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

[Runner77]

I watched an interview with him immediately after the lottery and he seemed pretty positive about Michkov, and didn't seem too concerned about his contract, so maybe he's walking it back.

Also, the Athletic is doing a lot of speaking for Grier in the above article. He's being really general in his statements, and they're completely reinterpreting that in a negative light for Michkov.

How much trust do we really want to put into pre-draft commentary by hockey executives? What interest do they have in being transparent about their drafting intentions unless it’s a very early pick and the options are shoo-ins?

Have you ever seen a year where hockey executives did not spread misinformation pre-draft in an attempt to gain leverage on counterparts? Why would this year be any different?

 

[Schooner Guy]

It depends on how founded these other rumors might be about Michkov. It goes beyond a “Russian factor” — it’s nebulous what Michkov’s commitment to staying in Russia might be. I don’t think talent will be the deciding factor if a team determines that there is a 5 year waiting period that is within the realm of the possible.

Not every team is willing to wait so long, hence the theory about teams picking later willing to take that risk.

It’s great that he’s showing up at the draft but he’s missing the combine. He could have at least done interviews. Not the best decision given the uncertainty surrounding him.

I've been busy in recent weeks and hadn't realized he's missing the Combine. Higher authorities might be heavily influencing that decision.

Another thing with this new Habs regime is they are very hands-on in terms of overseeing their prospects development, training etc. Whatever team drafts Michkov won't have any grip on this.

 

[NORiculous]

Even if the Habs want Michkov I would trade the 5th pick to Arizona for Cooley but Arizona would never do that.

There's no way they're trading Cooley for Michkov especially when they draft one spot after the Habs. Most teams would rather have Cooley than Smith and Smith may go before Michkov.

It was based on the fact that Cooley doesn’t look enthusiastic with Arz and that he can even take the Adam Fox road.

He annonced he wasn’t going to play for Arz next year, right after Kelley’s dad asked players not to show up at camp.

So it’s more complicated then that in Arz and I think there is an opportunity there if the Habs don’t want to draft Michkov.

Habs will surely not be the only ones at the party but still, Habs have a lot of interesting pieces they can trade for guys like that.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

How much trust do we really want to put into pre-draft commentary by hockey executives? What interest do they have in being transparent about their drafting intentions unless it’s a very early pick and the options are shoo-ins?

Have you ever seen a year where hockey executives did not spread misinformation pre-draft in an attempt to gain leverage on counterparts? Why would this year be any different?

Well, Grier is a new G.M, so someone probably told him he needs to get a lot more vague with his comments. Lol

 

[Runner77]

I've been busy in recent weeks and hadn't realized he's missing the Combine. Higher authorities might be heavily influencing that decision.

Another thing with this new Habs regime is they are very hands-on in terms of overseeing their prospects development, training etc. Whatever team drafts Michkov won't have any grip on this.

If no team has any grip on the situation, then at what point does the risk become palatable? How much risk is tolerable with such an early pick?

 

[sampollock]

Any player that gets picked or traded to Arizona must want to just run the other way what a failure franchise

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

I watched an interview with him immediately after the lottery and he seemed pretty positive about Michkov, and didn't seem too concerned about his contract, so maybe he's walking it back.

Also, the Athletic is doing a lot of speaking for Grier in the above article. He's being really general in his statements, and they're completely reinterpreting that in a negative light for Michkov.

The stuffs said by Grier on that article comes from the post lottery interview

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/.amp/analysis/sharks-mike-grier-offseason-plans

 

[MarkovsKnee]

The stuffs said by Grier on that article comes from the post lottery interview

View attachment 712015

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/.amp/analysis/sharks-mike-grier-offseason-plans

Ok, so?

 

[Sterling Archer]

Interesting, did not know that. It’s hypocritical cause he can attend the draft and be eligible to be drafted.

But somehow, the combine, a lesser event than the other two but still significant for teams’ intel, is objectionable.

Makes zero sense.


You want reputable sources out of Russia? Whose life should be risked to achieve that end? What we’re hearing now is likely as good as it’s going to get until the geopolitical situation has resolved itself.

Like Kaprizov did it actually is more financially profitable for him.

As for reputable source, not saying it will happen , I’m pretty sure that rumor was based on Kravtsov signing a 2-yr deal and not Michkov.

Lots of unknowns, I’m assuming Michkov will be around for the entire pre draft day period to go thorough interview process.

There have been too many BS reports about Michkov. I’d hope the Habs would get better information then any of us. All that doesn’t change the fact Michkov is a top 2 pick in THIS draft and a top pick in most other drafts based on his talent alone. If he does drop to 5, Habs are not in a position to pass and get a much lower tier player. They simply do not have any elite level players while true contenders have several.

 

[Schooner Guy]

If no team has any grip on the situation, then at what point does the risk become palatable? How much risk is tolerable with such an early pick?

Every team has different risk tolerance levels.

One thing that isn't getting talked about here is that he has slipped throughout the season down to #5 in Bobby Mac's latest poll of scouts. He was #2 in the pre-season edition. Most scouts are instructed to provide their input solely from a hockey perspective and the GM would make a decision based on the political situation. Also the political situation was the same during Bob's pre-season rankings in September so there has certainly been a shift in perception among NHL teams. He might fall below #5 in the end of season rankings after scouting teams have their Combine meetings.

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Been watching highlights and whatnot and my armchair scouting is liking Leonard more and more. Benson is impressive but his size scares me but oozes skill.

Michkov of course is the pick if still there and the intel is positive but like Leonard. US development has been great as well so a nice base

 

[Runner77]

There have been too many BS reports about Michkov. I’d hope the Habs would get better information then any of us. All that doesn’t change the fact Michkov is a top 2 pick in THIS draft and a top pick in most other drafts based on his talent alone. If he does drop to 5, Habs are not in a position to pass and get a much lower tier player. They simply do not have any elite level players while true contenders have several.

If Michkov is truly a top 2 pick, shouldn’t Anaheim or CBJ take him? But no, they’re settling for lesser talents instead.

 

[The Great Weal]

I'm fully expecting the pick to be Reinbacher.

 

[Rapala]

How much trust do we really want to put into pre-draft commentary by hockey executives? What interest do they have in being transparent about their drafting intentions unless it’s a very early pick and the options are shoo-ins?

Have you ever seen a year where hockey executives did not spread misinformation pre-draft in an attempt to gain leverage on counterparts? Why would this year be any different?

Yes Sir there is only one wildcard in the deck for those first four spots and nothing anyone says can change it. I still don't see that top three changing at all. People can speculate all they want about Michkov's top end but the reality is there are less unknowns with Fantilli and Carlsson and both those players would win the tie scenario Hughes brought up. What Grier does is the only thing that can affect us. I'm already getting weary of the arguments for this player or for that player. Such a shame we weren't shameless tankers.

 

[Schooner Guy]

There have been too many BS reports about Michkov. I’d hope the Habs would get better information then any of us. All that doesn’t change the fact Michkov is a top 2 pick in THIS draft and a top pick in most other drafts based on his talent alone. If he does drop to 5, Habs are not in a position to pass and get a much lower tier player. They simply do not have any elite level players while true contenders have several.

Funny that he's #5 on Bob McKenzie's poll of NHL scouts.

 

[ZUKI]

It's worth waiting till the '26 - '27 to have Michkov. If we can be patient we will be getting a superstar. All good things come to those who wait. What's the rush?

I AGREE !

I am 63 years old and for 30 years , I am waiting to get a beautiful dark hairs girlfriend of 20-25 years old. I am sure she's going to be amazing and that i won't regret all those years i 've lost waiting for her.

 

[ZUKI]

Interesting, did not know that. It’s hypocritical cause he can attend the draft and be eligible to be drafted.

But somehow, the combine, a lesser event than the other two but still significant for teams’ intel, is objectionable.

Makes zero sense.

It's because Bettman wants his photography with all the beautiful young boys of the draft first round . They are soooo cute ...

 

[Kennerback]

If Michkov is truly a top 2 pick, shouldn’t Anaheim or CBJ take him? But no, they’re settling for lesser talents instead.

I wouldn’t take Michkov if I was Anaheim or CBJ. Those two teams get two super players that they can have now with no risks Involved. Michkov who is a better player than Fantilli IMO has a risk component.

However I pick Michkov ahead of Kale Carlsson and Ondrej Molnar because his 15 year old self would be skating circles around them today. I hope you would make the same decision. There is a massive talent gap there. No risk could justify picking either in the 3rd+ round over Michkov.

Now how much of a risk are you willing to take? Michkov or the 35th BPA on your list? 25th? 10th? I could probably live with myself until 4OA? I couldn’t at 5OA. At that point, the players available have baked in serious question marks about how their hockey skills project in the NHL. It becomes a risk inherent to hockey skills vs a contractual/geopolitical risk with as much of a sure thing you can get hockey wise in any draft.

​

 

[JeffreyLFC]

There's no way they're trading Cooley for Michkov especially when they draft one spot after the Habs. Most teams would rather have Cooley than Smith and Smith may go before Michkov.

5th overall for Cooley is not that crazy if:
- Will Smith is still on the board
- Cooley has received from Arizona an offer and do not want to sign it and refuse to commit.
- Arizona really like USNTDP line of Smith, Leonard and Perreault

Why? Arizona would have the 5th, 6th and 12th overall and that would almost guarantee them to draft the full line of Smith, Leonard, Perreault.

As much as we can speculate on the Coyotes situation. I am sure all 3 of them would love yo be drafted and play with the same organisation. Heck they are even going to play to the same college next year.

 

[Runner77]

I wouldn’t take Michkov if I was Anaheim or CBJ. Those two teams get two super players that they can have now with no risks Involved. Michkov who is a better player than Fantilli IMO has a risk component.

However I pick Michkov ahead of Kale Carlsson and Ondrej Molnar because his 15 year old self would be skating circles around them today. I hope you would make the same decision. There is a massive talent gap there. No risk could justify picking either in the 3rd+ round over Michkov.

Now how much of a risk are you willing to take? Michkov or the 35th BPA on your list? 25th? 10th? I could probably live with myself until 4OA? I couldn’t at 5OA. At that point, the players available have baked in serious question marks about how their hockey skills project in the NHL. It becomes a risk inherent to hockey skills vs a contractual/geopolitical risk with as much of a sure thing you can get hockey wise in any draft.

​

I don’t like high risks with early picks. I would explore trading the pick.

 

[No More Subban]

Been watching highlights and whatnot and my armchair scouting is liking Leonard more and more. Benson is impressive but his size scares me but oozes skill.

Michkov of course is the pick if still there and the intel is positive but like Leonard. US development has been great as well so a nice base

im good with michkov, leonard but benson is my pick. im done obsessing with size. if you have that dog mentality, you're my guy. we need guys like that once we make the playoffs. motor, skills, iq, work ethic is already there.

 

[themilosh]

I don’t like high risks with early picks. I would explore trading the pick.

Agreed. I think the team should target either Reinbacher or Peliika at #8.. trade #5 to Washington for 8th & 40th.
That gives us: 8th (D), 29th (F), 37th (G Hrabel), 40th (BPA homerun swing).

I'd also consider trading CC + Anderson for Kakko & Lafreniere to the NYR.

And/or our 27th + Dvorak for PLD.

What a dream top 9: big, hulking, fast.

Suzuki - PLD - Kakko
Laff - Dach - Slaf
Heinemenn- Money - Ylonen
Speed - Speed - Speed

 

[Riggins]

Funny that he's #5 on Bob McKenzie's poll of NHL scouts.

If he was in NA he would be #2 or 3 at worst. That ranking is obviously affected by his passport and contract situation.

 

[BenchBrawl]

June 28th, and to some extent Slafkovsky's development curve, will define the next era.

If this era fails again, Les Canadiens de Montréal will only remain a souvenir of glory, among the ageing GenX-Early Millenials who were old enough to remember 1993 and maybe 1986, and especially the subconscious residual zeitgeist from their parents and grandparents from the glorious 1944-1979 era. After that, it'll be total darkness. The complete erasure of a cultural phenomenon, of a mystic surrounding this city.

A grave turn of event for our people.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Montréal, we were the greatest.

The young must believe in that again.