Prospect Info: Welcome to Montréal, Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1st round pick, 3OA 2018 - signed ELC)

[Mrb1p]

Indeed. And as I said, I like Kotkaniemi, and I'm excited he's a part of the Canadiens now. I truly hope he does become a player we need. I just have tempered expectations, and I'm not as impressed with Timmins' track record as some are.

How about you dont rely on Timmins and form an opinion for yourself though ?

 

[Garbageyuk]

Tempered Expectations means what with your opinion about Kotkaniemi? What do you think his ceiling and basement are?

It's been stated many times in this thread already.

 

[Garbageyuk]

How about you dont rely on Timmins and form an opinion for yourself though ?

I have. Timmins and I obviously have different opinions because I'm not sure I would have picked Kotkaniemi.

 

[Mrb1p]

I have. Timmins and I obviously have different opinions because I'm not sure I would have picked Kotkaniemi.

So hone up to what youre saying, say you dont like the pick, stop half assing.

 

[NotProkofievian]

So hone up to what youre saying, say you dont like the pick, stop half assing.

Not sure what's with the p***y-footing around here. Don't be a jabroni, make a call.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It's been stated many times in this thread already.

Haven't seen what your basement evaluation is on Kotkaniemi yet though? I'm guess you think his ceiling is a #2C and worse case he is a 4th line center? Come on man, clarify it?

 

[Garbageyuk]

So hone up to what youre saying, say you dont like the pick, stop half assing.

The f*** are you talking about? I have in this thread already. Go read it.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Haven't seen what your basement evaluation is on Kotkaniemi yet though? I'm guess you think his ceiling is a #2C and worse case he is a 4th line center? Come on man, clarify it?

How the hell would anyone know what any prospects 'basement' is? The worst case scenario is he doesn't make the NHL, just like with any prospect. Do I think that's likely? No. I think he is most likely to end up as a good 2-way 2C. Obviously some think he can be more, and the possibility is there, but that's what I think is most likely.

 

[Habs Halifax]

How the hell would anyone know what any prospects 'basement' is? The worst case scenario is he doesn't make the NHL, just like with any prospect. Do I think that's likely? No. I think he is most likely to end up as a good 2-way 2C. Obviously some think he can be more, and the possibility is there, but that's what I think is most likely.

So the probability is 2C? Most predictions I have heard and read were 2C with upside to be a #1C. Not sure why you don't like this pick.

 

[NotProkofievian]

How the hell would anyone know what any prospects 'basement' is? The worst case scenario is he doesn't make the NHL, just like with any prospect. Do I think that's likely? No. I think he is most likely to end up as a good 2-way 2C. Obviously some think he can be more, and the possibility is there, but that's what I think is most likely.

General Manager of a Hesburger would probably be a good lower bound for Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

 

[Garbageyuk]

So the probability is 2C? Most predictions I have heard and read were 2C with upside to be a #1C. Not sure why you don't like this pick.

Because I feel there were players available who have higher upside. I don't think it's likely that Kots becomes a 1C, just like I don't think it's likely he ends up as a 4C grinder. I pretty much think he will be Lars Eller with a little more offense, which is great, but I would have preferred the Habs to swing for the fences with the 3rd pick. Hughes, Bouchard, Dobson, Zadina, Wahlstrom. I feel Tkachuk and Kots were safe picks in that they may be less likely to bust than the others, but their ceilings aren't as high. Didn't like Boqvist though - now that's one that is too risky.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Because I feel there were players available who have higher upside. I don't think it's likely that Kots becomes a 2C, just like I don't think it's likely he ends up as a 4C grinder. I pretty much think he will be Lars Eller with a little more offense, which is great, but I would have preferred the Habs to swing for the fences with the 3rd pick. Hughes, Bouchard, Dobson, Zadina, Wahlstrom. I feel Tkachuk and Kots were safe picks in that they may be less likely to bust than the others, but their ceilings aren't as high. Didn't like Boqvist though - now that's one that is too risky.

Time will tell. I think you are small minority in thinking Kotkaniemi does not have as much upside as the guys you mentioned. I can respect you for sticking your neck out but I also don't agree with your evaluation on Kotkaniemi. He has the tools you look for in a top 2 center and he is one of the youngest of this draft year. The hype from the 2nd half on is real cause he is peaking late and he is on a steep development curve.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Time will tell. I think you are small minority in thinking Kotkaniemi does not have as much upside as the guys you mentioned.

Fair enough. I do hope I'm wrong though. Btw, there was a critical typo in my post, but you quoted it before I edited lol.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Fair enough. I do hope I'm wrong though. Btw, there was a critical typo in my post, but you quoted it before I edited lol.

1C vs 2C. At the end of the day, if Kotkaniemi becomes a very good 2C, it's still a win for the Habs. That is worth a top line winger.

Kotkaniemi goal scoring ability is underrated. He likes to make plays but he knows when to shoot the puck and he can pick corners like Zadina can.

 

[Saxon]

Because I feel there were players available who have higher upside. I don't think it's likely that Kots becomes a 1C, just like I don't think it's likely he ends up as a 4C grinder. I pretty much think he will be Lars Eller with a little more offense, which is great, but I would have preferred the Habs to swing for the fences with the 3rd pick. Hughes, Bouchard, Dobson, Zadina, Wahlstrom. I feel Tkachuk and Kots were safe picks in that they may be less likely to bust than the others, but their ceilings aren't as high. Didn't like Boqvist though - now that's one that is too risky.

The only one I think has more upside is Hughes. TBH.

 

[Garbageyuk]

1C vs 2C. At the end of the day, if Kotkaniemi becomes a very good 2C, it's still a win for the Habs. That is worth a top line winger.

Right. But not a 1D. And many people think Zadina could end up as a premier goal-scorer.

 

[Habs Halifax]

The only one I think has more upside is Hughes. TBH.

Fair IMO.

 

[Sorinth]

But you and I both know that if they aren't on fire by this time next year some on this board will declare them to be busts. I've already seen it happen with Sherback, who could easily become our next star player if he doesn't get traded first due to impatience on the part of management. All I know is that when he was drafted people were very high on him and his high-end offensive skills.

Hardly anyone will call them busts, but the fact is if they don't progress then it's a red flag. There is every reason to be concerned if they aren't better this season compared to last.

 

[jaffy27]

If anything Galchenyuk has taught us the importance of hockey IQ, effort level, and work ethic in terms of reaching ones potential as a centerman- all things Kotkaniemi has in spades.

Poetry

 

[Garbageyuk]

The only one I think has more upside is Hughes. TBH.

I think Hughes has higher upside than anyone outside of Svech and Dahlin. But I also think he carries the highest bust risk. I wouldn't have picked him. I think the others have higher upside than Kots.

 

[Saxon]

I mean you have to wonder if the Habs passed on Zadina and Dobson after bringing in two of the sharpest minds from the Q then there is probably a reason.

 

[Redux91]

Right. But not a 1D. And many people think Zadina could end up as a premier goal-scorer.

And many people THINK a whole bunch of shit about kotkaniemi, and think a whole bunch of stuff for svechnikov, and think a whole bunch of stuff for every prospect until the end of time

we wont know anything until they get on the ice bud. and even then it will take time

but id love for people to stop bringing up Zadina's hypothetical "loads of goals" as if they have already happened or as if they are an absolute guarantee at the NHL level

 

[Saxon]

I think Hughes has higher upside than anyone outside of Svech and Dahlin. But I also think he carries the highest bust risk. I wouldn't have picked him. I think the others have higher upside than Kots.

Hughes and Kotkaniemi were my picks at three.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Right. But not a 1D. And many people think Zadina could end up as a premier goal-scorer.

I know Zadina very well. I also saw how he looks when he goes up against a more physical team with a mature defense. He can be contained and he needs a solid center. Somppi was hurt for the Mooseheads in the playoffs and Zadina was limited. The Mooseheads lost 4 straight to the Islanders and Zadina was contained. Heck, Parent played better than Zadina when there was less time and space and more competition.

There is a big difference in skating between Zadina and Hischer. Hischer made the NHL as a 18 year old cause his skating is very very good. Zadina has good edge work but his skating is not as good. I don't think it's fair to crown Zadina and limit Kotkaniemi at this stage. There is also a reason why Zadina slipped a bit. He is a goal scoring winger with play making ability but he is not going to drive the play. His value is on the PP. Kotkaniemi has more upside. He can play on the PP, score goals with his shot, and he can also drive the play 5/5. He can do it all really. All he needs to do is fill into the big frame and work on his skating which is not far off from where Zadina's skating is at the moment.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Because I feel there were players available who have higher upside. I don't think it's likely that Kots becomes a 1C, just like I don't think it's likely he ends up as a 4C grinder. I pretty much think he will be Lars Eller with a little more offense, which is great, but I would have preferred the Habs to swing for the fences with the 3rd pick. Hughes, Bouchard, Dobson, Zadina, Wahlstrom. I feel Tkachuk and Kots were safe picks in that they may be less likely to bust than the others, but their ceilings aren't as high. Didn't like Boqvist though - now that's one that is too risky.

Kohtkaniemi was anything but a save pick. He’s as risky as they come. Playing it save would have been taking Zadina, Tkachuk or one of the defenceman. Usually I’d say Bergevin and the scouting staff were complete fools to take a player like this with a #3 pick due to he didn’t enter top 10 consideration until later last season. But we really had no choice but to get one of the better centers in this draft with how bad the depth is/was at all levels of this organization for years. And to be honest, watching certain players drop and get picked all over the place the first 12 picks tells you that most teams had a lot of trouble separating everyone after the first 2.