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

[Jaynki]

So for you, 2 x free buy out, a 3rd OA , draft selection a 30 years old Plekanec , is a part of a good

Yes

2 free buy out

A 3rd overall selection

25YO Price
23YO Subban and Pacioretty
33YO Markov
30YO Plekanec
Rookie Gallagher

To a lesser extent, the team also had Gionta, Eller.

Which GM inherited that? Holy shit. Thats a Stanley cup core given on a silver platter.

All he had to do was take some ''risk'' and add to that core. He sat on his ass and failed almost a decade of 1st RD pick instead. So yeah, he has only one bad trade in a decade but thats about it.

 

[417]

It is a hell of a risk, on the other hand guys like Leonard or Benson bust every year. That's a risk too.

Right? that's why I keep saying part of me hopes one of the Ducks/Blue Jackets/Sharks make that decision obsolete because it's a hell of a tough call and not as clear cut as the talent level suggests it should be.

 

[David Suzuki]

Ffs guys, Eric Lindros was an absolute beast and a pleasure to watch.. he was the victim of headhunter Stevens, of whom would be suspended for 40 games for that type of play today. If CC got hit with the same veracity as Lindros i honestly think he'd be a paraplegic

caufield wouldn’t get hit that way because he’s smart enough to not get hit that way

 

[417]

You don’t think Michkov Will go top10?

I think, based on nothing but a hunch, that the earliest he'll go is 8th to the Caps.

Russians drafted last year, with half the talent and hype of Michkov, are already signed.

There were no Russian-based players drafted (Mintyukov played in the OHL) in the top 19 picks last year.

Picking a guy you're not sure when/if he will come over in the top 5-10 vs picking him in the later in the draft, are two entirely different things.

What’s the “hell of a risk”, exactly?

whether you or even me, believe it's risky or not is irrelevant. You or I aren't making a decision that involves risking multi-millions of dollars. It's easy for us to say to pick the talent but it's a whole other situation for those in charge given the current political climate, that's a real factor and the decision isn't as simple as "Oh this guy is the 2nd most talented guy after Bedard, draft him".

If it was, he would be as solidified at #2 as Bedard is at #1 but he's not.

 

[Gillings]

So is Joe Pavelski. Oh, wait a minute . . . Nevermind. I aslo recall CC being pretty effective two years ago in his only playoff run to date, as a 20 year old rookie no less. I understand that Pavelski also scores from the dirty areas, and that's something that CC will have to incorporate more into his game as he gets more experienced but to trade such a lethal shooter is just nuts.

Cole DOES score from anywhere and including the dirty areas. I’ve seen a lot of his goals scored right in close. Watch his junior career, a lot of his goals were from in tight, rebounds etc. he’s a keeper

 

[Retired]

caufield wouldn’t get hit that way because he’s smart enough to not get hit that way

Ooof some head hunters are amazing at disappearing for a sec behind the net or a player (often their D partner).

I remember at least a play where Coco cut middle and I held my breath.

 

[ReHabs]

I think, based on nothing but a hunch, that the earliest he'll go is 8th to the Caps.

There were no Russian-based players drafted (Mintyukov played in the OHL) in the top 19 picks last year.

Picking a guy you're not sure when/if he will come over in the top 5-10 vs picking him in the later in the draft, are two entirely different things.

whether you or even me, believe it's risky or not is irrelevant. You or I aren't making a decision that involves risking multi-millions of dollars. It's easy for us to say to pick the talent but it's a whole other situation for those in charge given the current political climate, that's a real factor and the decision isn't as simple as "Oh this guy is the 2nd most talented guy after Bedard, draft him".

If it was, he would be as solidified at #2 as Bedard is at #1 but he's not.

So do you think he will go top10 or not?

It would be really shocking to see him slide out of the top10.

I make big decisions often enough, I won’t pretend that “multi-million dollar” decisions aren’t done flippantly (sometimes irresponsibly) because we both know that’s that true

 

[Angler]

I have an honest question, when is the last time a top end Russian prospect decided to stay in the KHL for his career? I am not talking about a fringe NHLer, I am talking about top end talent.

I'm not sure I see the "huge risk" that others see. I understand that any team who picks him will have to wait 3 years to see him in the NHL, but I don't believe for a second that he will opt to stay in Russia if he has the top end talent that he appears to have.

 

[sandviper]

So do you think he will go top10 or not?

It would be really shocking to see him slide out of the top10.

I make big decisions often enough, I won’t pretend that “multi-million dollar” decisions aren’t done flippantly (sometimes irresponsibly) because we both know that’s that not true

He mentioned #8, which in my opinion is what I think also. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think we're picking him at #5 if available.

However, I've mentioned it before. In Michkov's case, I'm not particularly worried about him NOT coming if he's drafter by a big market club. If we draft him, I'm sure he'll come here at the end of his contract. If he drops and say Arizona takes him, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he takes his time.

 

[NORiculous]

Habs aren't taking Michkov because of the risk, etc.

Michkov does have more risk but the rewards far outweigh that.

Saying his dream is to play in the NHL and being present at the draft are very very good signs.

Unless Bobrov can figure out that Michkov is lying and all he wants is to be drafted as high as possible in order to use that and cash in in KHL (seems highly unlikely) I don’t see a good enough reason not to draft him at 5.

Risking Reinbacher (taking Michkov is risking the other guy you would take) isn’t that big of a deal because the guy that will replace Reinbacher isn’t/won’t be that far off.

But if Michkov comes over, the pay day is UNPARALLELED.

Guys like that go 1st overall in almost ANY draft. You can’t pass that for the « small » risk envolved.

I think Hughes is going to pick Michkov because the drop off actually reduces the risk on Michkov.

But out of the other players you name, Benson was seen as a top player before sliding a bit. It would probably go down to the interview. But in any case, top 5 guys are the top 5 guys. Don’t unsmart yourself Hughes!!!

 

[417]

So do you think he will go top10 or not?

Maybe lol

Real talk, I wrote what I think...I think he's going to fall out of the top 10, however, if he does go in the top 10, I think 8th to the Caps is the earliest he'll go.

It would be really shocking to see him slide out of the top10.

Not really. It's a volatile situation.

I make big decisions often enough, I won’t pretend that “multi-million dollar” decisions aren’t done flippantly (sometimes irresponsibly) because we both know that’s that true

Fair...i'm going to hazard a guess that when you're making big decisions that involve multi millions of dollars, decisions for which you'll be held accountable for, you're not so flippant.

But you're right, maybe it is the case for some.

 

[JoelWarlord]

It’s a bit obnoxious to throw this out in the air, don’t you think?

Michkov does have more risk but the rewards far outweigh that.

Not to speak on someone else's behalf but I read that as WTK just outlining a possible scenario in which Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Smith are the top four picks and then the Habs decide to pass on Michkov.

I don't think he was saying that they will or should pass on him, it looks like he was just laying out a scenario and giving his opinion on who to pick IF they decided to pass to on Michkov and Smith was already off the board.

 

[SlafySZN]

But out of the other players you name, Benson was seen as a top player before sliding a bit. It would probably go down to the interview. But in any case, top 5 guys are the top 5 guys. Don’t unsmart yourself Hughes!!!

But the thing is, not every team has the same top 5.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Not to speak on someone else's behalf but I read that as WTK just outlining a possible scenario in which Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Smith are the top four picks and then the Habs decide to pass on Michkov.

I don't think he was saying that they will or should pass on him, it looks like he was just laying out a scenario and giving his opinion on who to pick IF they decided to pass to on Michkov and Smith was already off the board.

This is exactly it.

I'm outlining a scenario where the top 4 is gone and we aren't taking Michkov.

In this scenario, we can't fabricate a top line offense talent out of thin air.

 

[26Mats]

I have an honest question, when is the last time a top end Russian prospect decided to stay in the KHL for his career? I am not talking about a fringe NHLer, I am talking about top end talent.

I don't think it's ever happened since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Worst cases I can think of for teams were Kovalchuk and Radulov going back for long stretches mid career.

But we're in different times again with the war in Ukraine.

 

[JoelWarlord]

In this scenario, we can't fabricate a top line offense talent out of thin air.

Yeah that's where I am on the whole Reinbacher vs. forward thing as well. I definitely get the impetus for a high upside forward and Michkov or Smith would fit that bill (to very different degrees of course), but if Smith is gone and they've ruled out Michkov I don't think any of the remaining forwards are clearly higher upside than Reinbacher.

(Caveat for the hundredth time of Michkov is my preference and I hope we pick him)

 

[FF de Mars]

I hear Michkov's lack of footspeed and size (more like 5'9 than 5'10) are the reason why he might fall; that, and his contract, of course. I hear you won't find many players to compare his skillset with in the NHL. Basically, scouts worry he's just another Corey Locke. I'd still rather gamble on a superstar but that's how I will rationalize it if they don't pick him.

 

[Kennerback]

You don’t think Michkov Will go top10?

Russians drafted last year, with half the talent and hype of Michkov, are already signed.

What’s the “hell of a risk”, exactly?


It’s a bit obnoxious to throw this out in the air, don’t you think?

There’s one question to ask: will he play one day in the NHL?

All the rest is smoke and mirrors.
- Contract 3 years, 5 years, bla,bla,…
- Putin this,that…
- KHL bla bla
- family bla bla…

If he shows up in 9 years, he’ll be 27. It’s grand theft to get a player like that at 5OA+ even at 27.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

There’s one question to ask: will he play one day in the NHL?

All the rest is smoke and mirrors.
- Contract 3 years, 5 years, bla,bla,…
- Putin this,that…
- KHL bla bla
- family bla bla…

If he shows up in 9 years, he’ll be 27. It’s grand theft to get a player like that at 5OA+ even at 27.

I've seen (and made) some hot takes on here, but thinking it's grand theft to wait a decade for a player that they have the chance to draft at 5th overall this year is certainly right up there.

Hughes is trying to rebuild now, not a decade from now.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

nobody wants to be a KHL superstar Michkov will 100% come to NA play in the NHL its every kids dream all the best russians in the world played here not in the KHL

Michkov at 21 under ELC will be a steal and huge for our cap

 

[ReHabs]

There’s one question to ask: will he play one day in the NHL?

All the rest is smoke and mirrors.
- Contract 3 years, 5 years, bla,bla,…
- Putin this,that…
- KHL bla bla
- family bla bla…

If he shows up in 9 years, he’ll be 27. It’s grand theft to get a player like that at 5OA+ even at 27.

Every top hockey player plays in the NHL eventually… and it shouldn’t be made out to be a big concern imo

 

[Kennerback]

I hear Michkov's lack of footspeed and size (more like 5'9 than 5'10) are the reason why he might fall; that, and his contract, of course. I hear you won't find many players to compare his skillset with in the NHL. Basically, scouts worry he's just another Corey Locke. I'd still rather gamble on a superstar but that's how I will rationalize it if they don't pick him.

Corey Locke was a 5’9 (mod) that skated at a fraction of the speed of Michkov. Around the NHL scouts community, word was things like “he’ll never score even a single goal in the NHL”. Habs took the risk anyways knowing full well it was an outside chance he was going to amount to anything.

 

[waffledave]

There are players who certainly do, and if that's the case with Caufield...more power to him.

But it should never be the expectation.

But i'm also very "pro player" in these situations, I'm never mad at guys for wanting to maximize their career earnings. Get every single red cent you can, because the second they're done with you, they won't think twice!

Of course. Corporate loyalty is straight up stupid. It's not the players' job to figure out how to balance a team's salary cap structure.

 

[Kennerback]

I've seen (and made) some hot takes on here, but thinking it's grand theft to wait a decade for a player that they have the chance to draft at 5th overall this year is certainly right up there.

Hughes is trying to rebuild now, not a decade from now.

Journalist are now going to the meterology department of UQAM and now asking if Michkov might be hit by lightning. “Well yes there are indeed lightning strikes in Russia””And he is currently in Russia”. Headline: “Expert says Michkov might die in Russia”.

 

[Mcdonaldz]

They could go perhaps Leonard if they’re absolutely sure he’s can’t miss and will absolutely hit his peak. 100% grand slam and we’re the only ones to see it.

That looks like reasonable expectations