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

[WeThreeKings]

How about we get an interesting team and focus on talent before worrying about the playoffs.

The Toronto model, I like it!

 

[waitin425]

This is not remotely true. I've consistently praised the MSL hire, the Caufield extension, the Petry/Matheson trade, and all the sales in the first trade deadline.

Why is the tendency to take aim at me instead of engaging in a constructive discussion? You got it flat-out wrong too, to boot.

I don't know man, it seems like every post I read from you is nothing but negativity and downplaying our picks. Some of your stuff is good and I appreciate some of the perspectives. Maybe I am feeling a little sensitive this morning, and you set me off with yet more comments on how shitty of a pick you think Slaf is.

I apologize for calling you out.

 

[The Real Timo]

The Toronto model, I like it!

... but with moar CHaracter.

 

[armChairScout]

No way Smith goes ahead of Carlsson IMO. Columbus is gonna pick the European kid.

I think the American team take the American kid equal standing

 

[Jaynki]

Your comments are never boring, that's not a worry with which you should concern yourself.

We have slightly different views on the same thing. That's fine. You say there aren't any guarantees but you go on to say that Dach could eclipse all the aforementioned players (and it would therefore make the two tank seasons look good in summary) but that's not guaranteed either. Tanking doesn't always bear the best, ripest fruit and as someone who is opposed to year-on-year tanking I definitely agree. I also admire the Vegas approach of aggressive team building and expectations, so you're preaching to the choir.

The next few days will be nervy for sure. Ultimately we will root for whoever the Habs pick but I still predict the tone of the discussions will be a lot less light and forgiving if Hughes goes off-the-board and reaches down for one of Leonard, Dvorsky, or Reinbacher instead of one of the more skill-and-production upside players like Smith or Benson. Because once the hype dies down, and we sober up a bit, we will look at the prospect pool and still see the same damn glaring hole: no PPG upside prospect for the XXth year in a row.

(Michkov is difficult to pin down, I'd rather not concern myself thinking about him so as to not be disappointed if what I'm afraid of happening happens.)

On a side note, I've just published a post about Rebuilding and how I think we have enough evidence to say the Habs are no longer in a Rebuilding Phase. It is on my substack (I'm not sure if I'm permitted to link to it, but the link is found below my profile picture) and I've also posted it as a HFBoards article though it is under review. @waitin425 should give it a read.

Thank you ReHabs.

I completely agree with your post here. I will also take a look at your substack.

BenchBrawl posted about how a GM day-to-day operation are not telling about his reign, but a 5-7 moves in a decade will define their reign.

It's fair to say that HuGo betted hard on Slafkovsky and Dach and its obviously yes still up in the air.

I also hope we end up with one of the more offensive oriented player like Smith or Benson (if not Michkov.) Hopefully Smith falls to us, he is very impressive and makes hockey fun.

 

[WinterLion]

Get us a stud Hughes!! I don't give a crap about consensus or value...I don't care if he 5'6 or 6'7 just get us a warrior!!!

 

[NORiculous]

The Toronto model, I like it!

haha funny guy.

Might want to change your username to “WeFourKings” because you knocked another one out of the park

 

[waffledave]

I guess it'll just have to be a wait and see kind of thing, I know I'm looking forward to it's results.

But what if in 3 years by the time Michkov comes over, Smith already has 2 seasons under his belt, a Calder trophy and a 70 point season? And Michkov is dazzling and impressive but only puts up 40 points in his first year. Is that enough to say Smith was the better pick? Or do we need to give Michkov more time? How long?

 

[sampollock]

But what if in 3 years by the time Michkov comes over, Smith already has 2 seasons under his belt, a Calder trophy and a 70 point season? And Michkov is dazzling and impressive but only puts up 40 points in his first year. Is that enough to say Smith was the better pick? Or do we need to give Michkov more time? How long?

that is the key
3 years from now is far away.
Smith in that time is a soild NHL player and the team is stronger by then

 

[NORiculous]

But what if in 3 years by the time Michkov comes over, Smith already has 2 seasons under his belt, a Calder trophy and a 70 point season? And Michkov is dazzling and impressive but only puts up 40 points in his first year. Is that enough to say Smith was the better pick? Or do we need to give Michkov more time? How long?

I would take either of those two guys over anyone not named Bedard and Fantilli.

 

[JoelWarlord]

I get the argument about not reaching/passing on talent but I think we're really moving the goalposts if that same argument which was initially applied to Michkov and then Smith is now being applied to Benson. I like Benson a lot but don't see how Leonard or Reinbacher are somehow a "reach" relative to him.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Someone send this article to Hughes

 

[Andrei79]

Someone send this article to Hughes

View attachment 719429

Is that Pronman ? If I had to guess, NHL teams likely see his opinion on a similar tier as HF posters.

 

[Habsfan18]

You hardly ever have a chance to draft a talent like Michkov, let alone at 5th overall. It’d be an extremely hard sell to your fanbase when you pass up on that opportunity.

And an even harder sell to go with the “unsexy” pick in Reinbacher. That won’t be pretty, and we all know it.

We talk about wanting to add elite talent to the roster. It’s right there staring you in the face.

 

[McGees]

Someone send this article to Hughes

View attachment 719429

Wonder if he praises him as much as he liked Grigorenko at #1

 

[ReHabs]

I get the argument about not reaching/passing on talent but I think we're really moving the goalposts if that same argument which was initially applied to Michkov and then Smith is now being applied to Benson. I like Benson a lot but don't see how Leonard or Reinbacher are somehow a "reach" relative to him.

Benson is considered at worst the fourth best playmaker of the draft. It is likely the case that two of him, Smith, and Michkov will be available at 5OA; almost certainly one of them will be there at 5.

There is no better opportunity for the Habs organization to acquire a coveted and long-necessary blue chip forward.

 

[WeThreeKings]

You hardly ever have a chance to draft a talent like Michkov, let alone at 5th overall. It’d be an extremely hard sell to your fanbase when you pass up on that opportunity.

And an even harder sell to go with the “unsexy” pick in Reinbacher. That won’t be pretty, and we all know it.

We talk about wanting to add elite talent to the roster. It’s right there staring you in the face.

What if people realized Reinbacher was only outproduced in the NLA by Auston Matthews?

Maybe they'd stop seeing him as unsexy.. he's very f***ing sexy, he just hasn't dangled people in a highlight video so people think he's a lumbering oaf.

 

[Habsfan18]

What if people realized Reinbacher was only outproduced in the NLA by Auston Matthews?

Maybe they'd stop seeing him as unsexy.. he's very f***ing sexy, he just hasn't dangled people in a highlight video so people think he's a lumbering oaf.

I’m not saying Reinbacher isn’t an intriguing player, I’m saying he’s clearly viewed as a “unsexy” pick to fanbases when the alternatives are high skill forwards such as Michkov and Smith.

You and I both know the fanbase will collectively lose its mind if we choose Reinbacher over Michkov. I doubt the organization cares. But you know what the reaction will be.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

What if people realized Reinbacher was only outproduced in the NLA by Auston Matthews?

Maybe they'd stop seeing him as unsexy.. he's very f***ing sexy, he just hasn't dangled people in a highlight video so people think he's a lumbering oaf.

I think he's going to be a very good player in the mold of a Seabrook which would be the perfect partner for Hutson. I just think this team has been so starved of elite offensive talent for so long that to pass on it (and I know the circumstances are fairly unique) would be hard to swallow.

If we took Reinbacher we'd be set on D for the next 15 years, I just think there's a bigger drop off in forward talent later in most drafts than there is in defenseman talent.

For instance, I'd rather have Smith/Michkov at 5 and Akey/Strbak at 31 than Reinbacher at 5 and Gauthier/Ziemmer at 31.

 

[McGees]

What if people realized Reinbacher was only outproduced in the NLA by Auston Matthews?

Maybe they'd stop seeing him as unsexy.. he's very f***ing sexy, he just hasn't dangled people in a highlight video so people think he's a lumbering oaf.

I think most felt bleh with the Guhle pick now have them on their untouchable lists...
Most 20+ minute Dmen aren't necessarily sexy picks but they likely DO help you win more than the guy doing spinoramas against 3 guys in the neutral zone.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I think most felt bleh with the Guhle pick now have them on their untouchable lists...
Most 20+ minute Dmen aren't necessarily sexy picks but they likely DO help you win more than the guy doing spinoramas against 3 guys in the neutral zone.

I like Guhle a lot but he still has a lot of development to go to be a legitimate top 2 defenseman. I'm happy we picked him, but I wanted Mercer at the time of the draft and he's looking like he'd have been a perfect fit with us.

Time will tell, and Guhle certainly has the higher potential.

 

[26Mats]

I think most felt bleh with the Guhle pick now have them on their untouchable lists...
Most 20+ minute Dmen aren't necessarily sexy picks but they likely DO help you win more than the guy doing spinoramas against 3 guys in the neutral zone.

This.

Flashy guys like Michkov and Benson tend to catch the eye. But. a good solid defender may have a higher impact on winning.

It's out of my hands. I want Michkov. But I will hope for the best from whoever HuGo pick.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I don't discredit wanting a high octane offensive forward.. I've been starved for it just like everyone else.

But if they're passing on Michkov, they're passing on Michkov... one thing you realize is that you can't expect someone to have the same risk tolerance as you, especially when you have 0 skin in the game and aren't privvy to all the information.

After that, we just have to hope that they get the right player..

 

[Andrei79]

I remember when people aggressively wanted Wright and scoffed at all the red flags that were being brought up, to the point there were insults flying around.

It's cool that everyone learned from that experience from a year ago and are showing a lot more openness and flexibility in their thinking.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I remember when people aggressively wanted Wright and scoffed at all the red flags that were being brought up, to the point there were insults flying around.

It's cool that everyone learned from that experience from a year ago and are showing a lot more openness and flexibility in their thinking.

I felt last year was the year to go with a defenseman in Nemec. We didn't, but I don't think that changes my opinion that we should go for Michkov this year. A lot of the red flags are pure speculation.