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

[Sam I Am]

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...

I'm not sure why you have to diminish an otherwise excellent post by slagging on Basu and Engels who in my estimation are two of the better and harder-working hockey reporters around.

I would only add that it is entirely possible that even if the perceived risk in drafting Michkov is lessened by him showing up at the combine and saying all the right things, the teams drafting ahead of the Habs in the two to four spots may still pass on him. It's a rare draft year with four superb centermen available and a rebuilding team could easily opt to go for one of them rather than Michkov on their merit alone. Michkov may well turn out to be the next Pavel Bure but a GM might be looking for a Peter Forsberg instead. Or a Mats Sundin. Or a Nate MacKinnon.

 

[sheed36]

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.

I just added the video to my post for anyone who wanted to have a listen.

 

[tooji]

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.

10 IQ logic. He was 4th on his KHL team for scoring as a 17 year old. Developing? He will be one of his KHL team’s best players next year, they will play him because they want to win. This argument works for a lesser player (for example, romanov)

 

[Sterling Archer]

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

Any Russian posters here have any insight?

From my understanding, because of the Habs of the 70's, Canadiens are seen as the Yankees or Cowboys.

 

[malcb33]

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

I have Faith

I'm glad you're confident, and I wish I was as well, but nothing has pointed me in that direction yet.

I guess this year's version would be: Michkov vs Dvorsky/ Reinbacher (BPA vs Safer needs)

The one thing I'm confident in is that if Carlsson or Smith are available at 5, they're taking them!

 

[Milhouse40]

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!

The player we draft at 5 will most likely be ready after 1 year. Not 3 years. Will Smith will be in the NHL in 2024-2025

And you are under the assumption that he will be 100% here in 3 years. That's actually what they need to find out and that variable can also be affected by something outside everyone's control which completely sucks.

It's not about winning the cup next year or the year after that but getting a player that you're not even sure he'll be there in 3 years and during that time, you have no control over him and his development.

 

[Ranger12]

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.

Don't know, but my opinion is irrelevant. Again who are we to second guess the teams hesitation to pick Russian players at this draft? Geopolitical issues might actually have an impact.

And another thing, we are all assuming it's a given that he is destined to be a superstar in the NHL. Well, It's not like the NHL history is not littered with sure thing high picks that busted. Heck, we have one here in Jonathan Drouin. To me, this is just a repeat of last year's drama when we were all freaking out that they might not select Wright.

 

[sampollock]

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.

He was the that said MTL would never beat the figs in the north division during covid

 

[1909]

If Michkov is indeed the second best prospect, how come Anaheim, SJ or Columbus would not pick him for all the well known reasons ? And why would the Habs would then have to grab him ? Why is he not a safe pick for three teams and not ours ?

 

[Deebs]

He was the that said MTL would never beat the figs in the north division during covid

In fairness, I'm not sure any "expert" picked us to beat them

 

[Goldenhands]

10 IQ logic. He was 4th on his KHL team for scoring as a 17 year old. Developing? He will be one of his KHL team’s best players next year, they will play him because they want to win. This argument works for a lesser player (for example, romanov)

SKA loaned him to a bottom tier team (Sochi) where he did really well offensively, will probably play on SKA next year where the team is much more stacked, still unsure what his role will be.

SKA was the top team in the KHL last season, Sochi last.

 

[OnTheRun]

In fairness, I'm not sure any "expert" picked us to beat them

In Button case it was "The Habs wouldn't win a single game during the series".

 

[sampollock]

Guys, far off point

But you guys in or know of a good MLB boards like this?

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

We are literally in the worst spot possible lol
It's absolutely incredible the luck we have ffs honestly, c'est trippant.

All year I kept telling everyone I know "we GOTTA stay top 5 at least"
But really, we all knew it was actually "gotta stay top4"
But who the hell says top4 lol
We simply blew it this year, simple as that

The only way to salvage this whole thing this year is for Michkov to miraculously be taken by one of the first 4 picks
Or, you know.. just f***ing take Michkov..

Other then that, whole year will feel like an absolute complete and utter waste, and at the WORST possible imaginable time in the rebuild

Not even close to being true. There's a clear cut top 5, and the habs are in a position to pick one of them. If the habs management decide to pick someone else, then thats on them. Nothing to do with bad luck.

Also the big top 4 that people were talking about all season included Michkov, not Smith. The habs have a chance at drafting Michkov at 5.

If the habs had the 4th pick, you guys would complain about not being able to pick one of Fantili or Carlsson.

If the habs finished 2nd, you guys would complain about having missed out on the best odds of drafting a generational talent.

Having the 5th pick and getting the chance to draft a potential 100 pts player (Michkov) is a great blessing that basically never happens.

 

[HabbyGuy]

If Michkov is indeed the second best prospects, how come Anaheim, SJ or Columbus would not pick him for all the well known reasons ? And why would the Habs would then have to grab him ? Why is he not a safe pick for three teams and not ours ?

Because all the other players around Michkov in the top 5 are valuable players in their own rights and have great upside as well, without the "perceived" concerns. This is why teams ahead of us might pass on him.

I honestly doubt we'll be fortunate enough to have him at our pick as he'll likely be already taken. I'm just saying if he is still there, we should count our blessings and grab him.

No matter what happens we're getting a great prospect.

 

[badfish]

If Michkov is indeed the second best prospects, how come Anaheim, SJ or Columbus would not pick him for all the well known reasons ? And why would the Habs would then have to grab him ? Why is he not a safe pick for three teams and not ours ?

Exactly my thinking. I've explained in previous posts why based on public info I don't think there are significant risks with this player and why I think there is good financial incentive for him to come over ASAP.

Personally I don't think he will last to Montreal's pick. If by some small sliver of chance he does I'll be floored if Montreal doesn't take him.

 

[sampollock]

Because all the other players around Michkov in the top 5 are valuable players in their own rights and have great upside as well, without the "perceived' concerns. This is why they'd might pass on him.

I honestly doubt we'll be fortunate enough to have him at our pick as he'll likely be already taken. I'm just saying if he is still there, we should count our blessing and grab him.

Agreed
If at 5 grab him
But I think SJ will snag him

 

[Sorinth]

10 IQ logic. He was 4th on his KHL team for scoring as a 17 year old. Developing? He will be one of his KHL team’s best players next year, they will play him because they want to win. This argument works for a lesser player (for example, romanov)

To be a little pendantic he had 0 points for his KHL team, as in he had 0 points in 3 games for SKA. His production all came after he was loaned to Sochi but presumably next year he'll be with SKA so it will be a different environment. I don't pretend to know the reasoning behind his loan but obviously they didn't think he'd be productive with them or they would have kept and played him instead of loaning him. So the question of how he will be handled with SKA and how much ice time he'll get is up in the air despite his impressive production with Sochi.

 

[Redux91]

Not even close to being true. There's a clear cut top 5, and the habs are in a position to pick one of them. If the habs management decide to pick someone else, then thats on them. Nothing to do with bad luck.

Also the big top 4 that people were talking about all season included Michkov, not Smith. The habs have a chance at drafting Michkov at 5.

If the habs had the 4th pick, you guys would complain about not being able to pick one of Fantili or Carlsson.

If the habs finished 2nd, you guys would complain about having missed out on the best odds of drafting a generational talent.

Having the 5th pick and getting the chance to draft a potential 100 pts player (Michkov) is a great blessing that basically never happens.

If. They. Pick. Him.

(And the top4 I mentioned did include michkov over smith, but no I did not specify)
I was holding hope ALL YEAR Smith would be there at 5, and the u18 seems to have ruined that, but hopefully not

 

[OnTheRun]

To be a little pendantic he had 0 points for his KHL team, as in he had 0 points in 3 games for SKA. His production all came after he was loaned to Sochi but presumably next year he'll be with SKA so it will be a different environment. I don't pretend to know the reasoning behind his loan but obviously they didn't think he'd be productive with them or they would have kept and played him instead of loaning him. So the question of how he will be handled with SKA and how much ice time he'll get is up in the air despite his impressive production with Sochi.

He was playing ±3 minutes per game with SKA, nothing really shocking here, KHL teams have always been super weird when it come to TOI. I guess we'll see how they handle this for the remainder of his contract.

 

[1909]

Because all the other players around Michkov in the top 5 are valuable players in their own rights and have great upside as well, without the "perceived" concerns. This is why teams ahead of us might pass on him.

I honestly doubt we'll be fortunate enough to have him at our pick as he'll likely be already taken. I'm just saying if he is still there, we should count our blessings and grab him.

Everyone is saying that Michkov is the most talented Russian born player since Ovie. If it is really the case, he should be drafted 2nd overall. If he drops at #5, it's gonna mean that 3 other orgs are a bunch of dummies. Which I doubt. So, why would the Habs sacrifies themselves for a player we might never see in the NHL ? Or in 6-7 years ?

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

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

I don't think so. I think there will be Michkov at 5 because Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith will be gone. And if Mtl doesn't take Michkov, who will take him? I think Mich will drop like 10th or 14 th. I can understand Washington being hot about Michkov, probably because of Ovy and his influence. The problem with Michkov is having no control in hands. I can see Vancouver picking Michkov.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Everyone is saying that Michkov is the most talented Russian born player since Ovie. If it is really the case, he should be drafted 2nd overall. If he drops at #5, it's gonna mean that 3 other orgs are a bunch of dummies. Which I doubt. So, why would the Habs sacrifies themselves for a player we might never see in the NHL ? Or in 6-7 years ?

There are dummies every year. I wouldn't defer to them just because they are in a position to manage a club and pick a player. Caufield went 15th. Filip Forsberg went 11, then was traded for a journeyman. The market is not efficient. 4 clubs passing on a player does not make their consensus insightful, if this player proves them wrong 4-5 years later.

 

[Runner77]

Guys, far off point

But you guys in or know of a good MLB boards like this?

Why, we're no longer good enough for you?

 

[Sorinth]

He was playing ±3 minutes per game with SKA, nothing really shocking here, KHL teams have always been super weird when it come to TOI. I guess we'll see how they handle this for the remainder of his contract.

Yes which is why development concerns do exist for Michkov since presumably he'll playing with SKA next season. Are they going to give him a top-6 role like his production shows he warrants or will they only give him 10min a game in a bottom-6 role?