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

[Runner77]

There is a nice article in LaPresse today from a senior reporter saying they Bettman is basically groveling in front of Russia (with the conciliatory stance vs pride jersey) and that Russians are trying to use sports to re-legitimize themselves e.g. it would be in Russia’s interests to use hockey as a tool to reintegrate the world.

That said it would only mean someone else will draft him before us lol

Guerre en Ukraine | Le seul camp honorable

Le Canadien prendrait-il un grand risque en repêchant Matvei Michkov, celui qu’on surnomme le « Connor Bedard russe », au prochain repêchage ? Non.

www.lapresse.ca

Thanks but I’m not a fan of Cantin. I’ll pass.

 

[Runner77]

Well...If you are in Russia.......better shut up after about Russia and never say anything bad and even then, saying nothing at all is always the best options

Only guy on this forum who gets close enough to Russia without going there is @jaffy27 who has flown to Belarus many times, as I recall. Maybe he’s heard something or maybe … he doesn’t want to know anything so that he can GTFO unscathed.

 

[Milhouse40]

There is a nice article in LaPresse today from a senior reporter saying they Bettman is basically groveling in front of Russia (with the conciliatory stance vs pride jersey) and that Russians are trying to use sports to re-legitimize themselves e.g. it would be in Russia’s interests to use hockey as a tool to reintegrate the world.

That said it would only mean someone else will draft him before us lol

Guerre en Ukraine | Le seul camp honorable

Le Canadien prendrait-il un grand risque en repêchant Matvei Michkov, celui qu’on surnomme le « Connor Bedard russe », au prochain repêchage ? Non.

www.lapresse.ca

That's actually what scares me a little in this situation. It's like we're rolling back time here a little bit and back then they did use their athletes to show how great they are.....but back then, that's also why they prevented their Top stars to move to the west also.

If the iron curtain stays in Russia, they will built their own enterntainment like movies, series and sport just to name a few, they will built their own sports heroes and legend as they did back then.......and you do this with Top NHL star that would stick to the KHL.....not with the players not good enough to play in the NHL and those type of players don't come along very often. Michkov is one of the very few.....

Only guy on this forum who gets close enough to Russia without going there is @jaffy27 who has flown to Belarus many times, as I recall. Maybe he’s heard something or maybe … he doesn’t want to know anything so that he can GTFO unscathed.

I was more talking about his skill coach....obviously

 

[26Mats]

With more positive reports coming out on Michkov, this also increases the chances of SJ to pick him at 4.

Overall, we should be happy because even though we have more chances of picking Michkov, it also means that we have less chances of reaching at 5.

I'd say the more this goes, our pick likely is Smith and I think the majority of us would be happy with it.

Hughes is very aggressive and Gorton likes to trade up to get the guy the scouts want, and has a history of doing so. He traded up for Braden Schneider and K'Andre Miller, and there is video of him in pre draft meetings asking his scouts: who's the guy we have to trade up for, the guy we can't wait to fall to us where we're drafting but have to go grab.

Columbus don't want Michkov. They want a center. There will be two available at 3 (Carlsson and Smith) and one of them will be available at 5 if we trade up to swap picks with them, with the agreement that we pick Michkov.

If we want Michkov, we have to make an offer that gives Columbus a package including Smith at 5 than they would get by merely taking Carlsson at 3. Because San Jose's taking Michkov at 4, if Anaheim doesn't at 2nd overall.

 

[bootzycollins]

Nah, the Habs will take Smith if he is there.

They probably should, but I think Hughes will be drawn towards Leonard's better all-around game knowing that PLD will most likely be available for free next summer. Smith is definitely higher upside, I just think Hughes goes elsewhere

 

[WeThreeKings]

They probably should, but I think Hughes will be drawn towards Leonard's better all-around game knowing that PLD will most likely be available for free next summer. Smith is definitely higher upside, I just think Hughes goes elsewhere

If PLD is most likely available next summer, then Leonard makes even less sense. PLD does everything Leonard does at a much higher level.

They'd still have a massive need for a Smith like player.

 

[Vachon23]

They probably should, but I think Hughes will be drawn towards Leonard's better all-around game knowing that PLD will most likely be available for free next summer. Smith is definitely higher upside, I just think Hughes goes elsewhere

With the connections he have with Smith and the need of skills we have, I would be EXTREMELY surprise if they don't pick Smith

 

[jrom]

Thanks but I’m not a fan of Cantin. I’ll pass.

I don’t like him but his arguments are logical (this time).

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...think we all need to start praying to Ares that someone takes Smith in the Top 4 (Columbus makes the most sense) and Carlsson is available...by the sounds of things, San Jose is where Michkov probably ends up...

 

[AHShadow]

Hughes is very aggressive and Gorton likes to trade up to get the guy the scouts want, and has a history of doing so. He traded up for Braden Schneider and K'Andre Miller, and there is video of him in pre draft meetings asking his scouts: who's the guy we have to trade up for, the guy we can't wait to fall to us where we're drafting but have to go grab.

Columbus don't want Michkov. They want a center. There will be two available at 3 (Carlsson and Smith) and one of them will be available at 5 if we trade up to swap picks with them, with the agreement that we pick Michkov.

If we want Michkov, we have to make an offer that gives Columbus a package including Smith at 5 than they would get by merely taking Carlsson at 3. Because San Jose's taking Michkov at 4, if Anaheim doesn't at 2nd overall.

I'd prefer this honestly just cause I believe there's a true top 4 (Bedard, Fantilli, Michkov, Carlsson) and then Smith and Benson. If we truly love Michkov, then 100% we should try and trade-up with Columbus to make it happen knowing they would be very happy with either Smith or Carlsson.

 

[The Great Weal]

I just can't see the Sharks passing up on Michkov.

 

[sampollock]

I just can't see the Sharks passing up on Michkov.

Me either... thus habs get smith

 

[JoelWarlord]

I just can't see the Sharks passing up on Michkov.

It really just does make so much sense for them. Michkov makes sense for everyone of course but SJS in particular is so far behind in their rebuild that they really don't have any "positional needs" because they don't have prospect depth anywhere. It's basically just Eklund and Mukhamadullin and Eklund isn't anywhere near good enough for them to say they don't need wingers anymore. The Sharks are locked into an extended rebuild due to all of those big old guy contracts so it makes perfect sense for them to swing for the fences on talent and count on the next 2-3 drafts + the potential trade return for Hertl to produce their C/D of the future.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

People needs to stop adding Dubois in their lineup my god

Also " Bergevin played 1200 games " He knows what to do;

He still said that David Schelmko would be a great pairing with Weber , a guy that was on his 6th team in 5 years.

He lost his entire left d side in one summer haha. Markov, Emelin, Beaulieu and claimed on TV that this was an improved d corp with Schlemko, Streit and whatever other garbage he grabbed that summer, I forget now.

 

[Mudz]

Thanks but I’m not a fan of Cantin. I’ll pass.

So which side were you on here?

 

[LaP]

He's my prediction for the draft

1. Bedard
2. Michkov
3. Smith
4. Carlsson
5. Fantilli

ok ok i'll show myself out ...

 

[sampollock]

He's my prediction for the draft

1. Bedard
2. Michkov
3. Smith
4. Carlsson
5. Fantilli

ok ok i'll show myself out ...

WISH this was true

 

[Runner77]

So which side were you on here?

The bully from the bully pulpit.

Cantin got rightfully put to his place.

 

[Destopcorner]

He lost his entire left d side in one summer haha. Markov, Emelin, Beaulieu and claimed on TV that this was an improved d corp with Schlemko, Streit and whatever other garbage he grabbed that summer, I forget now.

You forgot he also traded our only promising LHD left for Drouin who was suppose to be the new Radulov... After claiming they replace Markov by committee with Streit, Shlemko and freaking Alzner because of 1 freaking million dollar. He woke up one morning and decided to kill our franchise that summer.

 

[26Mats]

I'd prefer this honestly just cause I believe there's a true top 4 (Bedard, Fantilli, Michkov, Carlsson) and then Smith and Benson. If we truly love Michkov, then 100% we should try and trade-up with Columbus to make it happen knowing they would be very happy with either Smith or Carlsson.

Yeah that's the key: how close are Smith and Carlsson in their eyes.

There were rumors around the draft lottery that they are really high on Smith and are looking for that flashy offensive talent. But those are just rumors. And they're in the midst of their deep dive right now. Maybe they have Carlsson way ahead of Smith and it would take a lot to get them to settle for Will Smith. Owen Beck, Florida's 1st, and Mike Matheson are big pieces I'd be willing to move if management think Michkov is that next 100 point super star. Columbus are looking to be good next year and are looing for an LD to replace Gavrikov.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

He lost his entire left d side in one summer haha. Markov, Emelin, Beaulieu and claimed on TV that this was an improved d corp with Schlemko, Streit and whatever other garbage he grabbed that summer, I forget now.

He even added;

"Les gars qui sont arrivés cet été ont plus d’expérience et bougent mieux la rondelle"

Translation : the guys that we added this summer have more experience and move the puck better

What a chump

 

[yianik]

If PLD is most likely available next summer, then Leonard makes even less sense. PLD does everything Leonard does at a much higher level.

They'd still have a massive need for a Smith like player.

If PLD is a much better version of Leonard, then I don't want Leonard. We need to swing here ,not try for the bunt single, not at 5th.

 

[JohnTheBaptist]

As I mentioned , for me, there are 10 or so superstars in the league. Where you draw the line between star and superstar is up to each person but I don’t think a league can have 30 superstars. So for me, the 10 in superstar category are : McDavid, Draisilt, Mackinnon, Makar, Matthews, Kucherov, Tkachuk, Pastrnak, Crosby, Ovechkin….like that’s pretty much the list. I think Robertson is in the next tier with Marner, Point, Stamkos, Rantanen, etc.

And it’s not that Robertson isn’t worthy or as good as those superstar players, it’s just more so that who do you take out of that list? Dallas has a few great stars like Robertson, Miro, Hintz and Ottinger but if you limit yourself to 10 superstars, I don’t think they have one on that list.


Obviously habs have nothing close to that. But you can’t have 20 superstars in a league. Superstar is reserved imo for the top 10, even more likely top 5 players in the league. So between Mcdavid, Makar, Draisaitl, Matthews, Mackinnon and Kucherov…who do you take out to put Robertson in?

It’s a subjective line as to where you differentiate superstar vs star. I think Robertson is at the high end of the star category along with players like Marner, Rantanen, Point, etc.

You take out Matthews, he's no superstar. His production dips significantly in the playoffs.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Bergevin proved that 1191 NHL games experience and no high school degree is actually not a worthwhile CV. It's strange to me you'd cite Bergevin as a good examples of the Old Boy's Club hiring policy -- he was not a good GM and he left the team worse than he inherited it.

Bergevin's CV was easily worthwhile. You must be joking if you don't think playing 1000+ games in the nhl isn't a great experience to have in order to get a job in the nhl, especially when the job has to do with scouting, which was Bergevin's 1st job after retiring from his playing career.

Defending the Alzner trade... well I won't litigate your claims line by line but I think it's worth noting that signing a UFA is NOT a gamble, it's a move. A gamble is when you place something on the table that you could lose -- a trade, a risky acquisition, a hot prospect for an established vet (Iginla/Nieuwendyke trade) -- signing a UFA with boatloads of cap space is not a gamble.

Cap space is an asset, and it's one that you give up when signing a player through free agency.

Alzner played himself out of Washington's top3, so it is, in fact, indefensible that you're now revising the worst UFA signing in Habs history. Alzner started getting questioned from the first half of his first season with the Habs. There is no good revisionist argument to be made there. He was not a PMD, he was not a former great, he was not someone coming off an injury or questionable surgery (Eichel). He was a mediocre d-man with high draft pedigree from many years prior who had lost his spot with WSH and took advantage of a sucker GM. I'm sure multiple GMs were chasing Alzner, that doesn't make the acquisition any better.

What do you mean? Alzner was absolutely awful his last year in Washington. He was pushed all the way down Washington’s lineup and to make things worse, the one thing the Habs needed on the backend was a PMD which Alzner didn’t address even if he wasn’t washed up. The guy was making jokes he was too hurt to open pickle jars. That’s not a calculated risk, it’s suicide. There’s no excuses for an entire team of people to miss something like that. And I’m confused why you’re bringing up the Romanov/Dach trade as if that’s any comparable to that stinker of a signing.

Alzner was averaging around 20 min of ice time on the best team in the league. Yes, he had a down season, but the idea that he was for sure done as an NHL player is nonsense.

David Savard was coming off a similar situation when the habs signed him, and it has been a decent signing. He had a down last season with Columbus and was sparingly used by Tampa in the playoffs. Savard rebounded with the habs, and the hope when Alzner was signed was that he would do the same.

And again, it's easy to criticize when you're not the one whose job is on the line. The management obviously knew there was risk associated with signing Alzner to a multiple-year deal, but they deemed it was preferable to doing nothing or giving up assets in a trade (like the Flames giving up a 1st and multiple 2nds to get Hamonic).

 

[Destopcorner]

He even added;

"Les gars qui sont arrivés cet été ont plus d’expérience et bougent mieux la rondelle"

Translation : the guys that we added this summer have more experience and move the puck better

What a chump

The summer interview with Bob was astonishing from the start. Bob said something like you just went to the conference final and for some reason lost/trade/waived 5 out of 6 defenceman during the summer... Bergy hammered his defense was much better now, Weber is exactly what this team was missing ( we needed more goals you stupid duck) and how he'd never trade a superstar D like Morgan Reilly just after he boot PK away.

Bob couldn't keep a straight face in front of such stupidity, great interview.

Bergevin's CV was easily worthwhile. You must be joking if you don't think playing 1000+ games in the nhl isn't a great experience to have in order to get a job in the nhl, especially when the job has to do with scouting, which was Bergevin's 1st job after retiring from his playing career.



Cap space is an asset, and it's one that you give up when signing a player through free agency.




Alzner was averaging around 20 min of ice time on the best team in the league. Yes, he had a down season, but the idea that he was for sure done as an NHL player is nonsense.

David Savard was coming off a similar situation when the habs signed him, and it has been a decent signing. He had a down last season with Columbus and was sparingly used by Tampa in the playoffs. Savard rebounded with the habs, and the hope when Alzner was signed was that he would do the same.

And again, it's easy to criticize when you're not the one whose job is on the line. The management obviously knew there was risk associated with signing Alzner to a multiple-year deal, but they deemed it was preferable to doing nothing or giving up assets in a trade (like the Flames giving up a 1st and multiple 2nds to get Hamonic).

You're defending the Alzner signing instead of Markov for 1 more million and 3-4 more years?

How's that even possible? We are still paying the guy lol