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

[NekkiChiconey]

Fantilli will be going 2nd. We know the jackets want a C. It will be either Carlsson or Smith. I'm starting to strongly believe that San Jose will pick Michkov at 4, no matter who's left. It just makes too much sense for them timeline-wise. In that case, we'll hope Carlsson's the odd man out, or we'll settle for Smith.

 

[Redux91]

I think we’ll take Michkov if he’s around. Why worry about this before it happens? Mitch might be gone third or fourth…

It's not worry so much as being prepared for disappointment lol
It's easy to say "well michkov will obviously be the pick if he's there" but it's just not that cut and dry unfortunately
The dream is obviously he gets picked ahead of 5, but why would ANY of the 4 teams ahead of us do that when THEY have the "other" choices of the big 4 selections
While WE will not have that luxury

Its way more likely the teams at 3 and 4 weighing "Smith, Carlsson, Michkov" go with Smith and Carlsson... why even entertain "the big red flag" when you EASILY have 2 other options you can be happy with..

Now you get to #5, it's Michkov and the rest left.. if you don't take michkov then..... ?

We'll get somebody good, I know that, but we could of gotten one of "those" guys instead of the best if the 2nd tier

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Over Fantilli? I doubt it.

More asking as a hypothetical but really if a team isnt worried about his situation then isn’t he the #2? Even if he’s not it could still be Carlsson that drops. I don’t put a ton of stock in that happening but I don’t think it impossible.

But again asking hypothetically here

 

[Caser]

How are the Habs viewed in Russia relative to other NHL teams? Are they liked, hated, ignored?

Any Russian posters here have any insight?

@Caser

Well Bergevin was known for declining giving interviews to Russian journalists and to add to that rumors of having a no-Russian rule for the 2022 draft - I'd say the Russian hockey community is in general viewing the Habs organization in a cautious way to say it mildly and therefore the overall consensus is that them picking Michkov is unlikely. Oh, and also French language is the issue, as most of Russian hockey players barely can speak English.

 

[SlafySZN]

Just read the Arpon Basu article and another important issue in drafting Mitchkov would be the lack of grip when it comes to his development. We would have to rely on his KHL team to develop him properly when we all know KHL is not a developmental league and the game played there is pretty different than how its played in the NHL. Basically, the Habs would have no control on his development and it sounds to me pretty contradictory with the culture the new management want to implant over here.

The article also mention that the org. value charactere, compete and that its pretty hard to assess those things on videos alone.

Conclusion, I think we can forget Michkov.

Can’t tell me they can’t ask anyone who can get infos on Michkov or speak with someone who knows him and his entourage well.

 

[sampollock]

Pick 5 is a decent place to pick.
They won't make the KK vs BT mistake

I have Faith

 

[Kennerback]

Can’t tell me they can’t ask anyone who can get infos on Michkov or speak with someone who knows him and his entourage well.

That’s the thing, they can’t and won’t. lol

 

[SlafySZN]

That’s the thing, they can’t and won’t. lol

Why wouldn’t they?

Bobrov worked for the SKA and his father is still a consultant coach for them.

 

[sampollock]

Anyone see any draft issues out?

 

[Sam I Am]

What is the difference in risk? Getting a Russian kid to play after a 3 year contract in KHL or getting a Boston area kid to play after 3 years in NCAA in Boston. He can then become a free agent and sign with the Bruins.

Good point.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Zero chance this management group takes Michkov.

Our pick will be Reinbacher at #5.

What an awful pick at #5
Slaf 2.0

 

[McGuires Corndog]

People talk about the risk associated with Michkov but what about the risk in not taking him? What if he comes over and becomes the next Kucherov while we opted for a safer pick?

To me that’s almost a bigger risk to take.

I’ll never forgive this franchise if Michkov becomes that good and we end up drafting someone like Reinbacher.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

taking a risk to a guy close to PPG in the KHL at 17 and wait 3 years
Wait 3 years for Caufield until he's ready.
Will Smith will also most likely do a Caufield type of progression who's also 3 years.
but we can't wait for Michkov , we have to win the cup next year with Allen montombeau in the net. ahha!

 

[Andrei79]

Well Bergevin was known for declining giving interviews to Russian journalists and to add to that rumors of having a no-Russian rule for the 2022 draft - I'd say the Russian hockey community is in general viewing the Habs organization in a cautious way to say it mildly and therefore the overall consensus is that them picking Michkov is unlikely. Oh, and also French language is the issue, as most of Russian hockey players barely can speak English.

Thanks for taking the time.

 

[Kennerback]

Why wouldn’t they?

Bobrov worked for the SKA and his father is still a consultant coach for them.

There’s a corporate culture in clubs and Bobrov has nothing to do with setting in. In certain NHL teams you would never suggest Michel Therrien as a coaching candidate or think Mailloux needs to be thoroughly scouted.

 

[NORiculous]

We simply blew it this year, simple as that

I agree. A draft like this comes every 10 years and to be in tank mode at the same time is priceless. So I put it all in managment. They better draft well because for 6 wins too many in a year It would be pretty pathetic to miss out on high end offensive talent.

 

[ottawa]

I'm not saying I think the Habs are going to take Michkov or that they aren't, but what people need to realize is that for him to even get to our pick, the situation can't be all sunshine and lollipops or else he won't be available in the first place. Him showing up to the combine, the draft, showing the desire to buy out his contract; stuff like that sounds real good to Habs fans. It sounds just as good to San Jose fans.

He's to me, the 2nd best player in the draft (and closer to 1 than 3) so the only way the 5th spot even gets a sniff at him is if everyone around the situation is apprehensive, negative, fear mongering, etc. Otherwise San Jose is sprinting to the podium to announce their pick before we even get a chance to think about it.

If dudes on a message board and complete waste of space journalists like Arpon Basu and Eric Engels could actually gain even a sliver of an insight into Hughes and Gorton's true draft plans.. we should fire them instantly because other teams would have figured them out long ago.

We are actually in an ideal spot. Any earlier and the risk reward for a lot of GMs would start to tip the balance. Any later and it's an extremely easy decision to take Michkov. I do think a lot of this relies on CBJ being big on Smith. If they don't bite and they take Carlsson, I think SJ grabs Michkov

And Wethreekings, with no disrespect, I remember you trying to gauge HuGos decision based on context clues last season, saying that if they didn't start to soften the Slaf blow leading up to the draft that they likely wouldn't do it. They fooled you, and me, and most of the rest of us. So I don't know why you're falling for it again.

Regarding the last paragraph, am I crazy or was the PR machine (French media) not working overtime in the days leading up to the draft in favour of Slaf? Especially after he made his comment about the conversations he had with the management tasted better than dinner or something.

I could have sworn a bunch of us were convinced this team was going to "f*** up" and not pick Wright.

 

[Ranger12]

What is the difference in risk? Getting a Russian kid to play after a 3 year contract in KHL or getting a Boston area kid to play after 3 years in NCAA in Boston. He can then become a free agent and sign with the Bruins.

The issue is not that he shows up after 3 years. The issue is that he doesn't show up after 3 years. Heck, even Kaprisov took 5 years to come over. And before anyone chimes in with "well, how likely is that?" , obviously many in the business seem to think it's not that unlikely.

And who are we to say otherwise?

 

[sampollock]

I agree. A draft like this comes every 10 years and to be in tank mode at the same time is priceless. So I put it all in managment. They better draft well because for 6 wins too many in a year I would be pretty pathetic to miss out on high end offensive talent.

I get MSL wants to win but...look what the Hawks got

 

[Kennerback]

The issue is not that he shows up after 3 years. The issue is that he doesn't show up after 3 years. Heck, even Kaprisov took 5 years to come over. And before anyone chimes in with "well, how likely is that?" , obviously many in the business seem to think it's not that unlikely.

And who are we to say otherwise?

Do you honestly believe Mitchkov will never set foot on an NHL ice? He will not be the first Russian superstar in 30 years not to crossover.

 

[sheed36]

Watched a video on TSN.ca today with Button from 2-3 days ago and he thinks the Habs should target Dvorsky to play behind Suzuki.

I figured the Habs traded for Dach to play behind Suzuki but maybe not I guess or Button must think otherwise anyway.

Edit: Maybe I should also add the video eh b'y..

NHL Videos - Highlights and Analysis from the National Hockey League

Watch highlights and analysis video from the National Hockey League. TSN's NHL Insiders and analysts deliver video content, betting information, and fantasy hockey advice.

www.tsn.ca

 

[salbutera]

One thing that shocked me was the Cunneyworth decision. I’m personnally fine going for a non-French speaker as coach, but I was completely dumbfounded they didn’t see that there would be pushback. They looked blindsided by the whole thing. It’s like they had just landed from another planet in Montreal.

In the corporate world when you want someone gone and they start sinking (Pierre Gauthier) you throw them an anchor (limit Gauthier to hire an internal candidate only who happens to be unilingual Anglo which, you the owner knows will cause a backlash)…

 

[habsfan891]

taking a risk to a guy close to PPG in the KHL at 17 and wait 3 years
Wait 3 years for Caufield until he's ready.
Will Smith will also most likely do a Caufield type of progression who's also 3 years.
but we can't wait for Michkov , we have to win the cup next year with Allen montombeau in the net. ahha!

I really hope all this media crap is a smokescreen to make sure that Michkov is available at our pick because if we pass on another elite talent for a 2c or top4 d our rebuild will not succeed and my Fandom will take a serious hit

 

[salbutera]

The various ministries of disinformation are in full force…

 

[Runner77]

Watched a video on TSN.ca today with Button from 2-3 days ago and he thinks the Habs should target Dvorsky to play behind Suzuki.

I figured the Habs traded for Dach to play behind Suzuki but maybe not I guess or Button must think otherwise anyway.

There’s a reason Button is not working for any organization. He’s not someone to rely upon over roster composition. Take some and discard some, he occasionally gives a good quote and that’s about it.