will think he can bring more offense and be a 2C. I don't think it's unrealistic. The nice thing with him is that his floor is very high... he should at least be a good 3C who plays some special teams.

 

[WinterLion]

2nd round, absolutely. Feet are too bad to consider at 16/17.

Yeah... not pretty... I kind of believe in him though...