HF Habs: What are your initial impressions of the Habs 2023 Draft class?

[ChesterNimitz]

#31/#37 traded for Newhook - Considering the Fowler pick somewhat redeemed the slight overpayment of adding #37 instead of a lesser quality asset in the Newhook deal, I’d say B+. Since I would have went with a goalie with one of the pick anyways, quite confident gambling on Newhook will generate better results that any forwards still available at that range.

This is an excellent overview of Montreal’s strategy at the recent draft and the merits of that strategy. If Reinbacher proves to be the player that he now projects to be and Newhook develops as Hughes projects and out performs the players taken at 31 or 37, the acquisition of these two players alone makes this a B+ draft. In the event either of the two goalies taken become NHL level players, then this may well be seen as an A level draft, even if my confidence in Mittelstadt is unfounded.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I too have been on this site for 20+ years and I have been amused by the inconsistency of the arguments advanced here. A segment of posters here complain of the timidity of Hughes in drafting Reinbacher over Michkov, the presumptive BPA at that point in the draft, while vilifying Hughes for his aggressive (and decidedly risky) acquisition of Newhook. In law, we call that blowing and sucking at the same time. A talent , if not a virtue, of some posters here.

In science we call that false equivalency. You're also using a strawmen as I'm sure those people would tell you that they simply believe one gamble was better than the other.

Also, in most people's books, when you need to collate opinions from different people to make it look as one mentality held by all you disagree with, it makes you look intellectually lazy.

 

[BLONG7]

I too have been on this site for 20+ years and I have been amused by the inconsistency of the arguments advanced here. A segment of posters here complain of the timidity of Hughes in drafting Reinbacher over Michkov, the presumptive BPA at that point in the draft, while vilifying Hughes for his aggressive (and decidedly risky) acquisition of Newhook. In law, we call that blowing and sucking at the same time. A talent , if not a virtue, of some posters here.

I think in the last 20 years, we have seen some pretty hot takes...............that said, there are many posters who share things which makes good sense..............
Opinions...............pretty much what they are.

We have had all been right at times, and wrong at times..........the younger crowd now, are absolutely incensed when you disagree with them, it's very strange how some can become so upset, when your opinion doesn't match theirs.

Habs have had 2 very good drafts under the current management group. I do understand it's hard to be patient though...

 

[BJCOLLINS]

I’ve been a life long fan, I’ve enjoyed many cups and followed the team closely from the Form to newspapers & hockey cards. I never thought we’d go decades without a cup or years with organizational dysfunction?
I have to remember that my view of this team is from the 30k foot level.
From that vantage point I had 5 BPA in this draft, however we selected the best RHD in the draft. HuGo & Molson met with the kids and have stated they want to get back to the talented player with integrity type….think Le Gros Bill. I’ve watched video of the kid we selected and he is a humble yet confident young man…management have a better read on the players they passed on than the fans like me. Reinbacher has already made an impact on last years gem Lane Hutson & others. Also, I enjoyed what I’ve read & watched of Fowler, Xhekaj…..late picks are always a gamble I just hope they turn out like Andrei Markov. Finally Newhook, I’ve followed him since he was a kid in the Q draft. I like his tools and potential.
Look our young fans and older fans alike are carrying a lot of scar tissue from past drafts and trades, so pessimism & scepticism are valid points of view but from 30k feet for a change, we are due. Cheers.

 

[Whitesnake]

I too have been on this site for 20+ years and I have been amused by the inconsistency of the arguments advanced here. A segment of posters here complain of the timidity of Hughes in drafting Reinbacher over Michkov, the presumptive BPA at that point in the draft, while vilifying Hughes for his aggressive (and decidedly risky) acquisition of Newhook. In law, we call that blowing and sucking at the same time. A talent , if not a virtue, of some posters here.

There's nothing risky in going with Reinbacher. On the contrary. Everybody who disagree with the pick agrees that the kid will play in the NHL. While some don't even know if Michkov game will translate enough. As far as the Newhook move, yet again, the kid got 30 points, playing a limited role with limited teamates. With some PP time on the 1st, stats suggest that Newhook will have a better career than maybe both picks combined.

Personnally, I would have been up for a full rebuild. Complete. Tank hard. Pick up plenty of picks in the top 2 rounds, For at least 3-4 years, and go from there. Bergie went vets. Hughes is going in between. Don,t wait for picks...but pick up younger players. It worked with Dach. He thinks it will work with Newhook and he has the advantage to know the kid's character.

Frankly, this whole draft screams being prudent. And assuring yourself as a GM that you are bringing surefire NHL'er. I really don't see the risk here.

You know what a real risk would have been and I would have applauded it? If that Predators deal was really in play. Askarov plus 2 picks for Pick 5. Especially since Pick 5 was Reinbacher. Askarov, Moore and Bonk. Instaed of Reinbacher. Where do I sign.

But in the end, there,s nothing more safe than picking Reinbacher and a kid you know immensely well.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I think in the last 20 years, we have seen some pretty hot takes...............that said, there are many posters who share things which makes good sense..............
Opinions...............pretty much what they are.

We have had all been right at times, and wrong at times..........the younger crowd now, are absolutely incensed when you disagree with them, it's very strange how some can become so upset, when your opinion doesn't match theirs.

Habs have had 2 very good drafts under the current management group. I do understand it's hard to be patient

There's nothing risky in going with Reinbacher. On the contrary. Everybody who disagree with the pick agrees that the kid will play in the NHL. While some don't even know if Michkov game will translate enough. As far as the Newhook move, yet again, the kid got 30 points, playing a limited role with limited teamates. With some PP time on the 1st, stats suggest that Newhook will have a better career than maybe both picks combined.

Personnally, I would have been up for a full rebuild. Complete. Tank hard. Pick up plenty of picks in the top 2 rounds, For at least 3-4 years, and go from there. Bergie went vets. Hughes is going in between. Don,t wait for picks...but pick up younger players. It worked with Dach. He thinks it will work with Newhook and he has the advantage to know the kid's character.

Frankly, this whole draft screams being prudent. And assuring yourself as a GM that you are bringing surefire NHL'er. I really don't see the risk here.

You know what a real risk would have been and I would have applauded it? If that Predators deal was really in play. Askarov plus 2 picks for Pick 5. Especially since Pick 5 was Reinbacher. Askarov, Moore and Bonk. Instaed of Reinbacher. Where do I sign.

But in the end, there,s nothing more safe than picking Reinbacher and a kid you know immensely well.

Apparently, not everyone here agrees to adopting a measured approach. I personally would have taken Leonard over Reinbacher. But that is quibbling as both will play, and play well in the NHL. I had no interest in Michkov as small, talented players who don’t possess elite skating ability have trouble replicating their scoring prowess at the NHL level. The Newhook acquisition was a gutsy transaction and shows that Hughes is prepared to be aggressive in securing a player he has identified as being able of helping drive the team towards success. As opposed to previous administrations, Hughes and company seem to have a roadmap. Look at the talent and assets he has assembled in just over a year. Now let’s see if it all works out.

 

[Scriptor]

Apparently, not everyone here agrees to adopting a measured approach. I personally would have taken Leonard over Reinbacher. But that is quibbling as both will play, and play well in the NHL. I had no interest in Michkov as small, talented players who don’t possess elite skating ability have trouble replicating their scoring prowess at the NHL level. The Newhook acquisition was a gutsy transaction and shows that Hughes is prepared to be aggressive in securing a player he has identified as being able of helping drive the team towards success. As opposed to previous administrations, Hughes and company seem to have a roadmap. Look at the talent and assets he has assembled in just over a year. Now let’s see if it all works out.

Hughes definitely has a roadmap and he is also willing to examine what untapped upside is available at a reasonable cost, confident that the development team assembled will help players come closer to their projected ceilings, young or even older.

Matheson appears to have also been a good swing for the bleachers, so far. He still needs to replicate the second half of the season last year over a full season and with more on the line, but it at least looks like Hughes will be able to get a player below his true value and trade him at peak value (during the final year of his contrat in three years) - Solis asset management.

Reinbacher and Slafkovsky will be keys to the rebuild, as a 1st OA and 5th OA pick should be.

If both prove to be genuine building blocks to a strong core, the Habs will be in an excellent position going forward.

If players like Hutson, Mailloux, Roy and Beck also pan out, this team will have an excellent to elite D-Corps and a depth of talent up front for the top-9 with Suzuki, Dach, Beck, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Roy...

Anderson, RHP and Heineman will bring skilled depth with a strong work ethic to that top-9, maybe 4th line as well..

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Hughes definitely has a roadmap and he is also willing to examine what untapped upside is available at a reasonable cost, confident that the development team assembled will help players come closer to their projected ceilings, young or even older.

Matheson appears to have also been a good swing for the bleachers, so far. He still needs to replicate the second half of the season last year over a full season and with more on the line, but it at least looks like Hughes will be able to get a player below his true value and trade him at peak value (during the final year of his contrat in three years) - Solis asset management.

Reinbacher and Slafkovsky will be keys to the rebuild, as a 1st OA and 5th OA pick should be.

If both prove to be genuine building blocks to a strong core, the Habs will be in an excellent position going forward.

If players like Hutson, Mailloux, Roy and Beck also pan out, this team will have an excellent to elite D-Corps and a depth of talent up front for the top-9 with Suzuki, Dach, Beck, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Roy...

Anderson, RHP and Heineman will bring skilled depth with a strong work ethic to that top-9, maybe 4th line as well..

Imagine, an insightful plan. We have made a quantum leap from the Houle-like leadership regimes.

 

[angusyoung]

Don't know,can't say till I see them lace it up in some competitive hockey with their eventual peers. Just remaining hopeful that some will pan out and become meaningful and positive contributors.

 

[1909]

Newhook was not (is not) a needed component for this team. He is not the type of player they needed.

 

[angusyoung]

Newhook was not (is not) a needed component for this team. He is not the type of player they needed.

Depends on how the rest of the roster shapes up once done with the building,it's possible,time will tell.

 

[angusyoung]

In science we call that false equivalency. You're also using a strawmen as I'm sure those people would tell you that they simply believe one gamble was better than the other.

Also, in most people's books, when you need to collate opinions from different people to make it look as one mentality held by all you disagree with, it makes you look intellectually lazy.

Cyndi says hello

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Newhook was not (is not) a needed component for this team. He is not the type of player they needed.

Every team can use more speed. Tell me which player on our current roster has Newhook’s speed? His very presence on the roster raises the median level of this team’s overall speed. Newhook can play in many game situations; including power plays, 4 on 4 and 3 on 3. In overtime we had few options after Suzuki and Caufield finished their shift. The drop off was significant. Newhook’s presence and his great speed just made that next rotation viable, if not dangerous. It will be great to watch this kid flying out there instead of Armia, Gallagher, etc.

 

[HuGort]

Probably a D. Because it was one of best drafts ever and we had bunch extra picks. Drafting 5th overall each round. We come out of it with Reinbacher and Newhook.

 

[montreal]

I really thought the pick would be Leonard, watching these 2 Team USA games for each team blue/white, can't really put much stock good or bad into this as USA on the whole in day 1 looked like shit for the most part and day 2 they dominated as you would expect them to.

One guy that impressed me a lot as I thought he was one of USA's best players yesterday was Oliver Moore. I had badly hoped we could land Will Smith and use the 31st and 37th to move up to get Moore if he fell enough. What a sick haul that would been for our forwards.

Oddly enough the other player for USA that has impressed me the most is Nazar, so boy could the Hawks be set with Bedard, Nazar and Moore plus whatever else they end up doing/having (can't say I follow them at all) but as a big fan of all 3 I am jealous of that haul. Of course it may not end up well.

 

[Bombshell11]

Newhook was not (is not) a needed component for this team. He is not the type of player they needed.

Molson letting Hughe trading 2 nice picks for one of his players is ridiculous.

 

[Belial]

Molson letting Hughe trading 2 nice picks for one of his players is ridiculous.

Thinking Molson decides what players get picked or what trades should be made is even more ridiculous.

 

[Bombshell11]

Thinking Molson decides what players get picked or what trades should be made is even more ridiculous.

Thats not what i said.

 

[Belial]

Thats not what i said.

Hmmm, you said Molson allowed Hughes to trade picks for Newhook...

 

[Bombshell11]

Hmmm, you said Molson allowed Hughes to trade picks for Newhook...

As an owner he's got the final say on every decision but micro managing the team is not his function.

Making sure Hughe works for the good of the team and not just for his own personal interest is definitely part of his job.

 

[Belial]

As an owner he's got the final say on every decision but micro managing the team is not his function.

Making sure Hughe works for the good of the team and not just for his own personal interest is definitely part of his job.

So in your opinion, Hughes got Newhook just for his own personal interest? and what that interest would be? Make Newhook rich?

I don't even understand where are you trying to go with this.

 

[Bombshell11]

So in your opinion, Hughes got Newhook just for his own personal interest? and what that interest would be? Make Newhook rich?

I don't even understand where are you trying to go with this.

You do, but i think you're trying to hard to look at too many avenues. I know you're very intelligent. It's probably late, you're just answering to be nice.

If honestly you don't understand what i'm saying maybe it's not that important to you so its better to leave it at that instead of going back in fourth on something that doesn't need that much analysing

 

[Belial]

You do, but i think you're trying to hard to look at too many avenues. I know you're very intelligent. It's probably late, you're just answering to be nice.

If honestly you don't understand what i'm saying maybe it's not that important to you so its better to leave it at that instead of going back in fourth on something that doesn't need that much analysing

I just don't agree with your idea that Molson intervenes in hockey operations as much as you think he does.

He hired not one but two Hockey minds to operate his club, he's probably paying them close to 7M/year to do their job and you think he's questioning/interfering with their decisions left and right?

He would be the worst owner ever if he was doing that.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

So in your opinion, Hughes got Newhook just for his own personal interest? and what that interest would be? Make Newhook rich?

I don't even understand where are you trying to go with this.

You do, but i think you're trying to hard to look at too many avenues. I know you're very intelligent. It's probably late, you're just answering to be nice.

If honestly you don't understand what i'm saying maybe it's not that important to you so its better to leave it at that instead of going back in fourth on something that doesn't need that much analysing

He's saying it was nepotism. Seems to be a lot of that going on in this org.

 

[Belial]

He's saying it was nepotism. Seems to be a lot of that going on in this org.

I got that part of the idea but that doesn't mean Molson will step in and say" Hey that's enough of you going after your ex-clients! "