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

[Canadienna]

The rumours about Michkov angling for a specific org are a little worrisome after trading away our last two drafted Russians.

If he doesn't want to play for the Habs then there's no sense drafting him.

 

[dinodebino]

This is boring. I want some action.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

For what it's worth, you should probably apply that same reasoning to the hype articles that anoint Michkov as the next Gretzky. Especially since basically none of us have seen him play a full game since 2021.

@montreal has a youtube channel with several VHL and KHL games of Michkov from this season. Stop spreading BS. He even posted the link in one of the draft threads.

 

[Adam Michaels]

For fun, I looked at Elite Prospects and checked out some of the draft rankings they have from different outlets. I only looked at the ones who are listed as Final Rankings and not some of the ones who are still Mid-Season or April/May rankings. Someone like McKenzie, as we know, doesn't have his final rankings until not long before the draft.

So for the ones with Final Rankings, the guys they each have listed at 5th Overall:

Elite Prospects: Zach Benson (Mihckov is off the board. Leonard listed at 6th & Smith at 7th).
The Hockey News: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Dvorsky at 6th, Leonard at 7th & Benson at 8th)
FC Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th and Dvorsky at 7th.... Leonard at 22nd)
Chris Peters of Flo Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Wood at 7th & Benson at 8th)
McKeen's: Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Benson at 6th, Dvorsky at 7th & Leonard at 8th)
Craig Button: Axel Sandin Pellikka (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Sale at 7th.... Leonard at 12th & Benson at 14th)
Shane Malloy of Hockey Prospects Radio: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Moore at 7th & Benson at 9th)
Recruit Scouting (not McCagg): Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Carlsson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Dobber Prospects: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Moore at 7th & Leonard at 10th)
Draft Pro: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Smaht Scouting: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th & Leonard at 11th)


So out of all of these 11 Final Rankings, Habs are taking Will Smith in 5 of them, Benson in 3 of them, Michkov in 2 of them and Sandin Pellikka in 1 (Button).

I also specified that in the ones that didn't list Michkov, that he was off the board and not available at 5th in these rankings. The ones that had him available are the ones that had him going 5th (McKeen's & Recruit Scouting). Nobody among these listed Michkov lower than 5th.

 

[waffledave]

@montreal has a youtube channel with several VHL and KHL games of Michkov from this season. Stop spreading BS. He even posted the link in one of the draft threads.

Just because the video exists, doesn't mean people here are watching. Some are, many are not.

 

[Jack Skellington]

Going back and forth between all these prospects is getting tiring so I've decided I'm just going to decide who's the best one after the Habs draft them because I'm a f***in homer

 

[Gustave]

This is boring. I want some action.

Gros WE tranquille mon homme?

It's coming, there's always a shit ton from a couple of days prior to the draft to july 1st.

 

[Milhouse40]

This is boring. I want some action.

 

[Doc5]

I read this thread every day to get updates, each day I leave the thread wanting a new player. I’m wondering when exactly it went from a clear cut top 5 to now debating between Leonard, Reinbacher and Benson as well.

So when Hughes was happy that we remained at 5, one group is implying that it was to pick whoever’s left of the top 5, whereas one group is implying that it’s to get first dibs on this next tier.

Interesting.

 

[McGees]

For fun, I looked at Elite Prospects and checked out some of the draft rankings they have from different outlets. I only looked at the ones who are listed as Final Rankings and not some of the ones who are still Mid-Season or April/May rankings. Someone like McKenzie, as we know, doesn't have his final rankings until not long before the draft.

So for the ones with Final Rankings, the guys they each have listed at 5th Overall:

Elite Prospects: Zach Benson (Mihckov is off the board. Leonard listed at 6th & Smith at 7th).
The Hockey News: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Dvorsky at 6th, Leonard at 7th & Benson at 8th)
FC Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th and Dvorsky at 7th.... Leonard at 22nd)
Chris Peters of Flo Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Wood at 7th & Benson at 8th)
McKeen's: Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Benson at 6th, Dvorsky at 7th & Leonard at 8th)
Craig Button: Axel Sandin Pellikka (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Sale at 7th.... Leonard at 12th & Benson at 14th)
Shane Malloy of Hockey Prospects Radio: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Moore at 7th & Benson at 9th)
Recruit Scouting (not McCagg): Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Carlsson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Dobber Prospects: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Moore at 7th & Leonard at 10th)
Draft Pro: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Smaht Scouting: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th & Leonard at 11th)


So out of all of these 11 Final Rankings, Habs are taking Will Smith in 5 of them, Benson in 3 of them, Michkov in 2 of them and Sandin Pellikka in 1 (Button).

I also specified that in the ones that didn't list Michkov, that he was off the board and not available at 5th in these rankings. The ones that had him available are the ones that had him going 5th (McKeen's & Recruit Scouting). Nobody among these listed Michkov lower than 5th.

Yea but all are only ranking his on ice game, not all the other factors. We know he is very skilled to be ranked high but their is more to be considered when drafting.

 

[Gustave]

For fun, I looked at Elite Prospects and checked out some of the draft rankings they have from different outlets. I only looked at the ones who are listed as Final Rankings and not some of the ones who are still Mid-Season or April/May rankings. Someone like McKenzie, as we know, doesn't have his final rankings until not long before the draft.

So for the ones with Final Rankings, the guys they each have listed at 5th Overall:

Elite Prospects: Zach Benson (Mihckov is off the board. Leonard listed at 6th & Smith at 7th).
The Hockey News: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Dvorsky at 6th, Leonard at 7th & Benson at 8th)
FC Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th and Dvorsky at 7th.... Leonard at 22nd)
Chris Peters of Flo Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Wood at 7th & Benson at 8th)
McKeen's: Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Benson at 6th, Dvorsky at 7th & Leonard at 8th)
Craig Button: Axel Sandin Pellikka (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Sale at 7th.... Leonard at 12th & Benson at 14th)
Shane Malloy of Hockey Prospects Radio: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Moore at 7th & Benson at 9th)
Recruit Scouting (not McCagg): Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Carlsson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Dobber Prospects: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Moore at 7th & Leonard at 10th)
Draft Pro: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Smaht Scouting: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th & Leonard at 11th)


So out of all of these 11 Final Rankings, Habs are taking Will Smith in 5 of them, Benson in 3 of them, Michkov in 2 of them and Sandin Pellikka in 1 (Button).

I also specified that in the ones that didn't list Michkov, that he was off the board and not available at 5th in these rankings. The ones that had him available are the ones that had him going 5th (McKeen's & Recruit Scouting). Nobody among these listed Michkov lower than 5th.

ASP at fifth, mannnnnn. Imagine the depression around here

If someone takes Michkov top 4 i'll be flloored by the surprise. No one is taking that risk. We know it. Another year someone would take the chance, but not with Bedard Fantilli Carlsson Smith up there. Reports indicate a dropping closer to / in the 10's I guess if we are being objective.

 

[26Mats]

For fun, I looked at Elite Prospects and checked out some of the draft rankings they have from different outlets. I only looked at the ones who are listed as Final Rankings and not some of the ones who are still Mid-Season or April/May rankings. Someone like McKenzie, as we know, doesn't have his final rankings until not long before the draft.

So for the ones with Final Rankings, the guys they each have listed at 5th Overall:

Elite Prospects: Zach Benson (Mihckov is off the board. Leonard listed at 6th & Smith at 7th).
The Hockey News: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Dvorsky at 6th, Leonard at 7th & Benson at 8th)
FC Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th and Dvorsky at 7th.... Leonard at 22nd)
Chris Peters of Flo Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Wood at 7th & Benson at 8th)
McKeen's: Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Benson at 6th, Dvorsky at 7th & Leonard at 8th)
Craig Button: Axel Sandin Pellikka (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Sale at 7th.... Leonard at 12th & Benson at 14th)
Shane Malloy of Hockey Prospects Radio: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Moore at 7th & Benson at 9th)
Recruit Scouting (not McCagg): Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Carlsson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Dobber Prospects: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Moore at 7th & Leonard at 10th)
Draft Pro: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Smaht Scouting: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th & Leonard at 11th)


So out of all of these 11 Final Rankings, Habs are taking Will Smith in 5 of them, Benson in 3 of them, Michkov in 2 of them and Sandin Pellikka in 1 (Button).

I also specified that in the ones that didn't list Michkov, that he was off the board and not available at 5th in these rankings. The ones that had him available are the ones that had him going 5th (McKeen's & Recruit Scouting). Nobody among these listed Michkov lower than 5th.

Interesting, though I suspect the people making these rankings don't have much information regarding the Russian factor, and thus aren't taking it into account much when ranking Michkov.

So if the Russian factor is in fact a real negative for Michkov for NHL teams, they may have him ranked lower than these media outlets. Similarly with character.
These media outlets likely haven't interviewed him, while NHL teams may be able to before making their final list.

 

[WinterLion]

Going back and forth between all these prospects is getting tiring so I've decided I'm just going to decide who's the best one after the Habs draft them because I'm a f***in homer

There are a handful of guys I really like... so there will definitely be some buyers remorse this year.

 

[ReHabs]

For fun, I looked at Elite Prospects and checked out some of the draft rankings they have from different outlets. I only looked at the ones who are listed as Final Rankings and not some of the ones who are still Mid-Season or April/May rankings. Someone like McKenzie, as we know, doesn't have his final rankings until not long before the draft.

So for the ones with Final Rankings, the guys they each have listed at 5th Overall:

Elite Prospects: Zach Benson (Mihckov is off the board. Leonard listed at 6th & Smith at 7th).
The Hockey News: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Dvorsky at 6th, Leonard at 7th & Benson at 8th)
FC Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th and Dvorsky at 7th.... Leonard at 22nd)
Chris Peters of Flo Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Wood at 7th & Benson at 8th)
McKeen's: Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Benson at 6th, Dvorsky at 7th & Leonard at 8th)
Craig Button: Axel Sandin Pellikka (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Sale at 7th.... Leonard at 12th & Benson at 14th)
Shane Malloy of Hockey Prospects Radio: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Moore at 7th & Benson at 9th)
Recruit Scouting (not McCagg): Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Carlsson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Dobber Prospects: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Moore at 7th & Leonard at 10th)
Draft Pro: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Smaht Scouting: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th & Leonard at 11th)


So out of all of these 11 Final Rankings, Habs are taking Will Smith in 5 of them, Benson in 3 of them, Michkov in 2 of them and Sandin Pellikka in 1 (Button).

I also specified that in the ones that didn't list Michkov, that he was off the board and not available at 5th in these rankings. The ones that had him available are the ones that had him going 5th (McKeen's & Recruit Scouting). Nobody among these listed Michkov lower than 5th.

Huh, so you mean to tell us professional analysts and scouts don’t think the Habs should reach down and draft Dvorsky, Reinbacher, or Leonard? How strange, the same five individuals here were insisting on rotating through them three names specifically.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Yea but all are only ranking his on ice game, not all the other factors. We know he is very skilled to be ranked high but their is more to be considered when drafting.

Every prospect is ranked for their on ice games. Not just Michkov.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Every prospect is ranked for their on ice games. Not just Michkov.

True, but there are certainly more clouds of mystery due to external factors surrounding Michkov. There's no denying that. It's the only reason he'd even be available at 5.

Without that intel and strictly going by his on ice performace, he's not going to be there as most of these lists would imply. Nor should he be.

As much as I want him and would be disappointed he goes off the board before us. I'd find an ironic sense of peace knowing we didn't pass on him.

Admittedly if he is there and we pass, without knowing all the intel, I will struggle to understand it.

As dramatic as that may seem.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Just because the video exists, doesn't mean people here are watching. Some are, many are not.

That's quite a swing...

"Especially since basically none of us have seen him play"

The very definition of moving the goalposts.

 

[Milhouse40]

Terrible bold prediction

10 Bold Predictions for the 2023 NHL Draft - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

Now that it is less than two weeks away, I wanted to take this chance to make a few predictions about the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. While there’s no question…

thehockeywriters.com

 

[BehindTheTimes]

"Sometimes when I try to understand a person's motives, I play a little game. I assume the worst. What's the worst reason they could possibly have for saying what they say and doing what they do? Then I ask myself, 'How well does that reason explain what they say and what they do?" Petyr Baelish

-What they do and say : Sell we like Smith, Sell we like Leonard, sell we like Benson, sell we didn't even start looking at Michkov situation at the combine and introduce fear that he might sign an extension with his team. Talk to SJ about a possible trade up, talk even to ANA about number 2 spot....

-What I assume then : they want Michkov and want to make sure he there at 5

-How well that explains what they do and say : PERFECTLY
I imagine we entertain the trade up to spot 4 option to draft Smith until draft day, then decline because the price is too high. Grier, a rookie GM, won't just then give us Smith for free: why do habs want Smith that bad? Why habs don't want Michkov that bad? Montreal may have more russian connections with Bobrov than SJ. On a rookie GM, still trying to prove he legit, that might work.

PS: yeah I'm bored

Them doing all this because they want Michkov is the opposite of what is really happening. They don’t like him, so they are trying to avoid the fallout by assuring they get one of the top 5 without it being Michkov. If they are moving up, it’s virtually a guarantee they don’t want Michkov.

 

[Omar]

For fun, I looked at Elite Prospects and checked out some of the draft rankings they have from different outlets. I only looked at the ones who are listed as Final Rankings and not some of the ones who are still Mid-Season or April/May rankings. Someone like McKenzie, as we know, doesn't have his final rankings until not long before the draft.

So for the ones with Final Rankings, the guys they each have listed at 5th Overall:

Elite Prospects: Zach Benson (Mihckov is off the board. Leonard listed at 6th & Smith at 7th).
The Hockey News: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Dvorsky at 6th, Leonard at 7th & Benson at 8th)
FC Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th and Dvorsky at 7th.... Leonard at 22nd)
Chris Peters of Flo Hockey: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Wood at 7th & Benson at 8th)
McKeen's: Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Benson at 6th, Dvorsky at 7th & Leonard at 8th)
Craig Button: Axel Sandin Pellikka (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Sale at 7th.... Leonard at 12th & Benson at 14th)
Shane Malloy of Hockey Prospects Radio: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Leonard at 6th, Moore at 7th & Benson at 9th)
Recruit Scouting (not McCagg): Matvei Michkov (Smith is off the board. Carlsson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Dobber Prospects: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th, Moore at 7th & Leonard at 10th)
Draft Pro: Will Smith (Michkov is off the board. Benson at 6th & Leonard at 7th)
Smaht Scouting: Zach Benson (Michkov is off the board. Smith at 6th & Leonard at 11th)


So out of all of these 11 Final Rankings, Habs are taking Will Smith in 5 of them, Benson in 3 of them, Michkov in 2 of them and Sandin Pellikka in 1 (Button).

I also specified that in the ones that didn't list Michkov, that he was off the board and not available at 5th in these rankings. The ones that had him available are the ones that had him going 5th (McKeen's & Recruit Scouting). Nobody among these listed Michkov lower than 5th.

The point isn’t that most had us taking Smith, it’s that most had Michkov taken earlier.

 

[Habs]

Craig Button is the Joe Biden of critical thinking

 

[Omar]

Recruiter guy that's always on Marinaro's show says he would take Michcov or Reinbacher. He would not take Smith or Leonard. He likes Benson but he's small and he puts him around his 10th place, I think. He says if we don't take far and away the best talent available(after Bedard) then we should go for need and Reinbacher would be a top 2 D which we don't have(in his opinion).

I know we need talent upfront and we have a ton of young good D coming up but a franchise D is not too shabby.

There are so many defensemen next year you could get a top pairing guy lower. This is the draft to take offense.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Just because the video exists, doesn't mean people here are watching. Some are, many are not.

Also anyone who has ever done meaningful player evaluation understands that there's no substitute for live in-person viewing as there is so much to assess that happens away from camera shot (reads, positioning, play away from the puck, IQ etc).

 

[waffledave]

That's quite a swing...

"Especially since basically none of us have seen him play"

The very definition of moving the goalposts.

How many full games from 2023 have you seen Michkov play?

 

[HabbyGuy]

Terrible bold prediction

10 Bold Predictions for the 2023 NHL Draft - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

Now that it is less than two weeks away, I wanted to take this chance to make a few predictions about the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. While there’s no question…

thehockeywriters.com

Can't say I totally disagree with this premise...

Matvei Michkov, once seen as Bedard’s only real competition for first overall, is one of the most complicated prospects to evaluate in years. His contract situation, which will see him play another three full seasons in Russia, when coupled with the Russian Factor and the Russian war in the Ukraine have done serious damage to his draft stock, making it an open question where he will end up on draft day despite being a clear top-3 pick based on talent.



Some people are convincing themselves that he’s too risky of a player size/style wise, but I think those people just want a reason to pass on him because there are so many factors at play. Michkov has the talent to be a first overall pick in most normal drafts, but this year’s draft is far from normal and the teams at the top will be much more likely to take a safer pick in Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson than risk their job selecting Michkov.


However, once the top group of prospects are gone by fifth overall and the Montreal Canadiens are faced with the choice between risking the Michkov pick or selecting someone with a significantly lower talent level, that’s where the real drama will appear.