HF Habs: HF Habs: 2024 Habs Prospect rankings #9

[Team_Spirit]

Isn't he very small?

Yeah but when he's not playing he's making STEEL. Russian grit right there. Built different.

 

[overlords]

Yeah but when he's not playing he's making STEEL. Russian grit right there. Built different.

View attachment 894141

Giving me Maurice vibes. Now I gotta re-watch the Roy Dupuis movie.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Friendly reminder that Bogdan is already a top pair D in the KHL and was given the C by IGOR LARIONOV.

Overlords is the narrator of this video (E5)

https://x.com/i/web/status/1811400053283516812

 

[DAChampion]

View attachment 894143

He's not a big boi but not exactly a midget, either.

I thought he was much smaller than that. My mistake. Thank you.

 

[Redux91]

Something tells me management is much higher on Xhekaj than most around here.

While I don't think he should be Ranked higher than where he will end up being,

It's hard to argue against your notion,
There's definitely this 'feel' of excitement and intrigue from the team regarding this 'project' who even if he 'fails' to hit his ceiling, could still be a good bottom 6er for the team

Let's just say I'm wayyy more excited about Florian than Tuch

 

[Canadienna]

I love that we're still in "interesting prospect" territory going on #10

 

[Shutdown]

I thought he was much smaller than that. My mistake. Thank you.

i know he's listed at 6'0 but he looks shorter than that for sure

 

[Egresch]

Coming from a Växjö Lakers fan so not totally objective but you guys are severly underestimating Filip Eriksson in this poll. No way you guys have 18 prospects that are better than him. If that's the case then you are a dynasty in the making.

Thanks for your view on Eriksson. I guess people know he is very intriguing prospect, but Habs definitely have great depth. Beck is no8 and he was MVP of Memorial cup, Mailloux was AHL All star in his first pro season, Kapanen had amazing 2nd half, playoff in Liiga and WC for Finland, Konyushkov is captain KHL, Mesar was one of top10 players at WJC... and these are not even top prospect.

 

[junyab]

I'm always less optimistic about 20 y/o prospects still playing in Europe. So I went with Mesar who I haven't given up on yet. I think he'll take a big step forward in the A this year.

 

[LaP]

I'm surprised people put Kapanen over Mesar. Mesar played better than Kapanen at the u20 and had a good season overall in the OHL last year. Yes Kapanen numbers in the Liga are good but it's still the liga only and not the SHL (like Lehkonen) and dunno for me Kapanen is still a black box was not overly impressed at the u20.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Definitely not. It is still crazy how people do not understand the level of competition. Kapanen just finished his 2nd pro season in Liiga and his 2nd half was amazing. Comparing to Beck who is a similar player, he was playing in OHL as 20y old. If Beck reaches 50 points in AHL this year, I would assume everybody would be happy. This is basically what Kapanen achieved in Liiga already.
Even more blatant with Hage. Jesus, kid played USHL and is No.5 prospect. I understand "new toy" effect and I like his potential, but it would require 2-3 years of good development for him to reach the level of Kapanen. Slaf had 10 pts in Liiga just couple years ago and Kapanen had 34 and additional 14 pts in PO.
Basically the same applies to Engstrom, I am slightly more concerned about his transition to NA, but the skill is there definitely.

What does it matter what league Hage played in? Would you say "Jesus, Hughes played USHL" or "Jesus, Makar played AJHL"? That's a silly way to evaluate talent.

Hage is more talented than Kapanen and has a higher ceiling. He has a ways to go to get to the NHL level but we aren't ranking them based on being likely to play games at the NHL level, we're ranking them based on projected impact at the NHL level, and in that case, top 6 > bottom 6.

Same reason Heineman isn't a better prospect than Demidov.

I'm surprised people put Kapanen over Mesar. Mesar played better than Kapanen at the u20 and had a good season overall in the OHL last year. Yes Kapanen numbers in the Liga are good but it's still the liga only and not the SHL (like Lehkonen) and dunno for me Kapanen is still a black box was not overly impressed at the u20.

That being said, U20 performance should not be a barometer for prospect ability. Look at Caufield and Suzuki compared to Poehling.

 

[Bombshell11]

I admire your dedication to Mesar-ism.

For what it's worth, Mesar 's ranking this year is irrelevant. He just needs to have a very good year in the AHL. He can then be in the same boat as Roy, or in the same boat as Farrell and Kidney.

Thank you

Roy and Mesar are very different players. Mesar's talent level could be compared to Scott Gomez... Roy plays a much simpler game and will be more of a depth or AHLer

 

[eklund2chicago]

This is poll #9.

We also have a very deep pool. He needs to prove himself at the SHL level.

Yeah but there are ten names to vote on and he is not one of them.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Something tells me management is much higher on Xhekaj than most around here.

It’s a testament to our depth that he’s as far down the list as he is.

Not too sure if he necessarily should be higher. He could end up being better than Beck but that’s far from obvious at this point.

 

[Treb]

Yeah but there are ten names to vote on and he is not one of them.

He is next in line to be added. Time of addition doesn't mean he will go after all currently there. Some of them have been there since poll #1 and will likely be there after 15.

 

[Egresch]

What does it matter what league Hage played in? Would you say "Jesus, Hughes played USHL" or "Jesus, Makar played AJHL"? That's a silly way to evaluate talent.

Hage is more talented than Kapanen and has a higher ceiling. He has a ways to go to get to the NHL level but we aren't ranking them based on being likely to play games at the NHL level, we're ranking them based on projected impact at the NHL level, and in that case, top 6 > bottom 6.

Same reason Heineman isn't a better prospect than Demidov.

I am ranking them based on potential and probability to reach it. Hage has higher ceiling, but there is a long way to go for him. Kapanen is closer, so his probability is higher to reach 3C.
If I use your logic then Mesar needs to be above Xhekaj. Top 6 > bottom 6.

 

[LaP]

Coming from a Växjö Lakers fan so not totally objective but you guys are severly underestimating Filip Eriksson in this poll. No way you guys have 18 prospects that are better than him. If that's the case then you are a dynasty in the making.

He had the highest U20 point per game pace in Hockeyallsvenskan in the last 16 years. Produced way better than recent first round players as Östlund, Lekkerimäki and Öhgren did in the same league in their D+1 and when he joined Växjö in the SHL playoffs he was our best forward the last few games when he finally got some playing time.

You guys will probably get a really good player in the next few years. His IQ is off the charts but unfortunately his tools aren't as good. Would predict 20-25 points this season and then that he explodes the year after and then signs with you guys.

Eriksson was drafted in the 6th round last year. I think it's very possible that we have more than 10 prospect in front of him. He did well as a 19 years old in the Swedish equivalent of the AHL but that's not necessarily impressive Lehkonen was playing in the SHL at the same age and was doing well. Eriksson is an intriguing prospect but he has a lot to prove this year before climbing in our top 10 imo.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Adam Engstrom should be easily there. He have huge potential!

Add anybody you want.

 

[Bombshell11]

OHL's Mesar player of the month... watch at 0:48... one of Mesar's signature move...O-zone entry from center ice then dekes the whole squad and scores.



Filipus Mesarius the Greatus, plain and simple

 

[Gustave]

OHL's Mesar player of the month... watch at 0:48... one of Mesar's signature move...O-zone entry from center ice then dekes the whole squad and scores.



Filipus Mesarius the Greatus, plain and simple

To this day, I don’t know if you are trolling, keeping going the longest running gag or living a gigantic fandom of Mesar.

Even if you answer, I won’t be able to settle that question, but that’s on me. Only thing I know, it’s that you are dedicated.

 

[Bombshell11]

To this day, I don’t know if you are trolling, keeping going the longest running gag or living a gigantic fandom of Mesar.

Even if you answer, I won’t be able to settle that question, but that’s on me. Only thing I know, it’s that you are dedicated.

Did you watch the 1 min video? Did you see the play at 0:48?

 

[McGees]

I think Mesar is really underated nowadays. I can't buy in Engstrom's hype because we've had so many swedes who were supposed to be the big think totally flop.

Nygren may still pan out.

 

[Gustave]

Did you watch the 1 min video? Did you see the play at 0:48?

Yes.

 

[Bombshell11]

Yes.

And what do you think?

 

[overlords]

oh, and I vote to add Tyler Thorpe!