HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[JadedRandom]

I'd just pick Cootes and Reschny at 16 and 17 unless someone great falls

Grab some D in the 2nd round

It depends on who's left at 16/17, and also what projections our scouts have for the late first and second-round prospects.

I think 20-50 has some very interesting players available, but that it is generally forward-rich (e.g. Zharovsky [#35 on my final list], Nestrasil (#39) among others would in my opinion be better value at 41/49 vs. guys like Limatov [#44] or Trethewey [#47]).

Meaning that if we took a defenseman earlier in the first-round we might get a better value pick in the second-round by foregoing D in that situation and going F instead (or even G if we get a huge faller like Ravensbergen at 41/49).

It's all semantics though, and we'll have to wait for the Draft to happen to know which way the dominoes end up falling for us.

It could very well be that the forward available at 16/17 is too good to pass up vs. drafting a D first and then taking advantage of a forward-rich draft later on.

Possible trades muddy the water quite a bit too.

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

2025 NHL ESPN mock draft : here

I will be severely disappointed if we take Lakovic over Cootes, Spence or Reschny

 

[WeThreeKings]

Getting tired of any outlet and person who mocks Cameron Reid to us.

I can't think of a prospect we would want less.

Left shot offensive defenseman who is sub 6'0.

 

[koivalev]

Getting tired of any outlet and person who mocks Cameron Reid to us.

I can't think of a prospect we would want less.

Left shot offensive defenseman who is sub 6'0.

Anything past "left shot" is redundant tbh. That's not a position we should be drafting for the next 2 years.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

I will be severely disappointed if we take Lakovic over Cootes, Spence or Reschny

He has a legit top 10 skillset, on a 6ft4 frame. I know the narrative has been that he's soft, mostly disinterested and injury prone, but I've seen him play a very efficient cycle game and be an all around force on the ice during games. He's a good boom or bust development project at the very least, especially at that spot. I for one would jump at the opportunity to try to get him.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Is he related to Kent? Looks just like him

Am I crazy

 

[WeThreeKings]

Anything past "left shot" is redundant tbh. That's not a position we should be drafting for the next 2 years.

I have no problem picking one after round 1.. but with your high value picks in round 1, I can't think of a guy who is less needed than Reid.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

I have no problem picking one after round 1.. but with your high value picks in round 1, I can't think of a guy who is less needed than Reid.

He's a decent prospect, he's just kinda bland and his toolbox is average at best. Reminds me of Cam York a lot, for whatever reason.

 

[le_sean]

I have no problem picking one after round 1.. but with your high value picks in round 1, I can't think of a guy who is less needed than Reid.

I would understand Jackson Smith but not Reid.

 

[WeThreeKings]

He's a decent prospect, he's just kinda bland and his toolbox is average at best. Reminds me of Cam York a lot, for whatever reason.

I got him at 32 so just barely in my first round. I think it's a reach on talent but totally nonsensical for the Habs. If we are stuck picking, it's gonna be RD, C or wingers with edge.

 

[Whitesnake]

Question is...how do Wheeler knows that we like Reid a lot? I think Reid does have really great skills.....but as much as everybody knows I'm not a need fan....lefty 6 feet? This won't go well if that happens.

I do think though that his IQ is really high, that despite that size factor, stick work is very good. Skills and Skating..close to elite.

here's the thing though for the ones who won't want him...if the draft really goes the way Wheeler thinks it's going....Reid is not that far off what's left. If you remove, everybody that goes before us....it leaves us Reid, Carbo, Reschny, Hensler, Spence, Nesbitt, Boumedienne, Fiddler, Prokhorov, Ravensbergen, Gastrin, Zonnon, Putter, Bruz, Vensaghi, Ryabkin, Murtagh....

So...might as well find a way to move up then...

 

[WeThreeKings]

Question is...how do Wheeler knows that we like Reid a lot? I think Reid does have really great skills.....but as much as everybody knows I'm not a need fan....lefty 6 feet? This won't go well if that happens.

I do think though that his IQ is really high, that despite that size factor, stick work is very good. Skills and Skating..close to elite.

here's the thing though for the ones who won't want him...if the draft really goes the way Wheeler thinks it's going....Reid is not that far off what's left. If you remove, everybody that goes before us....it leaves us Reid, Carbo, Reschny, Hensler, Spence, Nesbitt, Boumedienne, Fiddler, Prokhorov, Ravensbergen, Gastrin, Zonnon, Putter, Bruz, Vensaghi, Ryabkin, Murtagh....

So...might as well find a way to move up then...

Cootes goes next. So he's the easy swap there.. and I bolded other guys that make a ton more sense than Reid.

I think Wheeler is just projecting the type of LDs they've drafted in the past. I've heard nothing from anyone BUT him connecting us to Reid. Pronman has done it a few times in his mocks but I think it's sloppy.

 

[Whitesnake]

Cootes goes next. So he's the easy swap there.. and I bolded other guys that make a ton more sense than Reid.

I think Wheeler is just projecting the type of LDs they've drafted in the past. I've heard nothing from anyone BUT him connecting us to Reid. Pronman has done it a few times in his mocks but I think it's sloppy.

Here's the thing though....the same reason we might not pick Reid might be the same reason we might not pick Cootes. Size. And while I TOTALLY agree that I will have Cootes ahead of Reid when all is said and done, I hope that the need factor does not make you miss a No2 C....As far as Hensler....I will say that the only thing he has is position and size. But insanely enough, I don't think he's better defender than Reid. And clearly nothing close to Reid's offense.

Carbo for me is right up there for our picks for sure. Nesbitt is intriguing...I need more viewings. Fiddler....this is the most intriguing player in there...no idea where to put him yet..lol. Spence...3rd line for me. Reschny.....talented...but tiny...I prefer Cootes there.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Here's the thing though....the same reason we might not pick Reid might be the same reason we might not pick Cootes. Size. And while I TOTALLY agree that I will have Cootes ahead of Reid when all is said and done, I hope that the need factor does not make you miss a No2 C....As far as Hensler....I will say that the only thing he has is position and size. But insanely enough, I don't think he's better defender than Reid. And clearly nothing close to Reid's offense.

Carbo for me is right up there for our picks for sure. Nesbitt is intriguing...I need more viewings. Fiddler....this is the most intriguing player in there...no idea where to put him yet..lol. Spence...3rd line for me. Reschny.....talented...but tiny...I prefer Cootes there.

Cootes measured at 6', so not unreasonable that he ends up close to 6'1 and he has a frame that can take a lot of muscle. Plus the fact that he's a top agitator, already plays a physical style, scores and makes plays in between the dots. I don't think he would not be picked due to his size.

I'm not as big of a fan of Hensler but if I am picking between the two, it makes way more sense to take the bigger, right shot guy who is profiling as a similar type of defenseman at the NHL level.

 

[DemidovSZN]

Cootes goes next. So he's the easy swap there.. and I bolded other guys that make a ton more sense than Reid.

I think Wheeler is just projecting the type of LDs they've drafted in the past. I've heard nothing from anyone BUT him connecting us to Reid. Pronman has done it a few times in his mocks but I think it's sloppy.

Basu also did in his article.

But pretty much every player he named, came from them saying they had interviews or meeting with the habs and that they thought they liked them lol.

What I heard and saw from the Canadiens at the NHL scouting combine

The Canadiens are in a crowded market of teams looking to trade picks for immediate help and may be forced to use their picks instead.

www.nytimes.com

 

[TheBuriedHab]

They really liked Buium last year too. After what Lane proved this year though, I really wouldn't take a similar player but I guess they don't seem to care.

I still think of that US U-20 team with all those undersized defenseman that dominated with Hutson, Buium, Casey, Polkhamp and Chelsey. The Oilers this year have loaded up on offensive defenseman and are kind of dominating too. Maybe that's where the Habs see the NHL going, idk.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Basu also did in his article.

But pretty much every player he named, came from them saying they had interviews or meeting with the habs and that they thought they liked them lol.

What I heard and saw from the Canadiens at the NHL scouting combine

The Canadiens are in a crowded market of teams looking to trade picks for immediate help and may be forced to use their picks instead.

www.nytimes.com

Hadn't seen that article yet.. pretty much only Bear in that group is of interest to me.

 

[koivalev]

They really liked Buium last year too. After what Lane proved this year though, I really wouldn't take a similar player but I guess they don't seem to care.

I still think of that US U-20 team with all those undersized defenseman that dominated with Hutson, Buium, Casey, Polkhamp and Chelsey. The Oilers this year have loaded up on offensive defenseman and are kind of dominating too. Maybe that's where the Habs see the NHL going, idk.

I'd disagree about not wanting a similar player to Hutson on the team. I'd have 3 Hutsons if I could, he dominates when he's out there.

 

[Whitesnake]

Basu also did in his article.

But pretty much every player he named, came from them saying they had interviews or meeting with the habs and that they thought they liked them lol.

What I heard and saw from the Canadiens at the NHL scouting combine

The Canadiens are in a crowded market of teams looking to trade picks for immediate help and may be forced to use their picks instead.

www.nytimes.com

It makes sense that a 2-way offensively gifted and great with his stick be interesting for a lot of teams. BUT....it's true that the closest we are to being relevant...the closest you do have to take into account the shape of your team. Smaller, thinner, LD......as far as this present moment...people will not like it.

Not saying he won't pay out after....I repeat...I'm pretty high on the kid on talent alone. If the kid is 2 inches taller....there's no question. 2 inches. Though insane as it looks, 2 inches might not make him available at 16 either. But for whoever watches Forsling play at 6'1''....Though, Reid, right now, is not as relentless as Forsling is.

 

[Whitesnake]

If Mailloux moves, you can book what you want that we pick Hensler with one of our 2 picks.

 

[WeThreeKings]

It makes sense that a 2-way offensively gifted and great with his stick be interesting for a lot of teams. BUT....it's true that the closest we are to being relevant...the closest you do have to take into account the shape of your team. Smaller, thinner, LD......as far as this present moment...people will not like it.

Not saying he won't pay out after....I repeat...I'm pretty high on the kid on talent alone. If the kid is 2 inches taller....there's no question. 2 inches. Though insane as it looks, 2 inches might not make him available at 16 either. But for whoever watches Forsling play at 6'1''....Though, Reid, right now, is not as relentless as Forsling is.

Even if he had 2 inches, I wouldn't move him on my list. He's very vanilla both offensive and defensively. It's just left shot Justin Barron with a better brain.

 

[skidcells]

If Mailloux moves, you can book what you want that we pick Hensler with one of our 2 picks.

I prefer Fiddler to Hensler. If they do go that road I hope it’s Fiddler. Frankly I prefer Henry Brzustewicz above them all. So I would move down if we really just want a RHD

​

 

[Whitesnake]

I prefer Fiddler to Hensler. If they do go that road I hope it’s Fiddler. Frankly I prefer Henry Brzustewicz above them all. So I would move down if we really just want a RHD

​

I,m clearly not a fan of Hensler. 1st round maybe...but when @WeThreeKings talk about vanilla, that's what I think of Hensler as well. So Fiddler. And sure with Bruz as well.

 

[tooji]

Not a big Hensler fan either. He really doesn’t give me a lot of confidence as a player.

 

[Shutdown]

haven't watched any Hensler or Brzustewicz but Fiddler to me has Jared Tinordi brain. don't love him.