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

[26Mats]

I’m fine at five. Smith or Mitchkov sounds like a great place to be. We’re not going to get Fantilli without some kind of insane move and that doesn’t really fit with where we’re at. So, at best we can move up two spots. Maybe they’d take the Florida pick to go with it but I doubt it.

Honestly, I think we’re in a great position. I’m not going to fret this.

Hard for me to have a definitive take on who is better between Smith and Michkov, and by how much. But I just hear so many people who follow prospects closely saying if there was no Russian factor, Michkov would go ahead of Fantilli...

I like that both Hughes and Gorton like to move up if their scouts tell them "we gotta get this guy."

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Hard for me to have a definitive take on who is better between Smith and Michkov, and by how much. But I just hear so many people who follow prospects closely saying if there was no Russian factor, Michkov would go ahead of Fantilli...

I like that both Hughes and Gorton like to move up if their scouts tell them "we gotta get this guy."

I’m all for getting Mitch. I think he’s gone before he gets to us. If another team believes in him the way we do, they won’t trade him.

And that’s okay… I’m all for trying to get him. Just don’t do something crazy like trading CC for him.

 

[waffledave]

I don't know what they could have done to tank harder. They started the year with 4 rookies on defense and by February I did not recognize half the team anymore, it was all random AHLers and rookies.

Oh but they played Montembeault for 10 games in a row! Guy he had a 3.4 GAA and .900 save percentage.

 

[26Mats]

I’m all for getting Mitch. I think he’s gone before he gets to us. If another team believes in him the way we do, they won’t trade him.

And that’s okay… I’m all for trying to get him. Just don’t do something crazy like trading CC for him.

Columbus doesn't want him. They're taking a center. If we trade with Columbus, with the stipulation that we're taking Michkov, Columbus is still guaranteed to get their center in Smith or Carlsson at 5. So we'd have to offer them a package that makes it worth their while to get whoever they value less between Smith and Carlsson. Speculation out of Columbus is they are very high on Smith. So there may not be a big gap for them between Carlsson and Smith, if any at all.

 

[salbutera]

Very few players are. For about a five year stretch there wasn’t a bigger difference maker in the league than Carey Price. The 2015-16 season proves it.


MB had nothing to do with acquiring him.

Anyways it goes to show how valuable a superstar is. It’s going to be interesting to see what Bedard does for the Hawks. Don’t know if he’ll live up to the hype but even if he’s “only” a franchise talent that can still be enough.

The question is, how many franchise talents will there be in this draft? Mitchkov? Fantilli? Seems like a great top five.

The last guy we drafted fifth? Carey Price!

How many game changing “franchise talents” have been drafted in the cap era besides Price? 5? 6-max since 2004 draft?

Ovy, Malkin, Crosby, Kane, MacDavid?

So 6 in 19 drafts?

 

[26Mats]

How many game changing “franchise talents” have been drafted in the cap era besides Price? 5? 6-max since 2004 draft?

Ovy, Malkin, Crosby, Kane, MacDavid?

So 6 in 19 drafts?

For starters, Florida wouldn't be in the cup finals without Barkov and Tkachuk.

Draisaitl, McKinnon, and Mathews are pkayers that immediately bring your franchise to another level. We'll see what Stutzle, Brady Takachuk, Jack Hughes, Eichel, etc... do over the next few years.

 

[waitin425]

For me it is very easily Michkov. If he isn't available then we take whatever centre is left. Fantilli/Carlsson/Smith in that order.

I have a feeling that it is going to be Smith in the end, as the other four will be gone.

Hughes is very familiar with Smith and I don't see him passing on him.

The question than turns to PLD. I feel that we will have a "I have a trade to announce" moment from Buttman at the draft and it will be #32 + Beck for PLD.

Our centre depth moving forward will consist of....

Suzuki
PLD
Dach
Smith

All four will be in our top six rotating out of the centre position to wing as necessary. But we will have TONS of flexibility.

 

[OnTheRun]

I don't know what they could have done to tank harder. They started the year with 4 rookies on defense and by February I did not recognize half the team anymore, it was all random AHLers and rookies.

Oh but they played Montembeault for 10 games in a row! Guy he had a 3.4 GAA and .900 save percentage.

It's a bit funny because February was the Habs best month last season, kind of the perfect mix of having all the useless floaters on IR and the opposing teams not taking them seriously at the same time.

Each month in P%:
Oct .556 (17th)
Nov .500 (22nd)
Dec .333 (30th)
Jan .393 (29th)
Feb .667 (9th)
Mar .313 (30th)
Apr .167 (31st)

 

[Team_Spirit]

I don't know what they could have done to tank harder. They started the year with 4 rookies on defense and by February I did not recognize half the team anymore, it was all random AHLers and rookies.

Oh but they played Montembeault for 10 games in a row! Guy he had a 3.4 GAA and .900 save percentage.

The whole debate is hilarious to me especially in this thread wth is going on.


McKeens have Michkov #5.

 

[waffledave]

It's a bit funny because February was the Habs best month last season, kind of the perfect mix of having all the useless floaters on IR and the opposing teams not taking them seriously at the same time.

Each month in P%:
Oct .556 (17th)
Nov .500 (22nd)
Dec .333 (30th)
Jan .393 (29th)
Feb .667 (9th)
Mar .313 (30th)
Apr .167 (31st)

I kind of said February randomly because I recall Suzuki was cold at that time and I think that's when the injuries really started to pile up. But really I'm not sure how much more worse you can expect the team to be. We didn't tank hard enough? What more could have been done? Maybe play with no goalie at all?

 

[OnTheRun]

I kind of said February randomly because I recall Suzuki was cold at that time and I think that's when the injuries really started to pile up. But really I'm not sure how much more worse you can expect the team to be. We didn't tank hard enough? What more could have been done? Maybe play with no goalie at all?

Not much, really, it came down to the Habs staying motivated and other teams often giving a suspicious effort against them.

 

[salbutera]

For starters, Florida wouldn't be in the cup finals without Barkov and Tkachuk.

Draisaitl, McKinnon, and Mathews are pkayers that immediately bring your franchise to another level. We'll see what Stutzle, Brady Takachuk, Jack Hughes, Eichel, etc... do over the next few years.

Yet Barkov in Fla and Tkachuk in Cgy for years were not able to “game change” their previous teams despite being surrounded by superior talents vs Mtl (based on posters takes here) - same Matthews, Draisaitl, MacKinnon until last playoffs etc.

 

[NORiculous]

That was the intent...I mean how did you want them to "manage" tanking harder?

They were barely icing an NHL caliber team on most nights. It's not like the Habs were actively out there trying to improve their chances to win games this year.

It’s ok if you don’t see how they could have done a better job.

What I don’t like is the consistency during the year. It’s almost like they weren’t sure what they wanted to do.

The start of the season was the first signal because they did nothing and watched the team win and win and win. Suggestion : Hughes should have traded Anderson or someone else. It doesn’t need to be my suggestion specifically but they failed to do something.

So ok.. let’s say they don’t want to tank. Then a nice prospect falls on their lap.. Tolvanen isn’t picked up.

Ok so they didn’t take him… Why?
Honestly, I don’t get. If they wanted to tank, they failed to move. And if they didn’t want to tank, they failed to add a nice young player that would be part of the core.

No consistency.

When you look back at the season and see all that was needed was 6 less win, I see multiple things that would have helped. It’s pretty basic stuff too.

Want to tank and have players on fire not named Suzuki, Caufield, etc. Trade and get inflated or at the minimum real good value.

Seriously, sometimes you have to lose trades to reach a goal like this. Remember Lafleur.

I think they were uncreative and/or undecided and missed a HUGE opportunity. This opportunity won’t come back for the next 20-25 years minimum.


On top of this… if you add the rhumours of passing on Michkov… I think it’s pathetic.

I am still giving the runner a chance to run but I can’t say that I am not disappointed. If they Draft Michkov at 5, that would heal most of it though.

 

[BLONG7]

Yes.

Carey Price was only going to sign for that specific number. Why? Because it perfectly matched the Lundqvist deal from a cap percentage perspective. He was the best in the game and had to be paid like it. Star players are under huge pressure from the union to move the bar. Price wasn’t going to sign for anything less. McDavid for example had to sign for what he did. He had to raise the bar. Even if he wanted to play for less the union would’ve killed him for it. Price was getting it no matter what. If not here then elsewhere.

And don’t forget that Price was at his peak. No reason it shouldn’t have continued but we lost the entire left side of our D core and then Weber got hurt. We never replaced anyone and went down the tubes. An awful waste of talent.

And yet, when we did make the playoffs Price was still stellar. Knocking off the Pens and then the following year taking us to a cup final. First player making ten mil plus to get past the first round. First player making ten mil to get past multiple rounds… and we got a cup appearance out of it despite having a shitty team.

The contract wasn’t the problem. And it’s still not really a problem now. The problem was that we had a shitty GM.

I believe in locking up young talent as early as you can for as long as you can. Because when they reach their prime, you’ll pay through the nose. If you can get a cheap long term deal, it’s amazing value.

Hopefully we do it with CC and Mitchkov (or whoever it is we draft this year.)

The contract was never ever an issue.................people at times just don't understand what having a star player costs......................I always gave him credit for sticking around and staying with such a shitty team............

 

[salbutera]

The contract was never ever an issue.................people at times just don't understand what having a star player costs......................I always gave him credit for sticking around and staying with such a shitty team............

And actually being one of the handful of actual “game changers” in the NHL

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

It’s ok if you don’t see how they could have done a better job.

What I don’t like is the consistency during the year. It’s almost like they weren’t sure what they wanted to do.

The start of the season was the first signal because they did nothing and watched the team win and win and win. Suggestion : Hughes should have traded Anderson or someone else. It doesn’t need to be my suggestion specifically but they failed to do something.

So ok.. let’s say they don’t want to tank. Then a nice prospect falls on their lap.. Tolvanen isn’t picked up.

Ok so they didn’t take him… Why?
Honestly, I don’t get. If they wanted to tank, they failed to move. And if they didn’t want to tank, they failed to add a nice young player that would be part of the core.

No consistency.

When you look back at the season and see all that was needed was 6 less win, I see multiple things that would have helped. It’s pretty basic stuff too.

Want to tank and have players on fire not named Suzuki, Caufield, etc. Trade and get inflated or at the minimum real good value.

Seriously, sometimes you have to lose trades to reach a goal like this. Remember Lafleur.

I think they were uncreative and/or undecided and missed a HUGE opportunity. This opportunity won’t come back for the next 20-25 years minimum.


On top of this… if you add the rhumours of passing on Michkov… I think it’s pathetic.

I am still giving the runner a chance to run but I can’t say that I am not disappointed. If they Draft Michkov at 5, that would heal most of it though.

you know HuGo are also managing the players which means not piss them off by trading the little bit of NHLers we actually have because we won a few games? us fans and im sure HuGo also want to lose every game to land Bedard but the players dont care about that they wanna win this is not on management at all he traded a bunch of core players last season didnt replace them and started the season with a record 4 rookies on def you cant sit here and actually think our GM should of traded every potentiel player because we won x amount of games lol might aswell tell St-Louis to act sick and stay at home so we can lose more

- Our rookies played better then expected

- MSL knows how to get the best from hes players

- our AHLers RHP,Belzile,Richard came in hot with something to prove

- Monty had some great games stealing a few points

 

[DiglettDangles]

I kinda hope Patrick Roy gets the coaching job in Columbus, so he gets over-involved in the drafting discussions (as we know he might) and gets them to pick a Grigorenko ahead of us. Apparently he made it to their final 2 names.

 

[Redux91]

View attachment 713859

Spat my coffee out thanks!

 

[LaP]

I kinda hope Patrick Roy gets the coaching job in Columbus, so he gets over-involved in the drafting discussions (as we know he might) and gets them to pick a Grigorenko ahead of us. Apparently he made it to their final 2.

Grigorenko was drafted by Buffalo.

When Roy was with the Avs they drafted those guys in the first round

MacKinnon (1st)
Connor Bleackley (23rd)
Rantanen (10th)
Tyson Jost (10th)

 

[Sterling Archer]

It seems pretty obvious Hughes wants Smith to fall to 5th. Question really is if he doesn't, will he grab Michkov or pick a lower, "safer" tier of talent in Benson, Leonard etc.? If he does go to the next lower tier, I'd hope for Benson but would still be bitterly disappointed if Habs don't get Michkov or Smith. Just sapped of enthusiasm for any other pick tbh.

 

[417]

It’s ok if you don’t see how they could have done a better job.

What I don’t like is the consistency during the year. It’s almost like they weren’t sure what they wanted to do.

But they were consistently bad the entire year. It was the only thing they remained consistent in.

The start of the season was the first signal because they did nothing and watched the team win and win and win. Suggestion : Hughes should have traded Anderson or someone else. It doesn’t need to be my suggestion specifically but they failed to do something.

Win and win and win?

I mean, they won 4 out of the first 10 games.

Furthermore, that suggestion is an odd one.

Why would a team, in a full rebuild, trade one of it's most valuable assets because they won a couple of games early in the season? That would be a total mismanagement of assets, no offense.

Failed to do something?

I'm not sure I get the premise here, were they supposed to have an organizational referendum about the direction of their team because they won a couple of games in October and November?

So ok.. let’s say they don’t want to tank. Then a nice prospect falls on their lap.. Tolvanen isn’t picked up.

Ok so they didn’t take him… Why?
Honestly, I don’t get. If they wanted to tank, they failed to move. And if they didn’t want to tank, they failed to add a nice young player that would be part of the core.

No consistency.

But wouldn't Tolvanen have helped make the team better, according to your theory here?

Sorry, not sure i'm following.

But for argument's sake, i'm not sure what the circumstances surrounding the Habs not claiming Tolvanen were though.

When you look back at the season and see all that was needed was 6 less win, I see multiple things that would have helped. It’s pretty basic stuff too.

Want to tank and have players on fire not named Suzuki, Caufield, etc. Trade and get inflated or at the minimum real good value.

Seriously, sometimes you have to lose trades to reach a goal like this. Remember Lafleur.

I think they were uncreative and/or undecided and missed a HUGE opportunity. This opportunity won’t come back for the next 20-25 years minimum.

Again, all due respect...your thoughts are all over place here.

All that was needed was 6 less win...to win the lottery spot the team who ended winning the lottery (Hawks) was in, despite the fact that many fans thought they were sabotaging their chances at winning Bedard because they won a bunch of meaningless games down the stretch?

Remember Lafleur?

You realize how the draft LOTTERY works right?

On top of this… if you add the rhumours of passing on Michkov… I think it’s pathetic.

I am still giving the runner a chance to run but I can’t say that I am not disappointed. If they Draft Michkov at 5, that would heal most of it though.

Rumors of passing on Michkov, is rumors from fans/media who have a lot of time to waste until the draft.

The Montreal Canadiens themselves don't even know who they're picking yet, why would anyone believe who they will pass on is beyond me.

But we're the fanbase that loves to wallow in misery, so not surprising.

 

[NORiculous]

the players dont care about that

We have seen the players be exited by the new players. This is something that most probably was always there but that we saw, I’m guessing, because of the way Chantal manages communications.

So I agree that the players want to win but they also want a team that has a direction and that will help them win big.

 

[417]

you know HuGo are also managing the players which means not piss them off by trading the little bit of NHLers we actually have because we won a few games? us fans and im sure HuGo also want to lose every game to land Bedard but the players dont care about that they wanna win this is not on management at all he traded a bunch of core players last season didnt replace them and started the season with a record 4 rookies on def you cant sit here and actually think our GM should of traded every potentiel player because we won x amount of games lol might aswell tell St-Louis to act sick and stay at home so we can lose more

- Our rookies played better then expected

- MSL knows how to get the best from hes players

- our AHLers RHP,Belzile,Richard came in hot with something to prove

- Monty had some great games stealing a few points

Not to mention the obvious.

The worst team in the NHL didn't win the lottery...so this idea that the Habs didn't do enough to lose games, so they could win a lottery that doesn't guarantee a draft slot wherever you finish...

Is an odd criticism to say the least.

 

[NORiculous]

But they were consistently bad the entire year. It was the only thing they remained consistent in.

Win and win and win?

I mean, they won 4 out of the first 10 games.

Furthermore, that suggestion is an odd one.

Why would a team, in a full rebuild, trade one of it's most valuable assets because they won a couple of games early in the season? That would be a total mismanagement of assets, no offense.

Failed to do something?

I'm not sure I get the premise here, were they supposed to have an organizational referendum about the direction of their team because they won a couple of games in October and November?

But wouldn't Tolvanen have helped make the team better, according to your theory here?

Sorry, not sure i'm following.

But for argument's sake, i'm not sure what the circumstances surrounding the Habs not claiming Tolvanen were though.

Again, all due respect...your thoughts are all over place here.

All that was needed was 6 less win...to win the lottery spot the team who ended winning the lottery (Hawks) was in, despite the fact that many fans thought they were sabotaging their chances at winning Bedard because they won a bunch of meaningless games down the stretch?

Remember Lafleur?

You realize how the draft LOTTERY works right?

Rumors of passing on Michkov, is rumors from fans/media who have a lot of time to waste until the draft.

The Montreal Canadiens themselves don't even know who they're picking yet, why would anyone believe who they will pass on is beyond me.

But we're the fanbase that loves to wallow in misery, so not surprising.

I read your answer and all I can see is that you didn’t read my post. But you partly admit that by saying you’re not sure you follow.

So I have nothing to say, since I’d just repost the same thing.

 

[DiglettDangles]

Grigorenko was drafted by Buffalo.

When Roy was with the Avs they drafted those guys in the first round

MacKinnon (1st)
Connor Bleackley (23rd)
Rantanen (10th)
Tyson Jost (10th)

You're missing the point of my little tongue-in-cheek comment.
Patrick Roy was pushing Grigorenko to Montreal hard in the media because he was from his Remparts (I'm sure I don't need to remind you that if you're from Québec city). Roy was also part of the people interviewing for Habs GM in May 2012 just before that draft. In Montreal he would have been GM, not coach, so he would have actually had a say in the draft process.