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

[SlafySZN]

Just gonna put it out there... If Bedard, Fantilli, Michkov and Carlsson are all gone when we pick, I don't think our pick will be Dvorsky, Reinbacher or Smith. I think it will be Moore or Benson. Why? Although I am no scout and don't claim to be, I've watched and read a bit about all of these players and based on the kind of player we drafted last year and listening closely to what Hughes/MSL's "vision" for what kind of team and style of play they're shooting for, I think Benson/Moore fit that mold better than the other prospects that will be available.

I could be all wrong too, but we'll see...

They won’t pass on Smith.

If Smith isn’t there it might be Benson but not Moore.

Moore has elite skating and all but there’s questions with decisions making with him. Hughes spoke about hockey IQ in his presser. Plus it doesn’t look like Moore is seen like a top 10 in the draft, would be weird taking him at 5. I like him, though.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

More noise about scouts having issues with Michkov that aren't related to his contract or nationality.

I think we found this year Wright.

That's not what he's saying.

He's just saying even if Michkov wasn't Russian or had a lengthy contract, he would still go no higher than 4th, because he's a small winger.

Bedard, Fantilli & Carlsson are going 1-2-3 regardless.

Michkov isn't falling to 4th due to Russian factor. He's falling to 4th because top 3 are really good. They also have the extra advantage of not having the Russian factor.

 

[ottawa]

Look it’s hockey. It’s just a game. But it’s fair game to give a bit of push back at the rumored scenario. I’m 100% behind Mailloux making it big even though I was not a fan of how we got here.

The rumours are from mostly no-names and guys on this forum.

Hughes generally keeps things close to the chest, pretty much all of moves have been different (and better) than the rumours suggested.

 

[Takeru]

Is there another franchise that always seems lands the high no-man's land pick like we do?
Seems like we get our high picks when it makes no meaningful difference who we end up picking (2012/2022) or end up right outside the clear top (2018/2023).

From what I gather, this year is either a top 4 + Smith or a top 5 with high uncertainty we'll have the guts to draft Michkov. 5OA is a gap below top 4 picks, though still more enviable than 6th.
But comparing it to last year, I wouldn't have minded picking 5th and getting a top 3 this year compared to the opposite. Guess it's just badly timed luck...

 

[The Last Red]

sad, but I also think we'll pass on Mitchkov. It will be really stupid but that's the habs for ya.

I haven't seem much "stupid" under HuGo so far, but I guess it's easy to be lazy here.

 

[HabbyGuy]

It won't be Moore.. there's more noise of him going in the mid/late teens than top 10,

He's #8 on my board. Sandwiched between Benson and Reinbacher, Leonard at 10.

 

[1909]

Look it’s hockey. It’s just a game. But it’s fair game to give a bit of push back at the rumored scenario. I’m 100% behind Mailloux making it big even though I was not a fan of how we got here.

The very simple thing would had been for Bettman to put him on a non-draft list as Mailloux was asking himself. (he was the most mature one here) Philly had him mid first round, and Habs also knew many teams wanted to draft him in the 2nd.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Slaf wasn’t there, was he?

He was, but he didn't participate. Think he was just coming off WCs. Combine is where a lot of interviews happen, so prospects go even if they can't partake in the athletic events due to injury, etc.

 

[1909]

I haven't seem much "stupid" under HuGo so far, but I guess it's easy to be lazy here.

Mesar's pick is not that bright. Same with Rohrer.

 

[Kennerback]

That's not what he's saying.

He's just saying even if Michkov wasn't Russian or had a lengthy contract, he would still go no higher than 4th, because he's a small winger.

Bedard, Fantilli & Carlsson are going 1-2-3 regardless.

Michkov isn't falling to 4th due to Russian factor. He's falling to 4th because top 3 are really good. They also have the extra advantage of not having the Russian factor.

I would likely go Bedard, Fantilli & Carlsson because of the circumstances despite having Michkov at 2. But I can understand some people refusing to put Michkov 2,3 or 4 as BPA just because of the limited viewing. They’ve seen Fantilli in all circumstances, followed all his steps as he won the Hobey Baker at 18, talked to him, know everything about it. What we see on Michkov is amazing, but there’s not much.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The rumours are from mostly no-names and guys on this forum.

Hughes generally keeps things close to the chest, pretty much all of moves have been different (and better) than the rumours suggested.

Arpon Basu isn't a no-name..

and Engels more cryptic about it but he's also kinda hinted that they aren't 'stupid' for passing on Michkov.

Is there another franchise that always seems lands the high no-man's land pick like we do?
Seems like we get our high picks when it makes no meaningful difference who we end up picking (2012/2022) or end up right outside the clear top (2018/2023).

From what I gather, this year is either a top 4 + Smith or a top 5 with high uncertainty we'll have the guts to draft Michkov. 5OA is a gap below top 4 picks, though still more enviable than 6th.
But comparing it to last year, I wouldn't have minded picking 5th and getting a top 3 this year compared to the opposite. Guess it's just badly timed luck...

Detroit.

 

[Jaynki]

Slaf wasn’t there, was he?

He was but he did not participated in the exercise. Only did interviews.

Michkov don't need to be present at the combine.

We already know he is present at the draft and we already know his dream and desire to play in the NHL.

What is riskier, picking him at 5 or settling for a lower player?

 

[Sterling Archer]

Maybe. But, they may never consider him. It could depend on who Jarmo picks between Smith and Carlsson. What if SJ would take Michkov if Smith drops to them but not if Carlsson drops to them?

Those of you thinking that the best case scenario is for CBJ to select Smith may not have considered how it might impact SJ’s decision-making. We can’t really know until they make their pick.

If the Habs are not willing to leave it to chance, then the only other way to proceed if they don’t want to draft Michkov is to transact their risk by either trading up or down.

SJ needs a center. Couture is getting old and all they have left is Hertl who's no spring chicken either and BJ's said they'd take a center already. I think Michkov drops to Habs is the most likely scenario, which is fine as Habs have 2 good, young centers right now but no elitle level skill.

So yu're looking at:

Bedard
Fantilli
Carlsson/Smith
Smith/Carlsson
Michkov

 

[The Great Weal]

Reading the Jackets board, apparently Davidson said they would get a center. So Carlsson or Smith at 3, likely. I'm thinking the chances are high Michkov will be there at 5, but I highly, highly doubt this team picks him. Dvorsky seems like the most probable pick right now.

I think we pick Reinbacher

 

[The Last Red]

Mesar's pick is not that bright. Same with Rohrer.

No way to know that so soon.

 

[McGees]

Well, we wouldn't have this issue if more people were on the tank train.
Talking to you Monty

 

[Runner77]

This is ofcoure true, noone knows how it's gonna shake out. I'm only dreaming of taking who's left a 5 between the 3, I personally ain't trading up or down. That said in my dreams the order of who most i'd like to see at 5 would be Carlsson, Michkov and then Smith. I'd be happy with any of the 3, they'll all be great gets. But the real prize for me would be either Carlsson or Michkov.

But as I said I'm just dreaming. I'm thinking we'll most likely end up with Smith.

What if the cost of moving up was dealing redundant assets? A LHD or a small scoring forward to capitalize on their just completed high offensive season in juniors? We can’t play all these assets anyway so they will become trading fodder whether it’s now or later. Let’s make it now, since we hold an early pick as a major asset.

If another team doesn’t bite, at least we tried.

 

[HabbyGuy]

What if the cost of moving up was dealing redundant assets? A LHD or a small scoring forward to capitalize on their just completed high offensive season in juniors? We can’t play all these assets anyway so they will become trading fodder whether it’s now or later. Let’s make it now, since we hold an early pick as a major asset.

If another team doesn’t bite, at least we tried.

Like our 1st and Farrell? I'd trade Farrell for Carlsson, not sure the teams above us would.

 

[Kennerback]

Well, we wouldn't have this issue if more people were on the tank train.
Talking to you Monty

Seriously. Chicago mogged us. They capsized their own boat like pros.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Slaf wasn’t there, was he?

He was there, but because he came straight from the World Championship, he didn't participate in the testing. He and Nemec didn't test. But were there for the interviews.

Remember when Slaf was asked if Habs took him out to dinner and he said no, but the conversation he had tasted better than dinner? He said that at the Combine.

 

[Runner77]

SJ needs a center. Couture is getting old and all they have left is Hertl who's no spring chicken either and BJ's said they'd take a center already. I think Michkov drops to Habs is the most likely scenario, which is fine as Habs have 2 good, young centers right now but no elitle level skill.

So yu're looking at:

Bedard
Fantilli
Carlsson/Smith
Smith/Carlsson
Michkov

Teams generally get in trouble when they use need as a consideration for making an early pick.

It all depends on who they think is the BPA at their draft slot. If they’re lucky, the player scores on both BPA and need but if Michkov is the clear BPA, if he’s seen as standing a tier above Carlsson and Smith and they’re not skittish about geopolitics, then it shouldn’t matter that they need a center.

 

[Adam Michaels]

What if the cost of moving up was dealing redundant assets? A LHD or a small scoring forward to capitalize on their just completed high offensive season in juniors? We can’t play all these assets anyway so they will become trading fodder whether it’s now or later. Let’s make it now, since we hold an early pick as a major asset.

If another team doesn’t bite, at least we tried.

I'm sure attempts will be made to move up. Much like attempts will be made by other teams looking to move up to 5th.

 

[ottawa]

Arpon Basu isn't a no-name..

and Engels more cryptic about it but he's also kinda hinted that they aren't 'stupid' for passing on Michkov.

That's true, neither are no names but neither are likely in the know as well (especially this early). They're just speculating.

The two fanbases that will click literally anything are Montreal and Toronto, and saying the habs might not take Michkov will generate clicks...in a few weeks they'll release articles arguing why Montreal should take Michkob

 

[Runner77]

Like our 1st and Farrell? I'd trade Farrell for Carlsson, not sure the teams above us would.

Like an LHD, Farrell/ Kidney, our 29-32nd pick plus our 5OA. Give them a list of LHD to choose from. A combo from these to build an offer. Massage it as you can to get a result. Roy could also be dangled to make it more enticing.

I'm sure attempts will be made to move up. Much like attempts will be made by other teams looking to move up to 5th.

That’s where having two GM-types to field offers, pays off, especially at the draft when you only have 5 minutes to make your selection or transact. Hopefully something happens sooner than that.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Like an LHD, Roy/ Kidney, our 29-32nd pick plus our 5OA. Give them a list of LHD to choose from. A combo from these to build an offer.

And what pick are you targeting? And before who get's drafted? I'm assuming this only happens at 4 and Carlsson is still available? Because with each rung we climb the pick will continue to get more and more expensive. I suppose pick 3 would guarantee us what we want.

So 5th pick another 1st plus Roy plus a LHD say Harris? to move up for Carlsson?