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

[BenchBrawl]

The USNTDP is trending towards best development system in the world right now and will surpass OHL for best developers of NHL prospects within next 5-10 years.

But this draft is more about Hughes having personally coached many in the 2015 birth year - specifically Will Smith & Leonard and knows them and their families very well.

Yeah, and so what? Pick Michkov ffs.

Holy shit are they gonna f*** this franchise up out of some warm-hearted feelings for these kids? Please no. I still have HuGo in high respect, and this is the era-defining moment for them if Michkov falls to 5th.

If Michkov is gone, then I'm fine with Smith. I love what I saw of him.

 

[Runner77]

How so? Sure, Columbus needs a center, but we took Price when we had prime Theodore and everyone freaked out in 2005. Anything is possible until the man tells us straight up he's gonna pick a center, which he did.

Cause Jarmo’s smart. The way he nixed fellow countryman Puljujarvi when so many thought he was going to be CBJ’s pick, showed me that the man’s judgment is sharp.

You don’t pass up a near sure thing for a maybe with a ton of red flags.

This.

There are a ton of other examples too.

Just because the top5 are ranked top5 does not mean they will be the 5 best players in the draft, in fact history tells us that's likely not the case.

Yeah, but that’s hindsight. You still need criteria to go on to manage your risk, at the time of making the selection.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I bandied about Roy’s name in a scenario where an attempt could be made to land a higher pick. Maybe I underestimated his potential impact?

There is a lot of smoke that points to the Habs being skittish about Michkov dropping on their lap at their current drafting slot.

The gyst of my suggestion from earlier posts was to create an attempt to move up by constructing an offer that draws from redundancy (LHD, smallish forwards — Roy is not in this category).

Leaving Roy out of it and taking the position that we have surplus assets that can’t all be on the roster eventually, if Michkov is a no-draft for the Habs, who would you make available together with our 5th slot in trying to entice the 3rd or 4th drafting teams to bite on a swap?

That is a tough call as I am not sure that we could get a deal done without moving one of our better prospects. I suppose it would depend on the team and what their needs are which I am not overly familiar with. I am not one to propose many trades on here but more to present a generic framework as you did. Much like the Dach deal we dealt from positional redundancy and that is certainly what I would be inclined to do. I would also agree that we have too many small prospects and some will be moved, I am just not very confident that a team dealing such a highly coveted draft slot would want a smallish forward to bridge the gap to the 5th pick.

I would be more inclined to see if we could move back a few spots if we are dug in on not selecting Michkov and take advantage of a team without such reservations who see him as a franchise player. Perhaps I see higher ceilings in Dvorsky, Wood and Perreault than others but I would rather drop back and take one of them or Reinbacher than lose a Xhekaj, Beck, Hutson, Guhle or a Roy. I might be able to be talked into Mailloux or Barron but I would prefer to keep them.

I probably only consider trading up if we can do so by adding a Harris/Kidney/Struble/Farrell/Mesar range of prospect but I don't think that would be enough. Our strength in the future and key to contending is going to be a very good dcorps imo and I am hesitant to move most of them.

I think Xhekaj gets it done but I wouldn't do it. One of Harris/Farrell/Mesar and the 5th OA is the best that I could offer as there are too many good options potentially available to raise the cost any higher.

Personally, I likely just take Michkov and call it a day.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Cause Jarmo’s smart. The way he nixed fellow countryman Puljujarvi when so many thought he was going to be CBJ’s pick, showed me that the man’s judgment is sharp.

You don’t pass up a near sure thing for a maybe with a ton of red flags.


Yeah, but that’s hindsight. You still need criteria to go on to manage your risk, at the time of making the selection.

What red flag does Michkov have? Geopolitical uncertainty, maybe, but other than that? Talking about the hockey player

Puljujarvi couldn't finish a play to save his life as a prospect. Impressive looking while dangling, that's it. We're far from Matvei Michkov territory here, even tho I know you weren't comparing them. The prize is just much more valuable with MM. Can't pass on that.

 

[salbutera]

What red flag does Michkov have? Geopolitical uncertainty, maybe, but other than that? Talking about the hockey player

Avg speed and not particularly big or strong (latter which can obviously be worked on) and defensively nil

 

[BenchBrawl]

Instead of trading Roy to move up, why not trade Farrell?

Roy is one of the best French-Canadian prospects we've had in a while, I prefer to keep him.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

The USNTDP is trending towards best development program in the world right now and will surpass OHL for best developers of NHL prospects within next 5-10 years… bank on it. No one can compete w the $ and ability to lure best coaches, trainers etc like them

But this draft is more about Hughes having personally coached many of the American kids with a 2015 birth year - specifically Will Smith & Leonard and knows them and their families very well.

The USNTDP is not the best development program it is just an all star team made up of the top American prospects. The CHL could easily do the same and make an all star team that beats up on the junior teams that these players would normally be playing on.

Kids coming directly from this program are often less prepared than kids in the CHL because they have been playing pond hockey and dunking on lesser teams.

Comparing this program to a league just doesn't make sense

Instead of trading Roy to move up, why not trade Farrell?

Roy is one of the best French-Canadian prospects we've had in a while, I prefer to keep him.

Agreed that Roy > Farrell but the French factor is meaningless and needn't enter the discussion.

 

[SlafySZN]

What number does he wear during those games? I can't read his name.

He is #39 !

 

[BenchBrawl]

Avg speed and not particularly big or strong (latter which can obviously be worked on) and defensively nil

Michkov has insane mobility / edgework, his speed doesn't matter as much because of this. I still remember his terrific spin-o-rama move from U18 where the radius of the circle he made was incredibly short, then he lost balance but recovered it so quickly then sniped it so fast and accurately. This was an insane goal that revealed a lot about his abilities.

His size is a non-issue, he already held his own in the KHL.

Lacking a defensive game, well, so did a myriad of other offensive stars.

Agreed that Roy > Farrell but the French factor is meaningless and needn't enter the discussion.

Absolutely disagree. Having French-Canadian players is important for this franchise. Not because *you* don't care about it, that everybody shares your feeling.

 

[salbutera]

Instead of trading Roy to move up, why not trade Farrell?

Roy is one of the best French-Canadian prospects we've had in a while, I prefer to keep him.

I for one am hoping there’s a way to package Fla 1st + Farrell for something real meaningful (Dach type to get or moving up)

 

[Runner77]

What red flag does Michkov have? Geopolitical uncertainty, maybe, but other than that? Talking about the hockey player

Puljujarvi couldn't finish a play to save his life as a prospect. Impressive looking while dangling, that's it. We're far from Matvei Michkov territory here, even tho I know you weren't comparing them. The prize is just much more valuable with MM. Can't pass on that.

This whole thread is mostly about the risks associated with selecting Michkov, I’m not going to regurgitate it.

I never compared Puljujarvi to Michkov. He was only brought up to show that Jarmo is sharp. You’ll recall at the time, that several pundits had Puljujarvi ranked high. BobbyMac himself with his infamous poll of scouts, had him ranked third best prospect. Jarmo wisely dodged that bullet, is all.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Absolutely disagree. Having French-Canadian players is important for this franchise. Not because *you* don't care about it, that everybody shares your feeling.

The people who cry about language are not worth anyone's time. The players on the team don't care at all and neither should you.

 

[BenchBrawl]

This whole thread is mostly about the risks associated with selecting Michkov, I’m not going to regurgitate it.

I never compared Puljujarvi to Michkov. He was only brought up to show that Jarmo is sharp. You’ll recall at the time, that several pundits had Puljujarvi ranked high. BobbyMac himself with his infamous poll of scouts, had him ranked third best prospect. Jarmo wisely dodged that bullet, is all.

Unclear whether it is "sharp" to pass on a franchise-level player for geopolitical reasons.

32 teams, only 1 cup. It's tough to win it.

Go big or go home.

Unless your goal is to make the playoffs to generate revenue for the owner. No shortage of teams happy to make the 2nd round and "compete". We've been largely that for the last 30 years. What a great era this was.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

No they don't need. Michkov is a russian citizen. He is not in jail.

Russian takes a lot of pride in sports. Its prestigious for them to go and dominate the NHL. Its not prestigious to stay in the KHL. Ovechkin is buddy-buddy with Putin and he is not confined in Russia.

The simple opportunity to draft a rare talent like him justify its selection.


How has that paid off for the team that not drafted Caufield?

How many goals would Caufield scored on an ELC with McDavid ? Pretty sure he would have a little more impact than Broberg

Caufield is a good example to justify Michkov selection actually.

Caufield has nothing to do with this. Michkov is rated 2nd despite his size. The only question is WILL HE COME OVER and will he defect if he has to in order to stay in North America. There is a war on. If he drops to 5th 3 teams think he is too risky. Unless HuGo has intel they don't have they will pass too.

 

[BenchBrawl]

The people who cry about language are not worth anyone's time. The players on the team don't care at all and neither should you.

How about I decide what I care about, and you mind your own business?

Who do you think you are?

 

[SlafySZN]

Michkov beating up a guy in a puck battle lol

 

[BenchBrawl]

Last time teams passed on a great prospect for geopolitical reasons, Pittsburgh ended up with Jaromir Jagr at 5th. He then went on to win 4 straight Art Ross trophies and have many more great seasons with the team, not to mention how entertaining he was.

 

[River Meadow]

Yeah, but that’s hindsight. You still need criteria to go on to manage your risk, at the time of making the selection.

Right.

A Player like Leonard should be right up there in the conversation for 5th and perhaps there is an argument he winds up better than Smith (i.e better skating, more rugged, more of a built for the playoffs type mindset).

Is Leonard that far off from Smith really?

 

[BenchBrawl]

It doesn't matter whether the team finishes #2, #17 or #32 in the standings.

All that matter is that #1, Stanley Cup winning team.

Because of that, you can't handle your decisions like it was a portfolio.

It's winner take all. Go big.

 

[Whitesnake]

Tough to not talk about politics though as Michkov at 5 would NEVER be possible if not SOLELY because of politics....

But let just say this...I want him. If he's available, he's the CLEAR BPA. And we won't be a contender in the next 2-3 years anyway. Now if he's not, I will CHOOSE, for now, to believe that they know something we don't. And that if they go one of Smith, Carlsson, Leonard or Benson that we are still getting a very good player.

If we don't go Michkov, and go Reinbacher or Dvorsky....it means nothing...but I won't be happy.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

This f***ing bias for US prospects and the affinity with the US from our management will haunt us if we pass on Michkov.

This is an era-making decision right here.

You cannot f*** that one up.

What are you talking about? HuGo drafted 2 US Players and one was an irrrelevant 6th round pick.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

The USNTDP is not the best development program it is just an all star team made up of the top American prospects. The CHL could easily do the same and make an all star team that beats up on the junior teams that these players would normally be playing on.

Kids coming directly from this program are often less prepared than kids in the CHL because they have been playing pond hockey and dunking on lesser teams.

Comparing this program to a league just doesn't make sense



Agreed that Roy > Farrell but the French factor is meaningless and needn't enter the discussion.

Well the US team has done well recently at the WJC. They are at least giving good players a chance to play with other top players. Some of the WJC performance is due to familiarity with their teammates but not all.

 

[SlafySZN]

Right.

A Player like Leonard should be right up there in the conversation for 5th and perhaps there is an argument he winds up better than Smith (i.e better skating, more rugged, more of a built for the playoffs type mindset).

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Is Leonard that far off from Smith really?

In pure offensive talent, skills and vision. Yes.

That’s usually what you are looking for a top 5 pick.

But i wouldn’t be mad with Leonard if Smith is already picked.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Tough to not talk about politics though as Michkov at 5 would NEVER be possible if not SOLELY because of politics....

But let just say this...I want him. If he's available, he's the CLEAR BPA. And we won't be a contender in the next 2-3 years anyway. Now if he's not, I will CHOOSE, for now, to believe that they know something we don't. And that if they go one of Smith, Carlsson, Leonard or Benson that we are still getting a very good player.

If we don't go Michkov, and go Reinbacher or Dvorsky....it means nothing...but I won't be happy.

Very generous of you. I won't be as charitable.

I think it would be gutless not to take him.

Even in the worst case scenario, pick him and then hope the geopolitical situation gets more favorable for him to come in the next 5 years.

 

[BenchBrawl]

I for one am hoping there’s a way to package Fla 1st + Farrell for something real meaningful (Dach type to get or moving up)

Would be fine with this.