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

[26Mats]

He didn't had the same stars in the eyes then when he talk about Leonard/Smith

Men when he was talking about them, he had the same stars in the eyes that I would have if I was in a date with Margot Robbie

Very true, but he did mention that when he was discussing it from a personal stand point, not so much their game on the ice.

He said it's amazing how much kids mature from 15 (when he last interacted a lot with them in person) to now 18, and that he text their parents about it. It seemed to me that's what he lit up about.

 

[Skip Bayless]

We only draft Chads

 

[26Mats]

I think he dropped an inadverdent hint about getting PLD as well.
He was asked how important it was for CC to have a contract comparable but under Suzuki's AAV and he said,

"yes- in this context - coming off an ELC we thought that was important but facts can change in the future"

Its curious that he would add that additional context, essentially suggesting that other contracts for players not coming off an ELC could potentially command more than Suzuki. Given that PLD's agent Brisson has been given permission to talk to GMs, it has to be true at this point that Hugo is assessing with Brisson what a long-term PLD contract looks like. Wonder if he's getting us ready to see an $8M+ PLD contract

Ok given this quote, it’s clear they’re talking about what a long term contract is:

I think that quote was more meant to say that they're not going to trade for older players that will help for a couple of years and then not be good, and that all their moves will have a long term vision.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

I'm going to be very upset if we somehow pass on someone that has the potential to be as good as Bedard just because of reasons that don't justify not taking that risk.

 

[Kennerback]

I know the language (grade 9 level a long time ago) but it's pretty hard to follow the cadence of french speakers when you're not a native speaker and you only ever hear it 4-5x a year.

And to be clear, if i was a native french speaker, I would have asked the same type of question.

Est-que quel'que personne peux dit a moi qu'est-que l'anglais merde il a dit?

What we need to know. He likes Will Smith and Leonard on a personal level.
My feeling about his answer on Michkov is that his plan for the interview was to not close the door on the possibility and just keep a neutral tone. There was certainly no positive tell. It’s a politician response.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Timmins LOVES those types. I wonder if he'll put extra pressure on Columbus to consider picking him a tad early. We know Grant and him think alike.

 

[SwiftyHab]

I'm going to be very upset if we somehow pass on someone that has the potential to be as good as Bedard just because of reasons that don't justify not taking that risk.

 

[Nicko999]

Will Smith have more offensive flashy skills, but Ryan Leonard is better in certain other area.

I do think if both are available, Smith would be the pick though

I don't care about "other areas". You are drafting high which means the talent and offensive production should be leading in your choice.

I am sure the same could have been said back in the days for Caufield vs other players who were better in "other areas".

Give me the most talented player. That's it. The rest you can coach to improve these aspects. Talent is the only thing you cannot improve.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Smith or Leonard will be our pick.

Im sorry but it means nothing or else Kent is the worst poker player I've ever seen

 

[jaffy27]

Nothing he said made me think Michkov is do not draft.


I did notice his body language and facial expressions went somber when Michkov was brought up, whereas he lit up when asked about Will Smith and Leonard.

Having said that, I go somber when playing poker and am dealt a killer hand.

I did find it weird he said they have to do their homework on Michkov. They haven't done their homework yet??? Surely they have. But if you don't want to give away what you've learnt from doing the homework, saying you still have to do your homework is a good thing to say. Of course it could be that they don't like the result.

KH did say that for all they know Michkov could extend past 3 years. But he also said they haven't talked to him yet.

I believe it’s more a case where they haven’t “completed” their homework on him. Impossible they know nothing of the player….interviews will be conducted with Michkov prior to the draft, this should finalize their hierarchy of the top 7 or so….then it’s about letting the draft come to them and select or trade up as they please or desire.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

100% the "combine attendee" is Timmins.

 

[26Mats]

I believe it’s more a case where they haven’t “completed” their homework on him. Impossible they know nothing of the player….interviews will be conducted with Michkov prior to the draft, this should finalize their hierarchy of the top 7 or so….then it’s about letting the draft come to them and select or trade up as they please or desire.

Yes, they need to interview him. Also, there is usually a European combine. That's where Timmins got a lot if info on Romanov. I wonder if they'll have one this year and if Russians will participate - probably not.

 

[OpenIceHit]

It's so refreshing to hear Hughes in press conferences compared to Bergevin. It's day and night. Clear, concise, smart, humble, etc.

 

[jaffy27]

He didn't had the same stars in the eyes then when he talk about Leonard/Smith

Men when he was talking about them, he had the same stars in the eyes that I would have if I was in a date with Margot Robbie

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

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Possible.

Just because Michkov has a 3 year contract doesn't mean he'll stay in Russia for 3 years.

However, I think given Columbus' move to get Provorov and that's why I imagine they go with Carlsson, who probably shouldn't play this year, but will be likely good for next season allowing them to move that much closer to be competitive

Or they could simply sell the pick to move up in age.

 

[Treb]

You want Drouin and Thierney back that bad?

Byron playing career's is done. Monahan probably is too.
Belzile might get a contract and go back to be the Rocket captain and injury call-up guy.

The rest are AHLers who turns veterans and Habs have a bunch of kids turning pro that need a spot on the Rocket.

Why would Monahan career be done?

 

[SlafySZN]

We only draft Chads

Fresh prince of la belle province

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Really sound like he managing expectations on Mitchkov - he's not playig games with other GMs here, he speaking to MTL fans.

Lmao

He doesn't need to manage expectations. What he needs to do is play the game.

 

[A55P2]

If they wanted to draft Michkov they would act like they wouldn't want to as to potentially "devalue" his worth to other teams. There's no point reading too much into this.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

Bergevin and Timmins would have picked him over Bedard!!!

 

[David Suzuki]

Hey if Leonard is a Brady/Matthew Tkachuk caliber player sign me the f*** up. Those are the guys that win you Cups.

Only sign me up though if Matvei is gone!

neither brady matthew or keith have won a stanley cup lol

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

I don't mind the idea of Leonard, but then Grant McCagg keeps pushing him and I get f***ing cold feet, like even my positive thoughts toward's Leonard player profile was all an illusion.

 

[Kennerback]

I don't mind the idea of Leonard, but then Grant McCagg keeps pushing him and I get f***ing cold feet, like even my positive thoughts toward's Leonard player profile was all an illusion.

Not helping me warm me up to the player at all.

 

[SlafySZN]

Lmao

He doesn't need to manage expectations. What he needs to do is play the game.

Hughes didn’t really play games last year when he spoke about the draft or the players. When they described what they wanted it was very clear he wasn’t describing Wright but people kept thinking he would be the choice. Hughes is pretty honest with his answers every time he speak.

 

[Naslund]

Kent said at the lottery that it was important for them to stay at 5. People interpreted that as meaning their top 5 includes Michkov, but in reality, it was Leonard he was referring to. This is why it is so important to stay at 5, because they believe the major talent drop is after Leonard, and if they would have been drafting at 6, they would have had to seriously consider drafting a player (Michkov) that comes with multiple red flags, because Reinbacher, Dvorsky and Benson are not in the same tier as Carlsson, Smith, Leonard or Michkov.