Pre-Game Talk: Kent Hughes Presser, Thursday morning, June 8th 2023 9:30 am

[Noble]

Matthew Tkchuk isn't 5'11" with stats inflated by playing with a top 5 talent in the draft. Leonard is a valid prospect but if you are picking him because you need grit in the playoffs when this team is closer to the worst team in the league then a playoff contender, well I better hope they are swinging for the fences in free agency.

Well, it could also be xenophobia, as your post makes clear.

I sure hope Leonard isn't from a country that might have staged a military invasion recently.

Leonard is more than grit, and just because he's a few inches shorter than Tkachuk doesnt mean he cant play like him.

He's got a lethal mix of skating, shooting, and compete. He's involved in every play and competes hard. Those are the players that make a difference in the playoffs. It's not just grit, it's the skills and speed to back it up.

I want the Habs to pick Michkov too, and if it were my choice I'd take him at 5. Smith too. With that said I think you're selling Leonard short but that's your opinion.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Anyone translate the video?

 

[WinterLion]

Passing on a potentially generational talent because they are a scary Russian for an American late riser because he has character and might be able to fight the Tkchuk brothers would be definitive proof this organization will never change.

All the more reason to trade Slafbusky for PLD as this fan base will never handle not fighting for that 8th seed.

Leonard is not going to fight... he has been rising all year and many people had him ahead of Smith for most of the year. If anything Smith is the late riser.

 

[sheed36]

Your kitchen table is blessed by the Gods.

20 lbs?

Would cost a small fortune at Costco!


Essentially, a soft Euro Rudy.

Feels like I'm in a episode of Spartacus on Starz after reading that..

We bought 20lbs but he was suppose to take 10lbs of live lobster with him the next day when he left but they were very close to dying the next day so I had to cook them right away and guess who ended up with the extra 10lbs of lobster since he couldn't wait around for them. I was eating them for 3 days straight.

We've been paying $6 per pound here the entire season from the fishermen so not too bad.

 

[WinterLion]

Anyone translate the video?

basically saying it wasn't by accident that Hughes dropped the Tkachuk name. Saying that Hughes has already admitted missing out on Brady was a mistake in the past...

 

[WeThreeKings]

basically saying it wasn't by accident that Hughes dropped the Tkachuk name. Saying that Hughes has already admitted missing out on Brady was a mistake in the past...

Something at the end of the video - about being a good thing for Montreal, what was that?

 

[Noble]

@WeThreeKings

Host says that if Habs pass on Michkov it could be because they like Leonard more.

Hughes says that Leonard loves the game. Plays hard every shift and plays a style like Tkachuk.

Host says that if Habs fans were told they could get a Tkachuk in this draft then they would be very happy with Leonard if he proves to be a Tkachuk type.

Leonard was once asked what he thought about people saying his production benefits from playing with Will Smith, Leonard said well yeah he's my line mate, and he benefits from playing with me too.

Host says that Hughes is aware that the Habs messed up by passing on Brady Tkachuk.

Said he displayed a lot of confidence in his interviews, which could help him lots if he ended up in Montreal.

 

[WinterLion]

Something at the end of the video - about being a good thing for Montreal, what was that?

That he is very confident and at ease in his interview.... i.e. that he has what it takes for the Montreal market (like Slaf last year... the right personality)

In response to these two questions:


he was asked how he would respond to 2 criticisms...
1. Q. You seem to play in a predictable manner A. well if it's working why change it... look at my stats

2. Q. You get your points because you play with Will Smith A. You could also say that he benefits from playing with me we are linemates

 

[Doublechin]

Something at the end of the video - about being a good thing for Montreal, what was that?

Saying that he's mature, not shy and very easy to interview, that these are key elements to fit in this market

 

[CAUFIELD]

My preference for our pick at 5, considering the obvious 3 out (Bedard , Fantilli and Carlssonn)
1. Mitchkov
2. Leonard
3. Reinbacher
4.Smith

I’m not a specialist , but I find Will Smith plays a bit Vanilla, like Tyson Jost or Turcotte

 

[Habs]

Your kitchen table is blessed by the Gods.

20 lbs?

Would cost a small fortune at Costco!


Essentially, a soft Euro Rudy.

Probably woke too , probably wants pronouns on his jersey

 

[Skip Bayless]

For those who still doubt

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Matthew Tkchuk isn't 5'11" with stats inflated by playing with a top 5 talent in the draft. Leonard is a valid prospect but if you are picking him because you need grit in the playoffs when this team is closer to the worst team in the league then a playoff contender, well I better hope they are swinging for the fences in free agency.

Well, it could also be xenophobia, as your post makes clear.

I sure hope Leonard isn't from a country that might have staged a military invasion recently.

You do realize that Matthew Tkachuk played with Marner in his draft year, right? Marner went 4th OA in 2015, and was in his D+1 year, so yes, Matthew did play with a top 5 talent in his draft year, and people thought his totals were inflated due to that too.

Leonard is 6 feet, and will play around 205, which is Danault's size. He doesn't seem to have any issues at that size neither will Leonard.

 

[Habs Icing]

Thing is, you haven’t went on a date yet with Michkov and maybe your eyes will light up as they would if you were in a private jacuzzi with Robbie, Gal Gadot and Blake Lively

In a jacuzzi, your eyes light up with Michkov as brightly as they do with Robbie, Gadot and Lively? Unfortunately, I'm not as lucky. My eyes light up only when I see the latter. I know. I know. I'm missing out on half the fun.

 

[Team_Spirit]

*Snarl*

Say no more

 

[BaseballCoach]

Evan's is good at faceoffs, has speed, and can play in all situations, up and down the lineup. That's what he brings.

Who is Evan?

 

[Skip Bayless]

*Snarl*

Say no more

View attachment 716397

"What did Michkov answer?"

"He said he was a rat? Get the strap Jeff."

 

[AHShadow]

Didn't see Matthew Tkachuk during his draft year. Is he actually comparable to Ryan Leonard? Or are they just comparing the playing styles since both play with grit and also have skill.

Warming up to Leonard a bit more. Truthfully never really viewed his play and just thought he was more like a Hyman plugged to Smith, but surprised he actually has decent hands and a really good shot.

Still prefer Michkov, Smith and Benson at this point cause they all have higher ceilings IMO, but would be happy with Leonard or Reinbacher.

 

[rik schau]

For those who still doubt

Nice! looks like a gamer.

 

[The Real Timo]

Something at the end of the video - about being a good thing for Montreal, what was that?

Maybe he didn't say it but I am sure we all agree that having either of the Tkachuk's would be a good thing for Mtl. I like being obvious like that.

*Snarl*

Say no more

View attachment 716397

Kent's head is so well polished. I cant stop staring.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

You do realize that Matthew Tkachuk played with Marner in his draft year, right? Marner went 4th OA in 2015, and was in his D+1 year, so yes, Matthew did play with a top 5 talent in his draft year, and people thought his totals were inflated due to that too.

Leonard is 6 feet, and will play around 205, which is Danault's size. He doesn't seem to have any issues at that size neither will Leonard.

Danault is a very weird comparable here. Leonard plays a power forward game. How well will his size translate vs. NHL defensemen?

I really don't like this if it happens. It smacks of the Bergevin regime, overlooking generational talent for stupidity. Based on how the media is running PR for the Habs on this, it definitely seems like it's happening.

But I guess Molson still runs the team, so the core of the apple is still rotten.

 

[morhilane]

Danault is a very weird comparable here. Leonard plays a power forward game. How well will his size translate vs. NHL defensemen?

I really don't like this if it happens. It smacks of the Bergevin regime, overlooking generational talent for stupidity. Based on how the media is running PR for the Habs on this, it definitely seems like it's happening.

But I guess Molson still runs the team, so the core of the apple is still rotten.

League avg height and weight for NHL dmen in 2023: 6'1'' and 203 lbs

Leonard is apparently already 6'0'' and 192 lbs. He's going to be over 200 lbs once he plays in the NHL. His size isn't going to be a problem. He's a speedy skill guy who isn't afraid to play the body, go into traffic and pick-up garbage near the net. He's not a bulldozer trying to physically defeat everyone on the ice.

 

[26Mats]

Who is Evan?

Autocorrect's best friend.

 

[WeThreeKings]

 

[Twisted Sinister]

League avg height and weight for NHL dmen in 2023: 6'1'' and 203 lbs

Leonard is apparently already 6'0'' and 192 lbs. He's going to be over 200 lbs once he plays in the NHL. His size isn't going to be a problem. He's a speedy skill guy who isn't afraid to play the body, go into traffic and pick-up garbage near the net. He's not a bulldozer trying to physically defeat everyone on the ice.

Have official measurements come in?