Confirmed with Link: Canadiens Will Pick 5th (Hughes Presser in OP) NO POLITICS

[26Mats]

The thing about Michkov is that the whole Russian/Contract stuff takes up so much oxygen that many people come away thinking that it's the one and only problem when it's really not. So it's not about Michkov having a higher bust potential per se, Carlsson and Smith also have similar chance of ending up as low tier 1st liners/high end 2nd liners but that idea is accepted in the case of Carlsson/Smith but not in Michkov's and there's really no reason for it.

The KHL is the second best Men's league in the world, and Michkov is performing at a high level at such a young age, plus he killed the international junior tournaments a year ago at such a young age.

His bust probability is very low. He's a phenom like Austin Mathews, Jack Hughes, etc, if he's not in the same category as Bedard, McDavid, Crosby, and Ovechkin pre draft, he's close. He relates to Bedard as Malkin (2nd overall) did to Ovechkin (1st overall) in their draft year.

 

[Bombshell11]

Is Carlsson the second coming Gretzky?

Why are we giving up Michkov (likely and the second best player in this draft on talent) + 1st overall pick from last year + another 2023 first round pick + a high 2023 second round pick??

Because quality is better than quantity.

Carlsson will be one of the best Centers in the game in a few years and acquiring him then would cost a little more than 3 questionable prospects.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Just imagine Michkov developing under MSL. That’s it. That’s the post.

 

[McGees]

Brian Burke mentioned that the interview with Yakupov went horribly wrong and that they never considered drafting him (bad attitude, etc).

Not saying it’s the case with Michkov but for an org saying it wants to focus on player Dev no combine interview + no say in the player Dev for 3 years post-draft is an unpleasant unknown. Hopefully with their contacts they are able to dig around this even if he doesn’t go to the combine.

At 1:40

Apparently Reilly was also Bergys choice that year...Good thing Timmins talked him out of it.

 

[McGees]

Just imagine Michkov developing under MSL. That’s it. That’s the post.

MSL might be coaching the Lightning by the time he comes over.
That's it.
That's the post.

 

[Sterling Archer]

MSL might be coaching the Lightning by the time he comes over.
That's it.
That's the post.

Mitchkov might be a Lightning by the time he comes here, too.

 

[SwiftyHab]

MSL might be coaching the Lightning by the time he comes over.
That's it.
That's the post.

 

[Sorinth]

The KHL is the second best Men's league in the world, and Michkov is performing at a high level at such a young age, plus he killed the international junior tournaments a year ago at such a young age.

His bust probability is very low. He's a phenom like Austin Mathews, Jack Hughes, etc, if he's not in the same category as Bedard, McDavid, Crosby, and Ovechkin pre draft, he's close. He relates to Bedard as Malkin (2nd overall) did to Ovechkin (1st overall) in their draft year.

No doubt an opinion based on extensive viewings and not just stat watching right?

 

[Rapala]

No doubt an opinion based on extensive viewings and not just stat watching right?

What you don't have the KHL package?

 

[Jaynki]

Don’t forget they have TONS of information that we don’t avec access. Especially Bobrov in Michkov case..

If they pass on him (and CBJ/SJ too), there will be a reason why..

The thing is,

Fantilli and Carlsson and Smith are adding to the reasons to pass on Michkov.

When we are talking about lesser prospects, the reason become less and less to pass on him.

 

[26Mats]

No doubt an opinion based on extensive viewings and not just stat watching right?

In point of fact, all my opinions on prospects are based only a little bit on stat watching. They're really, in fact, almost entirely based on hearsay.

 

[ottawa]

Until I hear otherwise, I think San Jose takes michkov if Columbus takes Carlesson.

Columbus is 100% taking a center

 

[Jaynki]

Sure, but that's not really "busting" if he doesn't come over.

I say we pick Michkov and if he ends up the ONLY top prospect since the fall of the Soviet Union not to come over, let it be it.

Montreal HAS to take Michkov if he's available.

I'm in my late-30s and if they pass on him, I think that'll be the final nail in the coffin of my relationship with hockey in general. I suffered enough.

If we pick Michkov and he never comes, I'll be sad, but I'll respect the franchise's decision to risk it. It's the right call to bring us back to glory.

You will never read me criticize management & ownership over it. Never.

I'll defend them to my death.

Agree. Its been since 1980 that we had the chance to draft a talent like that.

The talent of the players, and the absolute luck you need to be able to draft a player of his stature justify in itself all of the risk associated with his selection.

And thats not factoring the fact that he wants to play in the NHL and that he will be present at the draft.

 

[BenchBrawl]

For me, there are three players I would be ecstatic about: Bedard, Michkov and Carlsson. The rest leaves me indifferent, including Fantilli.

Chicago will take Bedard, and Carlsson will never make it past Columbus. That leaves Michkov.

 

[themilosh]

I'm fine with any of the picks in the "Top 5", really will be happy (pros and cons to each).. My most stressful issue now is that we will end up picking off the board AT #5, and if that happens I will lose faith in Hugo (though so far he has proven perfect). I don't mind if they are targeting an off the board pick (at all) but I'll be damned if they take him at #5 and not trade down a few spots to gain an extra first (next year).

 

[26Mats]

Columbus is 100% taking a center

Yes, but it could be Carlesson, Smith (or Fantilli).

I'm fine with any of the picks in the "Top 5", really will be happy (pros and cons to each).. My most stressful issue now is that we will end up picking off the board AT #5, and if that happens I will lose faith in Hugo (though so far he has proven perfect). I don't mind if they are targeting an off the board pick (at all) but I'll be damned if they take him at #5 and not trade down a few spots to gain an extra first (next year).

Well if Mishkov ends up on the do not draft list and the others from the big 5 go 1 through 4, HuGo will have to take a player outside the big 5.

 

[McGees]

Ok CBJ taking Carlsson...So Now Sharks pick Smith I think.

 

[Jaynki]

The worst, it’s that the chances are bigger that Dvorsky stay a Center then Will Smith

Lol. I think its a possibility, albeit a low odds one. That CBJ chose Dvorsky at 3.

Dvorsky has been impressive in the J20 and obviously at U18, he carried Slovakia on his back.

His Allvenskan production is low but we can extract some context out of it.

Kekalainen is a crazy bastard and they like their tough, rugged, 200ft player there.

I would not be surprised if he is their pick.

McCagg is in love with Dvorksy and we all know he has a relation with Timmins. For what its worth. Also, for what its worth, for example, Fantilli will be 19 when the season stars. Dvorsky turn 19 two weeks before the 2024 NHL draft. He is very young. Thats an argument that made them Timmins and co favour KK over Tkachuk.

Is Timmins kind enough to draft Dvorsky at 3rd? Could you imagine the gift.

 

[BenchBrawl]

The dream scenario is if Anaheim takes Carlsson, and Columbus somehow prefers Smith to Fantilli.

Then San Jose picks Fantilli and we have Michkov on our hands.

 

[themilosh]

The dream scenario is if Anaheim takes Carlsson, and Columbus somehow prefers Smith to Fantilli.

Then San Jose picks Fantilli and we have Michkov on our hands.

dude - if youre going to dream, why not start with Chicago.. ?

 

[SnapVirus]

Michkov was better than Bedard in all competitiom they played against.

He is clear number two.

If I dont draft Bedard. He is definitely my number two. Way ahead of fantili, carlson and smith.

 

[SlafySZN]

Please don’t cuss me out for posting this but it’s for talking and exchange opinions purpose lol

This guy who watch prospects suggest in his opinion that some people put too much weight in Michkov’s play 2 years ago, he doesn’t think he evolved that much since.

 

[sampollock]

I say if at Habs pick Michkov is there, I bet caps try to trade up hard

 

[FrankMTL]

If drafted by Montreal, Michkov should just start a GoFundMe....He'd have the $600k from Habs fans in about 3 hrs.

 

[BenchBrawl]

The extremely likely scenario is this:

Chicago takes Bedard
Anaheim takes Fantilli
Columbus takes Carlsson

So it all boils down to San Jose and what they want.

If Michkov makes it to 5th, you HAVE to take him.