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

[WeThreeKings]

Smith, Reinbacher or Leonard.

Keep coming back to those 3 here.. although I still wouldn't discount Dvorsky.

Unfortunately the combine coverage is completely bereft.

 

[Rapala]

God, everytime I read this package i get upset and my heart starts to race and I have to get up and walk around to calm down lol
Stop it

No worries our brain trust clearly aren't brain damaged.

 

[SlafySZN]

Don't mind the talent gap

There may be a gap (i personally don’t think it’s huge) but we’re still talking about offensive players. You can’t ask for one to be Bergeron and find every little thing about this player and turn around and completely ignore it for the other, who has even more ‘’problems’’ in that sense.

I personally don’t care about kids defensive game so it was just a funny thing i noticed.

 

[sampollock]

Here is now the combined ranking of the top-10 of 2022 and 2023
Here are Pronman's

1. Connor Bedard - C (WHL)
2. Adam Fantilli - C (USHL)
3. Matvei Michkov - AD (KHL)
4. Leo Carlsson - C (SHL)
5. Will Smith - C (USHL)
6. Juraj Slafkovsky - LW (Canadians)
7. Logan Cooley - C (Coyotes)
8. David Jiricek - DD (Blue Jackets)
9. David Reinbacher - DD (Switzerland)
10. Shane Wright - C (Kraken)
11. Cutter Gauthier - C (Flyers)
12. Kevin Korchinski - LB (Blackhawks)
13. Dalibor Dvorsky - C (Sweden)
14. Ryan Leonard - RW (USHL)
15. Simon Nemec - DD (Devils)
16. Gabriel Perreault - LW (USHL)
17. Marco Kasper - C (Red Wings)
18. Zach Benson - LW (WHL)
19. Matthew Savoie - C (Sabers)
20. Pavel Mintyukov - GM (Ducks)

 

[HomeAndHome]

The only guarantees that won't be there @ 5 to me are Bedard and Fantilli.

Mitchkov - take him and run. Too much potential to pass up on. Can be franchise altering in a few years when he's ready. I'm not too worried about him not coming over here when his contract is up, he seems like the type of guy that's going to want to prove he's the best, and he can only do that in the N.

Carlsson - easy pick if he's there. Big / strong / skilled center. Not much to not like. I'm expecting Columbus to take him though.

Smith - if the other two are taken, Smith is my guy right now. he has the skill and drive to score that can't be taught. I don't care if he isn't 200ft player right now, that can be coached to a certain extent. Suzuki + whoever is 3c can take the 2way roles, let Smith work his skill and put up points. Get some excitement to go along with CC up front.

Benson - I can't shake the feeling this kids skill/compete/IQ is too good to fail. If it's Smith vs Benson @5 it's pretty close for me right now.

I'm not a fan at this point of drafting a D @5 with all the skill available up front. I'm also not a fan of trading back from 5, take the guy you want and trade up from FLA 1st if needed to the 20s. It's been too long since we've had an all-star 80+ point forward and I think any of the above guys have that ability in them. Unless management has a plan a la Romanov out and Dach in that opens up other options I hope we take one of the skilled forwards.

 

[sampollock]

The only guarantees that won't be there @ 5 to me are Bedard and Fantilli.

Mitchkov - take him and run. Too much potential to pass up on. Can be franchise altering in a few years when he's ready. I'm not too worried about him not coming over here when his contract is up, he seems like the type of guy that's going to want to prove he's the best, and he can only do that in the N.

Carlsson - easy pick if he's there. Big / strong / skilled center. Not much to not like. I'm expecting Columbus to take him though.

Smith - if the other two are taken, Smith is my guy right now. he has the skill and drive to score that can't be taught. I don't care if he isn't 200ft player right now, that can be coached to a certain extent. Suzuki + whoever is 3c can take the 2way roles, let Smith work his skill and put up points. Get some excitement to go along with CC up front.

Benson - I can't shake the feeling this kids skill/compete/IQ is too good to fail. If it's Smith vs Benson @5 it's pretty close for me right now.

I'm not a fan at this point of drafting a D @5 with all the skill available up front. I'm also not a fan of trading back from 5, take the guy you want and trade up from FLA 1st if needed to the 20s. It's been too long since we've had an all-star 80+ point forward and I think any of the above guys have that ability in them. Unless management has a plan a la Romanov out and Dach in that opens up other options I hope we take one of the skilled forwards.

yup agree
no D man at 5

 

[Redux91]

Smith, Reinbacher or Leonard.

Keep coming back to those 3 here.. although I still wouldn't discount Dvorsky.

Unfortunately the combine coverage is completely bereft.

For me, with Dvorsky, I find at least "1" thing interesting
The fact he was 17 aaaallllllllll season and won't be 18 til a week from now
Fantilli and Reinbacher have been 18 since October.
And yeah yeah most of the kids (smith, leonard, carlsson, benson) turn 18 midway thru and it could skew my point a bit
But for me there's at least a LITTLE something to spending your entire draft season at age 17

The funniest part about all of that is : The #1 pick , Bedard, is 17 yrs old until July lol
It just never ends the luck for f***ing Chicago man

 

[Habsfan18]

On the surface, Ryan Leonard is pretty much everything you’d want in a player. Big, fast, aggressive, good skater, heavy shot, quick release, chippy, big motor, solid defensively. That’s a highly sought after overall package.

I can completely get on board with that assuming Carlsson isn’t there which surely he won’t be. If he is you forget everything else and run to the podium.

I’d be ecstatic with Michkov, but I still maintain he’s not an option for us.

I firmly believe we’ll be picking between Smith, Leonard and Reinbacher.

 

[sampollock]

On the surface, Ryan Leonard is pretty much everything you’d want in a player. Big, fast, aggressive, good skater, heavy shot, quick release, chippy, big motor, solid defensively. That’s a highly sought after overall package.

I can completely get on board with that assuming Carlsson isn’t there which surely he won’t be. If he is you forget everything else and run to the podium.

I’d be ecstatic with Michkov, but I still maintain he’s not an option for us.

I firmly believe we’ll be picking between Smith, Leonard and Reinbacher.

leonard would be solid pick

 

[Sam I Am]

The NHL draft is fast approaching and fans are eager to know the choice of the Montreal Canadiens. The team will have the opportunity to select a very talented young hopeful among whom Matvei Michkov and Will Smith seem particularly interested in the supporters. One of these two players should notably be available when general manager Kent Hughes makes his announcement on June 28.

Despite Matvei Michkov's undeniable talent, his complex situation seems to be on the minds of many NHL general managers. Although fans would like to see the Canadian take a chance by selecting him, it is possible that the team opts for another attacker.

Will Smith, an 18-year-old center, could be the Habs' top pick. He had a remarkable season with the American development program, registering 51 goals and 76 assists in 60 games. He was also the most successful player at the U18 World Championship, racking up 20 points in 7 games to help the American team win the gold medal.

Uh...thanks.

This post feels strangely late to the party. Has ChatGTP joined the boards?

 

[sampollock]

Uh...thanks.

This post feels strangely late to the party. Has ChatGTP joined the boards?

just more stuff on Smith.. not late on time

 

[montreal]

I've already assumed that the Habs won't pick Michkov and that Smith and Leo go 3r and 4th OA although holding out some hope that SJ goes with Michkov. We know the Jackets have spoken of their interest in Smith, I wouldn't be surprised if he goes and then SJ takes Carlsson over Michkov. So what would the Habs do at 5 if Michkov is a ND due to being Russian. Trade down, take another blueliner, go with Leonard? Please don't say trade it for PLD, it makes me want to puke every time I see someone suggest the Habs should be trading futures for help now unless the price is too good to pass up but then again I would have burnt this shit to the ground so I clearly would have already done things differently going into this season.

 

[Guillermo]

So there is that goaltender, a Philly draft pick, that apparently had to do his military service in Russia and is required to spend the rest of his career with SKA...isn't there a similar risk with Michkov or maybe the situation is different?

 

[Toene]

Do you think Vladimir Putin looks back on Ovechkin's career and thinks that it would've been better if OV spent his whole career in the KHL? Of course not. The best Russian player wowed the whole hockey world and broke records for close to two decades in the best league (in Washington motherf***ing D.C. to boot the capital of their geopolitical nemesis) and won the most prestigious hockey trophy while adding a Conn Smythe.

I'm disgustingly homer on everything Quebec, but if a Quebecois dude was among the elite prospects in football (soccer) and he was offered a contract by Real Madrid or ManU on the biggest stage, I certainly wouldn't want him to stay here to play with l'Impact (or whatever's their name now, IDC I'll always say "Impact") for dumb sentimental reason. If he wants, bring him here for a few seasons in the twilight of his career to destroy our shit feeder league.

It would be a complete waste of an opportunity to showcase a talent from your nation to the whole world. Especially within the context of being the international villains who'll need to eventually redeem themselves in some way if they want to reintegrate the global community after this mess.

 

[sheed36]

I've already assumed that the Habs won't pick Michkov and that Smith and Leo go 3r and 4th OA although holding out some hope that SJ goes with Michkov. We know the Jackets have spoken of their interest in Smith, I wouldn't be surprised if he goes and then SJ takes Carlsson over Michkov. So what would the Habs do at 5 if Michkov is a ND due to being Russian. Trade down, take another blueliner, go with Leonard? Please don't say trade it for PLD, it makes me want to puke every time I see someone suggest the Habs should be trading futures for help now unless the price is too good to pass up but then again I would have burnt this shit to the ground so I clearly would have already done things differently going into this season.

I think the Habs will most likely end up just taking Leonard or Reinbacher @ 5 but I'd still be looking to maybe trade down if Michkov is still on the board @ 5 and a no draft, but no further than 9th. Not sure what the price would be but it would have to be a pretty significant add for me to move down possibly 4 spots and out of the top 5 this year.

The Habs would still get one of Leonard, Benson, Dvorsky, Reinbacher, or someone else they like but wouldn't reach for with the 5th pick but would take 8th or 9th. Wood or Moore maybe?

 

[26Mats]

https://www.tvasports.ca/2023/06/07/matvei-michkov--cest-dur-de-passer-par-dessus

 

[HabzSauce]

I think this city will explode if we get michkov.

I really really hope we get him he would be absolutely electric and the fans at bell center (our biggest advantage) would be going nuts every game.

If not michkov I'd be happy with Leonard. Will smith I need more time but right now I'm not a fan. He is a wizard offensively but I dont like his two way game or his grit. Maybe he can improve that but it worries me

 

[Kennerback]

leonard would be solid pick

He might be very good. But I just don’t get Leonard. He doesn’t have a classic package at all. Do you know a comparable to Leonard in the last 40 years?
What’s the gold standard for a player like that in the NHL?

-winger
-A good skater but not a big puck possession player
-Scores goals more than assists(since novice has never had more assists than goals ever)
-Good shooter adept at picking up junk around the net
-OK stickhandler
-Perhaps in the 5’11 to 6’0 range (we’ll know this week)
-Chases body checks

What are we talking about here???

 

[sandviper]

He might be very good. But I just don’t get Leonard. He doesn’t have a classic package at all. Do you know a comparable to Leonard in the last 40 years?
What’s the gold standard for a player like that in the NHL?

-winger
-A good skater but not a big puck possession player
-Scores goals more than assists(since novice has never had more assists than goals ever)
-Good shooter adept at picking up junk around the net
-OK stickhandler
-Perhaps in the 5’11 to 6’0 range (we’ll know this week)
-Chases body checks

What are we talking about here???

I’ve read comparisons to a higher effort version of JT Miller. I’ve also seen him compared to Oliver Bjorkstrand.

I like him but not sure I’d be happy with him at #5. If we’re not taking Michkov or Smith, I’d rather Reinbacher.

 

[waffledave]

Here is now the combined ranking of the top-10 of 2022 and 2023
Here are Pronman's

1. Connor Bedard - C (WHL)
2. Adam Fantilli - C (USHL)
3. Matvei Michkov - AD (KHL)
4. Leo Carlsson - C (SHL)
5. Will Smith - C (USHL)
6. Juraj Slafkovsky - LW (Canadians)
7. Logan Cooley - C (Coyotes)
8. David Jiricek - DD (Blue Jackets)
9. David Reinbacher - DD (Switzerland)
10. Shane Wright - C (Kraken)
11. Cutter Gauthier - C (Flyers)
12. Kevin Korchinski - LB (Blackhawks)
13. Dalibor Dvorsky - C (Sweden)
14. Ryan Leonard - RW (USHL)
15. Simon Nemec - DD (Devils)
16. Gabriel Perreault - LW (USHL)
17. Marco Kasper - C (Red Wings)
18. Zach Benson - LW (WHL)
19. Matthew Savoie - C (Sabers)
20. Pavel Mintyukov - GM (Ducks)

Lane Hutson belongs there.

 

[Pazucha]

Here is now the combined ranking of the top-10 of 2022 and 2023
Here are Pronman's

1. Connor Bedard - C (WHL)
2. Adam Fantilli - C (USHL)
3. Matvei Michkov - AD (KHL)
4. Leo Carlsson - C (SHL)
5. Will Smith - C (USHL)
6. Juraj Slafkovsky - LW (Canadians)
7. Logan Cooley - C (Coyotes)
8. David Jiricek - DD (Blue Jackets)
9. David Reinbacher - DD (Switzerland)
10. Shane Wright - C (Kraken)
11. Cutter Gauthier - C (Flyers)
12. Kevin Korchinski - LB (Blackhawks)
13. Dalibor Dvorsky - C (Sweden)
14. Ryan Leonard - RW (USHL)
15. Simon Nemec - DD (Devils)
16. Gabriel Perreault - LW (USHL)
17. Marco Kasper - C (Red Wings)
18. Zach Benson - LW (WHL)
19. Matthew Savoie - C (Sabers)
20. Pavel Mintyukov - GM (Ducks)

Not a fan of these lists where they merge two years into one. Ranking two draft years together is impossible. The age gap between some of those players could be 2 years.

You have much more info and data about the (22) than the (23) group. Also everyone is looking at the (23) group still with rose colored glasses.

 

[sampollock]

Like to hear Leonard is a very good skater... that is a real big plus

I know I have aske this before.. but...

Does anyone seen a good draft magazine on the stands? I know some do online.. I like the mag as well, old school

somethings I read on Leonard

Leonard is already showcasing the skillset of a dominant two-way forward. He has a strong ice presence and is able to put himself in the position to make the right play on the puck to generate opportunities for his team. Also, while he doesn’t have the biggest frame at rough 6-foot tall, he plays strong on his skates and is showcasing the ability to knock players off the puck.

 

[sampollock]

Leonard is dangerous with the puck in the offensive zone, possessing a pro-calibre shot and hands. He is incredibly deceptive, using his upper body and eyes to turn defenders’ feet and sticks before walking around them or getting a shot on net. Leonard is a great facilitator, as well. After making a move, he can find guys in stride in dangerous spots. An above-average skater, Leonard can employ all of these tools off the rush too, making him even more versatile. -EliteProspects 2023

 

[sampollock]

I dont think 2-5 will go as planned
one team will upset the list

 

[Adam Michaels]