Speculation: Most beneficial for this team vs your preference: Run for a WC spot, or a high pick?

[Hins77]

This is a shit draft, and we're going to be playoff bound next year. Just win. We have almost all the pieces. The next big piece will be a UFA signing or a big trade using picks. We're ready to go forward.

Exactly. Except the top 4 (martone, hagens, scheaffer, misa). I can't see the management want to trade everything to get the 7th overall pick. That draft isnt that deep, and burning a season to get a 7th pick. This pick could likely become at a second line forward or a top 4 dman. I mean, we don't really need that.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Exactly. Except the top 4 (martone, hagens, scheaffer, misa). I can't see the management want to trade everything to get the 7th overall pick. That draft isnt that deep, and burning a season to get a 7th pick. This pick could likely become at a second line forward or a top 4 dman. I mean, we don't really need that.

They aren't going to do anything that weakens us this year, that's not sending the right message to the team.

Now it's one thing if they sold Dvorak and brought in a left shot centre who could play better with some more term. That type of option might present itself.

But they aren't gonna trade Jake Evans unless his contract demands are insane and there's a 1st round pick on the table, but even then, they would turn around and make sure they brought in a center that could perform similar duties and keep the team in the fight.

 

[Tuggy]

I voted playoff race for both.

For personal preference, this is much more enjoyable watching meaningful games. Even if they fall short of making the playoffs, I've enjoyed this run.

For the team, they aren't going to be a bottom 5 team. So if they draft 10th or 15th, probably not a huge difference at that point. The player you draft in that position is likely at least 2 years away anyway.

But I think playing these games is largely beneficial for our core players going forward. We are seeing players like Suzuki and Caufield really playing well and elevating their games. Might sound cliche, but players do need to learn how to win. The more times and experience you have in high pressure situations, the more "comfortable" you become and the moment isn't too big.

 

[JianYang]

It depends on if management is willing to take risks to try and be good starting next year, or if they want to play it safe and follow the plan.

Each could be viable options but personally I hope they try and get it done sooner.

All we really need is a reliable 2C and another top-4 RHD to be a playoff lock.

Worst case scenario is we stay in the mix but miss the playoffs and get worse when Armia, Evans, and Dvorak walk and we don’t bring in replacements

Suzuki will be 26 years of age next season. I have always thought of next year as a time where the the Habs get more aggressive. Not necessarily meaning that they are going to blow their load all at once, but I see it as a time that they shift their mentality away from magic beans.

They may already be at that point this year if they stay in the playoff hunt.

 

[nhlfan9191]

We’re at the point where a run for the wildcard is more important then another draft pick I think. The young core like Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, etc all need to start racking up experience in important games even if they do fall short this year. If they go on a massive losing streak before the TDL, then we sell. But right now the message we should be giving the players is we’re going hard for it.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Playoff race is the best, a big reason we are in the playoff race is young guys like Suzuki, Caufield, Hutson, Guhle, Slafkovsky, Heineman, Dobes, etc so letting them continue to play meaningful games will be huge for their growth.

Even if we finish outside the top 10, you can always find great players in the draft in the top 20 - including 3 of our best players.

2014 - Larkin 15th, Sanheim 17th, Tuch 18th
2015 - Barzal 16th, Connor 17th, Chabot 18th
2016 - McAvoy 14th, Chychrun 16th
2017 - Necas 12th, Suzuki 13th, Norris 19th
2018 - Dobson 12th
2019 - Boldy 12th, Caufield 15th, Harley 18th
2020 - Askarov 11th, Lundell 12th, Jarvis 13th, Guhle 16th,

Let the players continue to work for a playoff spot and develop and let our scouts earn their paychecks by trying to find help wherever we end up picking.

 

[LaP]

We’re at the point where a run for the wildcard is more important then another draft pick I think. The young core like Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, etc all need to start racking up experience in important games even if they do fall short this year. If they go on a massive losing streak before the TDL, then we sell. But right now the message we should be giving the players is we’re going hard for it.

Suzuki and Caufield went to a cup final they already have the experience.

My preference and what i think would be best for the team is to trade vets at the TDL and extend nobody and let the kids finish where they can. Reap the reward and let the kids figure it out for 20ish game. Then if you need vets next summer deal with it next summer.

Being in a playoffs race did not do anything for the Wings the last year. They are now behind us. If the team aint good enough experience wont du much.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Suzuki and Caufield went to a cup final they already have the experience.

My preference and what i think would be best for the team is to trade vets at the TDL and extend nobody and let the kids finish where they can. Reap the reward and let the kids figure it out for 20ish game. Then if you need vets next summer deal with it next summer.

That cup run was almost 4 years ago now. All those guys have experienced since is losing. If that goes on too long, that’s how you develop a losing culture. The guys need to start competing again. We can’t be in a constant state of rebuilding. We have lots of draft picks and prospects, I don’t think going into the next draft taking the risk we get a star vs another Kohtkaniemi is the right move.

 

[LaP]

Suzuki will be 26 years of age next season. I have always thought of next year as a time where the the Habs get more aggressive. Not necessarily meaning that they are going to blow their load all at once, but I see it as a time that they shift their mentality away from magic beans.

They may already be at that point this year if they stay in the playoff hunt.

I don't think they are until Demidov is in the lineup and playing like an elite player can. Until then the magic bean mentality should still apply.

That cup run was almost 4 years ago now. All those guys have experienced since is losing. If that goes on too long, that’s how you develop a losing culture. The guys need to start competing again. We can’t be in a constant state of rebuilding. We have lots of draft picks and prospects, I don’t think going into the next draft taking the risk we get a star vs another Kohtkaniemi is the right move.

Experience is not something that erase itself over 4 years. Suzuki should be considered a vet now listing him as a young player who needs exp is imo ridiculous.

 

[JianYang]

That cup run was almost 4 years ago now. All those guys have experienced since is losing. If that goes on too long, that’s how you develop a losing culture. The guys need to start competing again. We can’t be in a constant state of rebuilding. We have lots of draft picks and prospects, I don’t think going into the next draft taking the risk we get a star vs another Kohtkaniemi is the right move.

I'm not worried about suzuki gaining experience in the playoffs. He has 6 rounds under his belt and I'm sold that he is a big stage performer.

But guys like Hutson, guhle, slaf, dach, and even arber could certainly benefit from the experience.

My concern with suzuki is just pushing along the rebuild for so long that you take away some of his best years. You don't want him to be the next Larkin.

 

[nhlfan9191]

I'm not worried about suzuki gaining experience in the playoffs. He has 6 rounds under his belt and I'm sold that he is a big stage performer.

But guys like Hutson, guhle, slaf, dach, and even arber could certainly benefit from the experience.

My concern with suzuki is just pushing along the rebuild for so long that you take away some of his best years. You don't want him to be the next Larkin.

I’m not saying Suzuki hasn’t already shown he can be a clutch playoff player. I’m talking more about being in a playoff race where games are competitive and have something on the line. My biggest worry with players like Suzuki is they start to lose trust in the vision and want to leave over it. Nobody wants to spend their prime rotting on a bottom feeder. It’s also not good for team morale. It’s alright for a couple of seasons. We’re already several years deep in this rebuild. If we sell again and just go threw the motions of the final 20 games of the season again, what message is that sending the players at this point?

 

[Apfel Struble]

I voted for playoffs race in both instances. It's not only about making the playoffs, it's about maintaining a high level of play and compete for the complete season. Playing (or trying to play) a tighter defensive system for 82 games is better than for 50 and you try to pad your stats in the last 30, like last season (which tangentially explains Slafkovsky's great stats)

The Sens and Wings are a good example of that. Both those teams are capable playing solid hockey for stretches of time, but have lacked the consistency necessary to make it in the end. Finding that consistency takes time and it's better to find it early that later. The flipside is that the roster becomes less geared toward young players development

Building a "winning culture" to me is about having a team not being to afford to take a game lightly because they have to win to stay in. It also allows for players development regarding form cycles and schedule variation

 

[Trabdy2]

As long as we stay in the hunt leading up to the TDL, I think it will take a pretty hefty overpay type offer for Hughes to consider trading Savard, Dvorak or Armia. I don't think he wants to disturb the room much and there's a lot of value in having the team continue to play meaningful games through the season to completion. It'll give us more insight into what we really have in our team, and the young players will gain some key experience in the process.

I can easily imagine multiple teams putting offers in on Armia, but I'm not sure he'll be dealt.

With Evans, I think we need to make every effort to get him signed for 3 or 4 years.

 

[Bring Bak Damphousse]

To me it's not about the pick. It's about the opportunity cost of not trading Evans, Savard and Armia. If we trade those guys I'm happy with anything that happens!

I guess you can never have too many 3rd or 4th round picks. The problem is all 3 of those guys have shown how valuable they are, my concern is off loading them and hoping our youngsters are ready. I’d resign all 3 for the right price, and offload dvorak.

As for the question, I’d prefer to be fighting for the playoffs, and miss than a top 5 pick, I think developing a winning culture is more important than drafting someone whose 2-3 years away from the nhl.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Consider the quality of the draft, too. They aren't picking top 4, that ship has sailed. That's pretty much the list of game changing prospects at this point - of course some will emerge, but they are not plainly obvious.

Wanting to push them out of the playoff race and playing meaningful games to draft Jackson Smith over Malcolm Spence isn't really on my wishlist.

 

[Vachon23]

Nick Suzki was drafted 13th Overall
Cole Caufield was drafted 15th Overall
Kaiden Guhle was drafted 16th Overall

Just missing the playoffs is not the end of the world right now at this stage of the build.
*Plus* we have two 1st rounders ANYway

Unfortunately people want a top5 pick for 20 straight years.

Remember in 2020 when we where mad to draft 16th and not 9th to have the chance to draft Perfetti or Rossi ? I wouldn’t trade either for Guhle now

We need to play competitive hockey

Kapanen Beck, Davidson and Demidov area all superior to those 3. Optimally you keep Evans and fire Gallagher into the sun.

In what world are Beck,Davidson and Kapanen are better then Evans ? Beck can probably reach that level but but before 2-3 years

 

[GrandBison]

Playoff race. With the second line playing better, the team is no longer relying on veterans on the exit lane to win. That's interesting for the future.

 

[HuGort]

Cake and eat it too, playoff race and then trade our 2x1sts to the Pens to move up and pick Desnoyers

No team trading a top 5 pick that cheap.

Could work out the best we not in mix, and draft high to get Desnoyers. Also allows us to trade some vets for more picks, use them to move Flames pick up and get Mrtka.

 

[Habs Halifax]

No team trading a top 5 pick that cheap.

Could work out the best we not in mix, and draft high to get Desnoyers. Also allows us to trade some vets for more picks, use them to move Flames pick up and get Mrtka.

I hear the whispers out there that the talent has a drop around 8 ish in this draft? Is this accurate?

Whatever move we can make to get a target of ours, I'm sure Hughes will do his best to trade down for it. Or they have two targets in that 10-18 range. Hage was talked about last draft but not that much from what I can remember.

 

[Habs Halifax]

To me it's not about the pick. It's about the opportunity cost of not trading Evans, Savard and Armia. If we trade those guys I'm happy with anything that happens!

Evans might return a late 1st (maybe). That will come down to what contract he is asking for and if that 1st if offered. If Evans wants to sign for 5x $3M, I'm sure we do it. However, my gut says Hughes is delaying the contract because he wants teams to call and make their pitch. You never know what develops.

Savard won't get a 1st. Running out of gas but I think he can return a 2nd. To be honest, I think Struble can play and we don't get a massive setback without Savard.

Armia's value is very tough to gauge. I can see teams in on him but not wanting to pay a good price. I think he stays

 

[WeThreeKings]

I hear the whispers out there that the talent has a drop around 8 ish in this draft? Is this accurate?

Whatever move we can make to get a target of ours, I'm sure Hughes will do his best to trade down for it. Or they have two targets in that 10-18 range. Hage was talked about last draft but not that much from what I can remember.

At 10.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

Playing strong down the stretch should be a given goal.
How well the big club plays is always No. 1.

Use the some extra picks to move up if possible.

 

[salbutera]

Better pick would be the best.

9-12 pick would be nice in that draft.

The team very clearly isn't a playoffs or contending team.

Really? They sit 2-pts back of a playoff spot - how is that not considered a playoff team?

You qualify for the playoffs = you’re a playoff team

 

[SlafySZN]

Really? They sit 2-pts back of a playoff spot - how is that not considered a playoff team?

You qualify for the playoffs = you’re a playoff team

They’re not. They miss pieces and still need to draft. They won’t make a run in the playoffs anyway. They need to think long term.

 

[dcyhabs]

What loser mentality? How many player from Buffalo have won the Stanley cup after leaving them? Ryan O'Reiley has the MVP for his team. Eichel and Sam Reinhart have been clutch for Vegas and Florida Stanley cup.

For Buffalo is more about bad GM and Coach getting fire every 2 seasons. They also drafted the same type of player (small player)....

If Jeff Skinner end up winning the stanley cup with Edmonton, you can add another name to the list.

Buffalo is impatient. They get prospects, decide they should win, then dump players who haven’t peaked and watch them peak elsewhere. Most of the good teams are pretty successful at picking players off of bad teams.

Players on a team, like the habs until recently, look pretty bad when the team isn’t competitive. You add a good D and an offensive threat and suddenly everyone looks better.

It’s really not time to be dumping young guys.