If We Win Draft Lottery: Lafreniere or Byfield?

[Puckclektr]

Bob's scouts were 10/10, that's just about unanimous. Obviously there can always be one or two rogue scouts that don't go with the flow. We also know we're on Bob's list every year. I feel as if we're arguing semantics and a reality that isn't happening.

I’m not trying to argue. I just said if there ever was a time that someone could not take the BPA it was now. And I gave valid reasons for it.
You can lose Zibby in two years and struggle to find another top centre and have 3-4 elite wingers. Top Centres are hard to trade for and I’m sure you’re going to run into cap issues and not be able to afford one via UfA

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I’m not trying to argue. I just said if there ever was a time that someone could not take the BPA it was now. And I gave valid reasons for it.
You can lose Zibby in two years and struggle to find another top centre and have 3-4 elite wingers. Top Centres are hard to trade for and I’m sure you’re going to run into cap issues and not be able to afford one via UfA

Okay. Thanks for the concern.

 

[Polar Bear]

I’m not trying to argue. I just said if there ever was a time that someone could not take the BPA it was now. And I gave valid reasons for it.
You can lose Zibby in two years and struggle to find another top centre and have 3-4 elite wingers. Top Centres are hard to trade for and I’m sure you’re going to run into cap issues and not be able to afford one via UfA

No, you didn't give any valid reasons to it, and there is no team that would pass on Laf. You're just speaking about a hypothetical that has little to no merit in the reality of occurring, with all due respect. When was the last time a team passed on a unanimous pick at 1 in the draft? There's a reason it doesn't happen really.

 

[bl02]

Byfield is also a giant who can bully around CHL kids. He won't be able to do that nearly as easily in the NHL. Caution is very much warranted.

The gap between Laf and Byfield is pretty decent. I think the WJC showed that.

No thanks on Byf and I’m not giving the Kings a franchise player

 

[Hunter Gathers]

No, you didn't give any valid reasons to it, and there is no team that would pass on Laf. You're just speaking about a hypothetical that has little to no merit in the reality of occurring, with all due respect. When was the last time a team passed on a unanimous pick at 1 in the draft? There's a reason it doesn't happen really.

He's really just concern trolling.

 

[mas0764]

The offer would be Suzuki/KK/Romanov/2 1sts and Gorton would still say no thanks very easily

Yeah, sorry Habs fans, you don't have what I want.

The only offer I've heard that could be remotely close is Ottawa's 3/5/Tkachuk.

And I might still say no.

Suzuki and (I assume) Kotkaniemi (KK?) don't add up to that. Would rather Stutzle, Tkachuk and Holtz/Rossi/Sanderson/Drysdale

 

[bl02]

There have been some reasonable responses.

if the shoe was on the other foot, and the Habs had the first pick and the guy was a NY native and the Rangers were all in, I’d be looking for something like Kakko and a 1st from you guys. Let’s assume your first is equivalent to our first, is Kakko really worth more than Suzuki, Caufield and a former first rounder in Poehling?

Well I will take your word as honest but I doubt fellow Montreal fans will trade laf for kakko and a 16th overall pick.

 

[Polar Bear]

He's really just concern trolling.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt he isn't, but the fact he states he's a Devils fan and comes in trying to argue why we would pass on Laf is just silly tbh.

 

[mas0764]

Nah. I’m sorry your team doesn’t have the assets to get Laf, I think you just need to accept it.

Yup.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Yeah, sorry Habs fans, you don't have what I want.

The only offer I've heard that could be remotely close is Ottawa's 3/5/Tkachuk.

And I might still say no.

Suzuki and (I assume) Kotkaniemi (KK?) don't add up to that. Would rather Stutzle, Tkachuk and Holtz/Rossi/Sanderson/Drysdale

I’m a Tkachuk Stan and I still turn that trade down.

I just want the Rangers to take Laf. I don’t even want to consider a trade.

 

[Bob Richards]

I've always enjoyed when posters really enunciate the "FORMER FIRST ROUNDER" tag on one of the pieces they offer in a trade package lol

 

[mas0764]

I asked “for shits and giggles”.

I get it, your fan base is on a high right now after the lottery win. But in reality everyone’s available and we have the assets and desire to get the player. Don’t be shocked if a godfather offer comes in, and it’s something like KK, Romanov, a 1st and Poehling- a deal any reasonable GM would consider.

This is all for shits and giggles because we are fans on a message board with no real bearing on reality.

But for our giggles, I and most of us on this board are saying we do not want the package you just offered, we'd rather Lafreniere.

If it's such a ridiculous overpayment then why do you want to make such an offer?

 

[Edge]

Bob's scouts were 10/10, that's just about unanimous. Obviously there can always be one or two rogue scouts that don't go with the flow. We also know we're on Bob's list every year. I feel as if we're arguing semantics and a reality that isn't happening.

It would be the first time in a long time that we weren't on Bob's list. In that regard, anything is possible. But I doubt we weren't one of the teams responding or who have Lafreniere first.

If this was 2017, or even 2019, and there's some differing opinions, I'd say maybe. But this one seems pretty clear cut.

No one wants to be the guy who uses the pick to take someone other than Lafreniere.

Again, they'd trade the pick (unlikely) before they ever passed on Lafreniere.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Well I will take your word as honest but I doubt fellow Montreal fans will trade laf for kakko and a 16th overall pick.

Removing the French factor? Absolutely.

Kakko and KK would be a great combo. I know he had a bit of a disappointing year, but I had a VERY high grade for Kakko last year- not far below Laf this year.

 

[mas0764]

We have the first overall pick and can take our own franchise forward for once. Unless we’re getting like McDavid, MacKinnon, or a Lindtos package it’s just an immediate no from me. f*** quantity

The Rangers don't need quantity either. They need quality.

 

[mas0764]

Let’s say Laf is Taylor Hall. You really don’t think that package is worth it? If anything it’s an overpay which we do because of the French factor.

Let's say he's Auston Matthews instead.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Yeah, sorry Habs fans, you don't have what I want.

The only offer I've heard that could be remotely close is Ottawa's 3/5/Tkachuk.

And I might still say no.

Suzuki and (I assume) Kotkaniemi (KK?) don't add up to that. Would rather Stutzle, Tkachuk and Holtz/Rossi/Sanderson/Drysdale

The Lafreniere to the Habs ship sailed when they beat the Pens. It's over.

 

[Polar Bear]

It would be the first time in a long time that we weren't on Bob's list. In that regard, anything is possible. But I doubt we weren't one of the teams responding or who have Lafreniere first.

If this was 2017, or even 2019, and there's some differing opinions, I'd say maybe. But this one seems pretty clear cut.

No one wants to be the guy who uses the pick to take someone other than Lafreniere.

Again, they'd trade the pick (unlikely) before they ever passed on Lafreniere.

100000% agree, Edge.

 

[mas0764]

Well, I'll disagree on a few points here.

First of all, the Hall for Larsson was widely seen as a poor trade and had a very clear winner --- the team that walked away with Hall. If anything, that's a cautionary tale about making this type of move, not an endorsement.

I personally do not view KK as a future 1C. I never have. I was not a big fan of his draft day, and I don't think the Rangers were head over heels for him either. So that's not going to entice a move.

Suzuki and Caufield have a chance to very good players. But neither one of them is a franchise player, or realistically even close to one. Again, if I'm trading a player whose presence reverberates up and down the lineup, I can't do it for the type of guys who I'd want to benefit from that type of reverberation.

A mid-first is nice, but I don't really need a mid-round level prospect.

Poehling is a former first, but that doesn't mean to me at this point. I evaluate him based on what he's do since and what he projects to be. And right now, that's looking at a middle to bottom six forward --- with some work to get there.

There's really nothing in that package that screams elite, let alone franchise player. If the roles were reversed, there's no way Montreal makes that trade.

"Here is 4 second liners! Come on, isn't that enough!?! No? How about 6 second liners?! YOU ARE BEING UNREASONABLE!!!!!"

 

[mas0764]

"Reasonable" isn't something that should be associated with trading the 1st overall pick. There would also be a marketing tax if Montreal was going to get into the bidding. Giving them a bonafide Quebecois superstar? Pay through the nose or don't come to the table. 3 or 4 "pretty good" assets doesn't cover it and I don't think the Habs have the elite pieces to make it enticing.

They do not. They have almost nothing I want, frankly.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Let's say he's Auston Matthews instead.

Laf is a winger.

 

[mas0764]

Laf is basically a French Taylor Hall.

... yet you are trying to empty what cupboard you have to get him.

I think I see the problem here.

 

[mas0764]

As long as it’s done without trolling I’m ok with it. I think it provides good debate as long as it doesn’t turn into really dumb proposals.
I think the poster from Montreal wasn’t totally out of line and adds to some good banter

I don't have a personal problem with him other than the fact he seems insulted that his packages simply aren't good enough to pry Lafreniere from us.

He thinks we are unreasonable but the truth is, he needs to take off the homer glasses and realize his package isn't that good.

There is a package out there that might pry us off the pick. 3/5/Tkachuck.

I don't think the Habs can beat that offer, and I'm not even sure I take that Ottawa deal.

 

[mas0764]

There have been some reasonable responses.

if the shoe was on the other foot, and the Habs had the first pick and the guy was a NY native and the Rangers were all in, I’d be looking for something like Kakko and a 1st from you guys. Let’s assume your first is equivalent to our first, is Kakko really worth more than Suzuki, Caufield and a former first rounder in Poehling?

Kakko is certainly worth way more than any of those pieces individually.

I'm not really doing the aggregate math because that's not what I'm interested in.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I’m a Tkachuk Stan and I still turn that trade down.

I just want the Rangers to take Laf. I don’t even want to consider a trade.

First #1 overall pick for the Rangers in my lifetime, the future captain, a likely superstar and a cornerstone player...yeah, I'm not trading this pick. Face of the franchise in a few years.