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

[HabbyGuy]

If Michkov falls to the 5th slot, and the Habs pass and he turns out to be the 2nd best player in this draft, some fans will never forgive Hughes.

Hughes is much too smart not to know that.

One would hope.

And again the reason I struggle with the moving up for Smith, because if the result you portrayed with Michkov ending up the 2nd best player. You'd think the fans would be doubly upset that he gave up assets to avoid drafting Michkov for a lesser talent.

 

[Runner77]

One would hope. And again the reason I struggle with the moving up for Smith, because if the result you portrayed with Michkov ending up the 2nd best player. You'd think the fans would be doubly upset that he gave up assets to avoid drafting Michkov for a lesser talent.

Probably the reason we’ve seen rumblings that Hughes was trying to move up to the 2nd slot. Only then would he have a near unanimous fan base on side.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Probably the reason we’ve seen rumblings that Hughes was trying to move up to the 2nd slot. Only then would he have a near unanimous fan base on side.

That would make far more sense. Hence, my thought that moving up to 4th doesn't compute unless it's for Michkov. Atleast in the scenario described. (with Michkov ending up the 2nd best player in the draft)

So I'd think for Hughes, staying pat is his best option, and just take Michkov at 5 if he's there. If he's not he can breathe a sigh of relief or chagrin and choose whoever he wants.

Unless ofcourse after doing their due diligence they will have confirmed Michkov is indeed an undesirable that cannot be redeemed.

Which I personally am having a hard time believing.

MSL with Michkov is found gold to me.



Someone please convince me I'm wrong. Because I don't understand how this doesn't make sense and it's doing my head in.

If anyone can relate the deep desire for a bonified offensive star, it's surely us hab fans and I would hope Hughes himself.

Why wouldn't we take our shot???

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Probably the reason we’ve seen rumblings that Hughes was trying to move up to the 2nd slot. Only then would he have a near unanimous fan base on side.

Imagine if PLD gets traded/signs with Anaheim instead.. 2nd for Caufield+, again?

 

[crosbyshow]

One thing i’m scared from Benson, is that yes he is small. But from seeing videos of him at the combine, he has one of the smallest frame i have ever seen. My god. I question the fact of how much more weight and mass he will be able to put. Frame looks even worst than hutson lol

Can't be worse than Gretzky's and Ribeiro's frame.

Not a bad career for those 2 and they were never injured until late in their career.

Pat Kane has no frame as well and he is never injured.

On the other hand..big horses like Lindros and Lemieux were always injured.

People put too much focus on that

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

One thing i’m scared from Benson, is that yes he is small. But from seeing videos of him at the combine, he has one of the smallest frame i have ever seen. My god. I question the fact of how much more weight and mass he will be able to put. Frame looks even worst than hutson lol

I stood next to Caufield the weekend he was drafted and felt exactly the same. This little boy is the Habs future?

So who knows what the future holds is all I’m getting at.

 

[waffledave]

Someone please convince me I'm wrong. Because I don't understand how this doesn't make sense and it's doing my head in.

If anyone can relate the deep desire for a bonified offensive star, it's surely us hab fans and I would hope Hughes himself.

Why wouldn't we take our shot???

Smith will be a bigger star in the NHL than Michkov. He's more talented, much better on his skates and a higher compete level.

 

[Milhouse40]

If Michkov falls to the 5th slot, and the Habs pass and he turns out to be the 2nd best player in this draft, some fans will never forgive Hughes.

Hughes is much too smart not to know that.

Hugues is also much too smart to know that scenario could only happens in 3 years from now......and if the team is winning by then, no one will really gives a shit. If the team is not winning by then, he's probably on a hot seat anyway!

That would make far more sense. Hence, my thought that moving up to 4th doesn't compute unless it's for Michkov. Atleast in the scenario described. (with Michkov ending up the 2nd best player in the draft)

So I'd think for Hughes, staying pat is his best option, and just take Michkov at 5 if he's there. If he's not he can breathe a sigh of relief or chagrin and choose whoever he wants.

Unless ofcourse after doing their due diligence they will have confirmed Michkov is indeed an undesirable that cannot be redeemed.

Which I personally am having a hard time believing.

MSL with Michkov is found gold to me.



Someone please convince me I'm wrong. Because I don't understand how this doesn't make sense and it's doing my head in.

If anyone can relate the deep desire for a bonified offensive star, it's surely us hab fans and I would hope Hughes himself.

Why wouldn't we take our shot???

First, I was 100% sure last year Wright was their pick. Sooo.....maybe you'll get what you want in the end cause I'm 100% sure they will not take Michkov.

Michkov is 2026-2027 If EVERYTHING goes well.
Most players drafted around that spot will help their team by 2024-2025

With everything that could go wrong, from the geopolitics reasons, the contract situation, injuries or just as many many prospect do, Michkov just become a good 65-70 points NHLer.

How many scenario you see Hugues being a winner here?
ONE.

The ONLY scenario Hugues becomes a winner here is that EVERYTHING must go perfectly. From development to him coming in 3 years and not resign there AND he must become that 90+ points player, savior of this franchise.

There's a lot more scenario that could make him a loser than a winner on this one.

Plus, ask Suzuki and Caufield what they think about waiting 3 more years before getting help when they could get a Smith or Leonard or whatever helping them in 12 months most likely......Suzuki will be at the draft, right?

 

[HabbyGuy]

Hugues is also much too smart to know that scenario could only happens in 3 years from now......and if the team is winning by then, no one will really gives a shit. If the team is not winning by then, he's probably on a hot seat anyway!


First, I was 100% sure last year Wright was their pick. Sooo.....maybe you'll get what you want in the end cause I'm 100% sure they will not take Michkov.

Michkov is 2026-2027 If EVERYTHING goes well.
Most players drafted around that spot will help their team by 2024-2025

With everything that could go wrong, from the geopolitics reasons, the contract situation, injuries or just as many many prospect do, Michkov just become a good 65-70 points NHLer.

How many scenario you see Hugues being a winner here?
ONE.

The ONLY scenario Hugues becomes a winner here is that EVERYTHING must go perfectly. From development to him coming in 3 years and not resign there AND he must become that 90+ points player, savior of this franchise.

There's a lot more scenario that could make him a loser than a winner on this one.

Plus, ask Suzuki and Caufield what they think about waiting 3 more years before getting help when they could get a Smith or Leonard or whatever helping them in 12 months most likely......Suzuki will be at the draft, right?

1. I'm not expecting any great dividends from any of the prospects we may draft for atleast 3 years anyway.

2. As for winning scenarios for Hughes, he has just as many losing ones if not more with any pick he chooses. Especially if Michkov is as good as I think he is.

3. It is of my belief and most scouts I think would agree, that Michkov has the highest ceiling potential of any of our choices that may be available to us.

So in a nutshell I can't say I agree with your talking points.

I do appreciate your response though.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Hugues is also much too smart to know that scenario could only happens in 3 years from now......and if the team is winning by then, no one will really gives a shit. If the team is not winning by then, he's probably on a hot seat anyway!


First, I was 100% sure last year Wright was their pick. Sooo.....maybe you'll get what you want in the end cause I'm 100% sure they will not take Michkov.

Michkov is 2026-2027 If EVERYTHING goes well.
Most players drafted around that spot will help their team by 2024-2025

With everything that could go wrong, from the geopolitics reasons, the contract situation, injuries or just as many many prospect do, Michkov just become a good 65-70 points NHLer.

How many scenario you see Hugues being a winner here?
ONE.

The ONLY scenario Hugues becomes a winner here is that EVERYTHING must go perfectly. From development to him coming in 3 years and not resign there AND he must become that 90+ points player, savior of this franchise.

There's a lot more scenario that could make him a loser than a winner on this one.

Plus, ask Suzuki and Caufield what they think about waiting 3 more years before getting help when they could get a Smith or Leonard or whatever helping them in 12 months most likely......Suzuki will be at the draft, right?

Bingo.
Not to mention which is also lost in the shuffle. We don't have any Russian player on the team (yes I know Gurianov but I don't expect him to stay) and very few in the pipeline, only longshot at best. It is WAY harder to integrate a russian player if you have no ressources to support him within the room not to mention that Hughes seems like a character type of guy and he likes talking face to face with prospects and I doubt he will have the chance with Michkov.

Overall, very few indicator that the Habs will go for him other than hopeful fans

 

[Runner77]

Hugues is also much too smart to know that scenario could only happens in 3 years from now......and if the team is winning by then, no one will really gives a shit. If the team is not winning by then, he's probably on a hot seat anyway!

All we know is that Hughes has rope right now. Hopefully he’s not using it as a noose around his neck cause this talent rich draft can bite him back.

 

[SlafySZN]

Bingo.
Not to mention which is also lost in the shuffle. We don't have any Russian player on the team (yes I know Gurianov but I don't expect him to stay) and very few in the pipeline. It is WAY harder to integrate a russian player if you have no ressources to support him within the room not to mention that Hughes seems like a character type of guy and he likes talking face to face with prospects and I doubt he will have the chance with Michkov.

Overall, very few indicator that the Habs will go for him other than hopeful fans

They’ll probably meet Michkov couple of days before de draft, thought. They’ll have their choice set by then i assume so i don’t really think one meeting with him will change anything.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

1. I'm not expecting any great dividends from any of the prospects we may draft for atleast 3 years anyway.

2. As for winning scenarios for Hughes, he has just as many losing ones if not more with any pick he chooses. Especially if Michkov is as good as I think he is.

3. It is of my belief and most scouts I think would agree, that Michkov has the highest ceiling potential of any of our choices that may be available to us.

So in a nutshell I can't say I agree with your talking points.

I do appreciate your response though.

Who cares what most pseudo scout believe, they are wrong every year too. This is not a fantasy roster. You want to build a championship team and make the playoff sooner than later.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Bingo.
Not to mention which is also lost in the shuffle. We don't have any Russian player on the team (yes I know Gurianov but I don't expect him to stay) and very few in the pipeline, only longshot at best. It is WAY harder to integrate a russian player if you have no ressources to support him within the room not to mention that Hughes seems like a character type of guy and he likes talking face to face with prospects and I doubt he will have the chance with Michkov.

Overall, very few indicator that the Habs will go for him other than hopeful fans

I'm sorry but this seems like a pretty weak reason not to draft a Russian phenom who's collected many records in his young career. Hockey has a language all it's own.

Who cares what most pseudo scout believe, they are wrong every year too. This is not a fantasy roster. You want to build a championship team and make the playoff sooner than later.

You're telling me it's your belief that choosing anyone else above Michkov will get us quicker to being a contender because why?

As for not caring what scouts believe, what are you guaging your preferences on? If they're your own assertations are you not just as susceptible to being wrong as they are?

 

[Whalers Fan]

Hugues is also much too smart to know that scenario could only happens in 3 years from now......and if the team is winning by then, no one will really gives a shit. If the team is not winning by then, he's probably on a hot seat anyway!


First, I was 100% sure last year Wright was their pick. Sooo.....maybe you'll get what you want in the end cause I'm 100% sure they will not take Michkov.

Michkov is 2026-2027 If EVERYTHING goes well.
Most players drafted around that spot will help their team by 2024-2025

With everything that could go wrong, from the geopolitics reasons, the contract situation, injuries or just as many many prospect do, Michkov just become a good 65-70 points NHLer.

How many scenario you see Hugues being a winner here?
ONE.

The ONLY scenario Hugues becomes a winner here is that EVERYTHING must go perfectly. From development to him coming in 3 years and not resign there AND he must become that 90+ points player, savior of this franchise.

There's a lot more scenario that could make him a loser than a winner on this one.

Plus, ask Suzuki and Caufield what they think about waiting 3 more years before getting help when they could get a Smith or Leonard or whatever helping them in 12 months most likely......Suzuki will be at the draft, right?

Chance are good that Smith and Leonard play two seasons in the NCAA.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I'm sorry but this seems like a pretty weak reason not to draft a Russian phenom who's collected many records in his young career. Hockey has a language all it's own.



You're telling me it's your belief that choosing anyone else above Michkov will get us quicker to being a contender because why?

As for not caring what scouts believe, what are you guaging your preferences on? If they're your own assertations are you not just as susceptible to being wrong as they are?

My point is that if Michkov fall (which is likely) many fans all around this board will lose their mind and believe they know better than pro teams with data, scouts, psychologist, etc.

As for not selecting Michkov well you have 3 more years to wait for Michkov + language barrier + KHL lurking around. If the players comes in, he would expect to be a 1st line player and if he is not satisfied or under perform there is a good chance he bolt back to Russia. It's not guaranteed his integration would be like Kaprizov who went well. It could be anothee Gusev or Dadonov or Kravtsov.

As if the hockey team are dumb and all people outside are smart.

 

[Milhouse40]

1. I'm not expecting any great dividends from any of the prospects we may draft for atleast 3 years anyway.

2. As for winning scenarios for Hughes, he has just as many losing ones if not more with any pick he chooses. Especially if Michkov is as good as I think he is.

3. It is of my belief and most scouts I think would agree, that Michkov has the highest ceiling potential of any of our choices that may be available to us.

So in a nutshell I can't say I agree with your talking points.

I do appreciate your response though.

If this draft is as good as some say, comparable at 2015, then tons of players will be helping their team by D+1 as it's always the case, good draft/bad draft.

Marner was putting a 61pts season at D+1
Hanifin put up 29 pts season at D+1.....in his second season
PLD that we talk a lot about, 48 pts seasons at D+1 and 61pts at D+2
Tkachuk it's 48, 49 and 77 pts seasons playing right away in the league
Petterson 66pts season at D+1

There will be player helping their team already for sure.......and Michkov might be the best prospect in this draft, doesn't mean he'll be the best NHLer, it's far from the 1st highly touted prospect that don't come as good as advertise, actually happens every year.

But see it as a good thing......I was so wrong last year and I felt the same way about them not going for Slafkovsky for 1000's of reasons

 

[Milhouse40]

Chance are good that Smith and Leonard play two seasons in the NCAA.

Zero chance for Smith.....highly doubt for Leonard as his game will translate very well in the NHL and he's already physically ready to go.

 

[HabbyGuy]

My point is that if Michkov fall (which is likely) many fans all around this board will lose their mind and believe they know better than pro teams with data, scouts, psychologist, etc.

As if the hockey team are dumb and all people outside are smart.

I have said if anyone will know the truth about these supposed unsubstantiated red flags floating around the internet it will be our habs. If they pass that means they will have decided he is indeed an undesirable that's not redeemable. If this is true I have no problem with it.

I'm just having problems believing the habs will feel this way. He is far too talented and gifted a hockey player to seem irredeemable. Because he may or may not have threw a tantrum as a teenager or his ego was too big.

Because as a hockey player while not perfect, he has enormous potential.

I am not worried about the 3 year wait, and actually believe it will help us in the long run construct our team in the meantime. His ELC by the time he arrives will be a huge bonus in that regard.

While not a guarantee, I don't see how Michkov can bust, other than geopolitical issues that have nothing to do with him.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

See this is where I struggle. No matter how talented Smith is. I don't believe he belongs in the top 4 tier with Bedard, Fantill, Carlsson and Michkov.

I believe Smith is in the next tier. So moving up for him doesn't compute for me. (I'll gladly take him at 5 though)

Unless as you say the habs are adamant about avoiding Michkov at all costs. Which from a hockey talent standpoint I also struggle with.

Especially when Hughes emphatically stated they'll take the BPA.

This draft can't come quick enough. It's killing me.

I

So 3yrs?….might as well go with Michkov the superior talent.

I’ll be honest, if we’re picking Benson at 5 I will be in a bad mood, I want Michkov, Leonard, Smith or Reinbacher at that spot.

benson is better than both Leonard/Reinbacher. Your anger would be unfounded imo.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Michkov should do this for the Canadiens

 

[OnTheRun]

View attachment 719092
Michkov should do this for the Canadiens

Because he grew up idolizing former KHL legend Wideman.

 

[Whalers Fan]

Zero chance for Smith.....highly doubt for Leonard as his game will translate very well in the NHL and he's already physically ready to go.

Zero chance? Luke Hughes and Logan Cooley are two recent top 5 picks out of the NTDP who played (or will play) two NCAA seasons. Chances are higher than 0%.

 

[Kennerback]

My point is that if Michkov fall (which is likely) many fans all around this board will lose their mind and believe they know better than pro teams with data, scouts, psychologist, etc.

As for not selecting Michkov well you have 3 more years to wait for Michkov + language barrier + KHL lurking around. If the players comes in, he would expect to be a 1st line player and if he is not satisfied or under perform there is a good chance he bolt back to Russia. It's not guaranteed his integration would be like Kaprizov who went well. It could be anothee Gusev or Dadonov or Kravtsov.

As if the hockey team are dumb and all people outside are smart.

Hockey wise, if he’s there, I don’t care what the pros say, I know for a fact he’s the clear BPA@5. Not only that, but I will suspect there’s monkey business that happened.

Like the GM goes; f*** you scouting staff I’m picking who I dam feel like. You guys are 15 scouting pros and do this full time, we’re 1,2 or 3 at the most and do this part time, f*** you, we decide.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Hockey wise, if he’s there, I don’t care what the pros say, I know for a fact he’s the clear BPA@5. Not only that, but I will suspect there’s monkey business that happened.

Cool do you also know what are the next lottery number?