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

[Michoulicious]

We're not deep at the RD position. If Reinbacher is truly that #1 RD it wouldn't be a bad thing. I'm not saying that's what they will do, I'm just talking possibilities about that poster's idea. I personally want Michkov but I doubt he will be available. With Suzuki and Dach at center and with Beck coming up, why do we need Smith?

Dach is not 100% surefire C. Needs to win some faceoffs at somepoint.

Not sure Beck will be more than a bottom 6er.

Suzuki is top 6 C that probably will top out around PPG, which is awesome.

You never have too many high end C prospects.

Like I said earlier, many people here over estimate greatly the gap in the Cs after Bedard in the top 5. To me, there is not that a great difference between them, and while I have Fantilli slightly ahead because of what he has done in college, Smith/Carlsson is really close for me.

I know it's not a popular opinion, but I personally prefer Smith to Carlsson because I'm a sucker for great offensive talent. I think Smith is the most "talented" offensive player in this draft after Michkov/Bedard. Carlsson/Fantilli are more sure things because of their physical tools/compete/etc., but I see some Zegras in Smith, and Zegras is the player I love the most to watch in the NHL after McDavid.

Looks like I'm not alone because many NHL scouts have Smith over Carlsson according to Bob McKenzie.

For me:

Bedard
Michkov

--- big gap ---

Fantilli
Smith
Carlsson

--- big gap ---

ASP
Leonard
Dvorsky
Benson
etc in basically the same tier

 

[Beer and Chips]

Same can be said of Cooley in Minnesota.

Smith/Perreault broke records this year in the program. He has almost 3 ppg in U18.

Gotta give credit at some points. He's an elite prospect, and it's no slight on Cooley to prefer Smith for his offensive upside.

He is talented but I would be more impressed if the stats came on an average team.

 

[Michoulicious]

He is talented but I would be more impressed if the stats came on an average team.

Yeah, but it's not his fault he is in the program lol

Expect to say the same thing next year in BC because that team will be strong with that big 3, Cutter Gauthier coming back...

That line of freshmen is expected to destroy the NCAA.

 

[yianik]

Has a Russian player ever been held back from playing in the NHL? I don’t think there’s been a single instance.


The top 5 in this draft would have all gone 1st overall last year. If Cooley was drafted at 3, the value isn’t there for me.

If we take any of the top 5, I tend to agree. But if we are passing on Michkov and looking at Reinbacher, Leonard etc ,maybe Cooley is better.

Can’t say that thought hasn’t crossed my mind….not sure what I’d do TBH - would need to reevaluate based on who’s available @ 5OA

I'm thinking if we are passing on the top 5 or Smith isn't ideal.

I think Smith has more upside offensively bit Cooley might be a bit more polished overall bit why would Phoenix entertain this? Unless they go Smith at 5, Leonard at 6 and Perreault at 12. Can't blame them if that's the plan.

Well then Smith would be fine, but if he is gone , and we aren't taking Michkov. Yotes because Cooley seems to be unhappy about their chaos.

 

[Hacketts]

Focus on his passing and stick handling in tight and how he processes solutions to hit guys in the most favourable offensive positions. He does it over and over, game after game. No one else can do that.

He also has an unstoppable thirst to score. The downside is it still does affect his two-way play.

okay... lol.

 

[Kennerback]

Michkov is superior but Smith can do things with his stick that Fantilli couldn’t dream of.

 

[yianik]

No just take Smith.

What if no Smith and we are DND on Michkov ?

 

[Michoulicious]

What if no Smith and we are DND on Michkov ?

Then if you're Molson you fire Hughes and Gorton and you draft Michkov.

 

[yianik]

Smith plays with a stacked line on a stacked team, pretty easy to get points, no?

I really am nit able
Y

Smith plays with a stacked line on a stacked team, pretty easy to get points, no?
[/QUOTE

I really don't have the eye to judge who does the heavy lifting.

 

[26Mats]

Do your homework (if you haven’t already), compare all 3. Leonard and Perrault are outstanding but Smith is the offensive brain on that line.


I prefer Cooley’s two way play, his knowledge of the center position, his skating and speed, everything else (includind stickhandling), Smith is superior.

Cooley's also a 5'10 center. It remains to he seen how he handles two way play.

 

[ReHabs]

Cooley's also a 5'10 center. It remains to he seen how he handles two way play.

I’d love for once to worry about one-way play (offence). Just once, just one player.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

What if no Smith and we are DND on Michkov ?

Michkov won't be there. He's going top 4.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I’d love for once to worry about one-way play (offence). Just once, just one player.

Caufield.

 

[ReHabs]

Caufield.

Okay, two players

 

[WeThreeKings]

Michkov won't be there. He's going top 4.

I'm still very skeptical. I wouldn't be this confident in saying that.

 

[Andrei79]

Michkov won't be there. He's going top 4.

Curiously, why are you that confident ? Billion dollar franchises don't like uncertainty.

 

[Habs]

Definitely not rebuilding but the only contract that is on the books after next season that is 30+ and not worth his current aav is OEL and his buyout is extremely team friendly.

Myers is owed 1 million on an expiring deal.
Garland is 2 years at 4ish milllion.
Brock is part of the core and while overpaid, its two years and he's at worst a 60 point guy over 82.
Canucks have a ton off the books next year in dead cap and with the cap increasing it beccomes less of an issue.
The thing that people ignore is there is a good chance we have 10+ million to spend with everyone already signed once Myers and one of Garland or Beauvillier is moved it very well probably costs a 2nd to unload my Myers and the return on Garland wont be worth what his value but it wont cost anywhere near a 1st. In fact theres rumblings the team might try to trade down.

Our owner is greasy, no doubt but the team despite high ticket prices and 7 years of losing is still the 7th most profitable club in the league and the owner quite literally is willing to absorb any financial cost like paying 3 coaches at once and provides everything for his players.
As a season ticket holder, I've experienced nothing like what you describe.

Some people also had enjoyable meals with Jeff Dahmer, so to each their own. We have club seats, the butthurt is real.

 

[26Mats]

I’d love for once to worry about one-way play (offence). Just once, just one player.

Center has to be good in both ends. There aren't too many 5'10 centers that are. But they can often do well on the wing.

 

[Kennerback]

Michkov won't be there. He's going top 4.

I’ve just been binge watching Smith, and SJ would be getting a hell of a player. I’m not convinced they’re not going Smith.

 

[Runner77]

Has a Russian player ever been held back from playing in the NHL? I don’t think there’s been a single instance.

Players from the Siviet era were denied exit visas.

There was notably Tretiak:

Tretiak was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League's (NHL's) 1983 entry draft. The Soviet Ice Hockey Federation, however, refused to grant his release, and Tretiak never played in the NHL

 

[yianik]

Michkov won't be there. He's going top 4.

I will say I hope so, if we won't take the guy. At this point I would be furious at not taking him so if he is already gone that solves that. We take Smith.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Michkov won't be there. He's going top 4.

Smith is a good consolation prize. What matters is that we land a strong impact player. Any of those four will be great.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Curiously, why are you that confident ? Billion dollar franchises don't like uncertainty.

San Jose just seems all in on Russian players. They traded for 2 from New Jersey in the Meier trade, and signed a bunch more. Michkov fits well within their rebuild timeline. He'll also be a superstar who will bring fans in, put them on a national stage & make them tons of money. Smith is a really good player, but Michkov is better.

Michkov knows he'll make more money in the US then he ever could in Russia.

The "can't be signed" threat is ridiculous. He can be signed to an ELC right after being drafted. The first 2 years slide as a U20 then he gets loaned to KHL for his 3rd year there, and comes over after that season with 2 years left on his ELC.

On top of that there's been more than a dozen Russian players signed this off-season.

Toronto just signed their 6th round pick from 2021 goaltender Vyacheslav Peksa, without controversy.

It's just Montreal fans who feel the need to agonize over this shit. This isn't apparent in other Fan groups.

 

[sampollock]

habs will have no chance at the little russian SJ pick

love to get either

Smith
Carlsson

Carlsson would have to be a trade up to pick #3

 

[sheed36]

What if no Smith and we are DND on Michkov ?

In that case I'd be talking to teams drafting between 6th and 9th (I wouldn't trade back any further than 9th) to see if they want to move up to 5th for Michkov.

The Habs would drop back 1-4 spots, get an additional potential decent pick or a good prospect included instead of the pick and still get a very good player in one of Leonard, Dvorsky, Benson, Reinbacher, or anyone else they may like on the board.

If however they can't make a trade to fall back and they do intend to pass on Michkov (I really hope not though) I'd just take Leonard @ 5. He looks to have a really nice skillset with a high motor and plays a hard nosed in your face game which teams need at playoff time.