Which player should the Mtl Canadiens pick with their 1 st choice?

[Paddy17]

Exactly!

He knows that he will be in the NHL next season and is trying to play as similar a style of play that he can to the NHL.

He is an interesting case for a 1OA, as he may need to be coaxed to open up his game a little more in order to maximize his skillset. Usually you need to pull the reigns on these kids as they tend to neglect their defensive responsibilities, but he may require the opposite instruction.

Hopefully HuGo can sign a UFA like Mikheyev to play with him as I don't care for most of the options. Lehkonen would have been a nice fit as would have Toffoli. A healthy Byron or a motivated Armia could work but who knows what the future holds for both of them

I would target Mikheyev as well. Size, speed, defensive awareness, and a desire to play a bigger offensive role.

 

[Deebs]

1. Montreal Canadiens - Logan Cooley C

looks good eh

Not as good as ......

1. Montreal Canadiens - Shane Wright C

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

They are trying to create controversy to have some drama to talk about. Except Snake Boisvert, he just drank too much coolaid, Geekies is not the real #1 prospect of the draft.

I think many are pissed Wright didn't have a "generational" season this year too, despite his 2nd OHL year being similar to McDavid 2nd season. And Wright did it while focusing on playing defense (confirmed by Kingston DG Kory Cooper in an interview with 91.9 Sports).

Many seems to want to ignore he missed an entire year of hockey too. Look at it this way, he missed an entire year while everyone else in the top 10 didn't. All the Euros and US players played last year and Savoie went to the US to play. Yet Wright is still considered #1 by most scouts.

You mean their first seasons were similar, their rookie seasons. Wright did not play his second season/second year.

McD played 3 seasons over 3 years, Wright played 2 seasons over 3 years, the 1st and the 3rd year. Their rookie seasons being the most similar.

 

[MTL-rules]

"Logan Cooley’s style of play is one which every team in the NHL could use on their roster. He’s an extremely talented two-way forward, and where he may lack in size to some, he certainly more than makes up for it by playing an extremely mature game in all areas of the ice. Cooley can be trusted in every situation, regardless of how the game is playing out. His two-way game is arguably amongst the top of the class, if not already sitting atop the list."

Logan Cooley would offer an element to our team has been severely lacking since the Kovalev days, sprinkle in Vanek and Radulov.
Elite Offensive Skill.

He also fits in nicely behind Suzuki, and I feel that would be a much more lethal combo than with Wright. Add in his competitiveness, skating, puck possession play, and not to mention- consistent play. I feel it would almost be a no brainer to miss him.

Who is Logan Cooley? USNTDP forward is top American prospect in 2022 NHL Draft class | Sporting News

Cooley has been playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program.

www.sportingnews.com

Except that Wright has been better offensively than him his entire life...

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Is Wright the only one with flaws?

I swear thats all that is being talked about.

I get as top ranked he gets examined most but the others have as many concerns to their game. Its also funny that people keep giving the "what ifs" with him but none of the other top prospects. It only applies to him it seems, the rest will hit their potential

Honestly, im ok with most of the top 5. They all have a lot of work to do. There is no generational talent this yr

Well, Cooley seems to have more drive and his 18yold USHL stats compare favorably with a guy like Caufield.

The problem with Wright is having to wonder if his development simply stagnated because of the covid hiatus and can get up to another level or if he simply just is what he is.

Maybe he comes up and reaches another level, or maybe he's NHL ready but won't get that much better as he's already well trained.

I'm just scared he's one of those well developed kids who won't have a high ceiling.

 

[Whitesnake]

ONe thing I'd like to konw...everytime I read that he's 6'1''...I don't believe it. Of course he plays a little smaller 'cause of the way he skates and all....but is he really? There are reports out there that states that he'd be lucky to be just 6'0''....Hopoing he goes to the Combine so we'll know...

 

[morhilane]

You mean their first seasons were similar, their rookie seasons. Wright did not play his second season/second year.

McD played 3 seasons over 3 years, Wright played 2 seasons over 3 years, the 1st and the 3rd year. Their rookie seasons being the most similar.

Players are compared in term of game played especially when it comes to development, not how long they have been in a league. Everyone except Wright who has been expected to be as developed as a guy who played 3 season when he has only played 2 of them.

McDavid: 119 gp/165 pts
Wright: 121 gp/160 pts

Every DY and D-1 players in the OHL had a down year in term of production compared to previous DY/D-1. It wasn't just Wright. The lost year impacted everyone's development.

 

[Richard Bolton]

ONe thing I'd like to konw...everytime I read that he's 6'1''...I don't believe it. Of course he plays a little smaller 'cause of the way he skates and all....but is he really? There are reports out there that states that he'd be lucky to be just 6'0''....Hopoing he goes to the Combine so we'll know...

I've seen pictures of him beside guys who were beyond 6'1 and he looked only slightly smaller. I do believe he's in the 6'0 - 6'1 range.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Well, Cooley seems to have more drive and his 18yold USHL stats compare favorably with a guy like Caufield.

The problem with Wright is having to wonder if his development simply stagnated because of the covid hiatus and can get up to another level or if he simply just is what he is.

Maybe he comes up and reaches another level, or maybe he's NHL ready but won't get that much better as he's already well trained.

I'm just scared he's one of those well developed kids who won't have a high ceiling.

If you believe in BPA, you take Wright. Questions marks can be applied to all players in that top 10. Totally understand the worry of Wright disappointing like Patrick but Cooley can disappoint like Turcotte as well. Slaf can disappoint like KK.

I see a lot of comparisons to Dahlin. Guys high on the radar for a few years and in their draft year, they were focused on their complete games vs racking up points. Dahlin working on his Defensive game and Wright working his 200' game.

Personally, I would have more concerns if Wright had more points but was a turnover king and was uninspired to play defense.

 

[Deebs]

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

No he's not.

In terms of fewest flaws, it's Wright and Nemec actually.

Thats what i believe. Its almost like people are talking themselves out of taking Wright.

I love Cooley, he is dynamic and plays a high octane game. Id have no issues at 1 with him. There are concerns tho. I dont think size will be an issue but its possible it is. Will his style translate?

Cant say much on Nemec or Jiricek. Looks like Jiriceks knee is healed. I do like the idea of potential number 1 Ds as MTL sorely lacks one

Slaf i only saw at the Olympics and of course looked good. Again, there are concerns. Many that people are overlooking in the, anything but Wright mode.

Just with saying it, it seems more are just taking their choice, focus only on their peers choices flaws but ignoring all fhe prospects have warts.

 

[dcyhabs]

Have to see how they all do this year. The best players from this draft are going to be the ones that improve the most in the next two years, not necessarily who is best now. Could actually be Geekie if he dramatically improves his skating, Savoie if he grows or even if he doesn't, Slafkovsky if he continues to improve.

Wright is probably the best choice, high floor, high ceiling, not huge but not small, plays an NHL quality game. Question is whether he was just a very mature 15 year old and whether he can get back on his development path.

 

[Habano]

Just a hunch, could be wrong. But there's Snake Boisvert saying Wright's not elite, that CBC piece asking Wright to his face ''why do you think we don't see you as generational anymore?'' and that tweet a week ago saying that ''Bergeron should be offended to have Wright compared to him.''

I agree about the media.

I had to laugh at the Boisvert podcast. He looks bitter that no NHL or Mlb teams offered him a position. The guy comes off as arrogant but desperate.

Geekie might turn out to be a great player but anyone who has him ranked 1st at this point in time, is just looking for an "I told you so" card to hold for the future in the unlikely event that they're right. I won't even get into Nicushkin over Mackinnon lol

 

[The Last Red]

Go the safe route with Shane Wright. No one will hold it against them if he doesn't pan out. If they pick someone else and the player bust, oh boy.

Totally disagree. The people who run the Canadiens, or any professional sports organization, are paid millions to pick who they believe will be the best players and best fits for the team, not to go the "safe route." It may be that they feel that Wright is the best player and best fit, but if they think it's someone else, that's who they should pick, even if we don't agree. Get the the guy you actually want, and since you have the first overall pick for the first time in 42 years, you can actually get the guy you want!

 

[ottawa]

Nope. Not at all. Suzuki is actually Bergeron. Wright is Tavares with a better D. Bergeron > Tavares not even a fair comparison.

Lol, you've been spending too much time in the prospects forum if you think Wright = Tavares

As people mentioned, he had a slow start but has been on fire in the 2nd half, something like 1.74ppg. He might lack intensity but he doesn't lack effort...both of which I think Tavares struggles with when I watch him.

 

[Justsayin]

I pick the one who is the hardest worker on and off the ice - off the ice in particular. From what I've heard, that's Wright.

 

[SOLR]

Lol, you've been spending too much time in the prospects forum if you think Wright = Tavares

As people mentioned, he had a slow start but has been on fire in the 2nd half, something like 1.74ppg. He might lack intensity but he doesn't lack effort...both of which I think Tavares struggles with when I watch him.

Because Tavares was never 20-23 years old with none of his current issues. Your argument is pretty poor when you don't even know the argument for comparing him to Tavares. I don't think his ceiling is a 1st line forward.

 

[ottawa]

Because Tavares was never 20-23 years old with none of his current issues. Your argument is pretty poor when you don't even know the argument for comparing him to Tavares. I don't think his ceiling is a 1st line forward.

Why would he be the concensus #1 pick by large if his ceiling isn't a 1st line forward? This is just absurd lol

Is there something you know that the rest of the world doesn't that you'd like to share?

It's one thing to say he won't pan out as a #1C, but to say his ceiling isn't a 1st line forward seems extra.

 

[Hacketts]

Yeah not the most inspiring write up lol.

 

[SOLR]

Why would he be the concensus #1 pick by large if his ceiling isn't a 1st line forward? This is just absurd lol

Is there something you know that the rest of the world doesn't that you'd like to share?

It's one thing to say he won't pan out as a #1C, but to say his ceiling isn't a 1st line forward seems extra.

Why was Yakupov a concensus #1 pick? That's absurd too? (Consensus #1 means giggly-squat, it means nothing). The answer to your question is so simple: not every year is a good year at the top (I do think Nemec's ceiling is the highest by far).

I don't know anything that the rest of the world doesn't know it's just my opinion and I don't think it's an absurd opinion, that I think Wright will be Kreiji/Tavares. Many many many scouts are naming the same players and saying Wright loves to talk about Bergeron, but he's no Bergeron at all. He can watch as many tapes as we would like, he'll never be Bergeron.

But my statement is not that his ceiling is not a #1C, my statement is that he won't be a #1C on a team that matters. He's a very good 2C on a contender - ie. he won't be "the man".

 

[Deebs]

I love that we'll have two Bergeron style Centers on our club for the foreseeable future.

 

[ottawa]

Why was Yakupov a concensus #1 pick? That's absurd too? (Consensus #1 means giggly-squat, it means nothing). The answer to your question is so simple: not every year is a good year at the top (I do think Nemec's ceiling is the highest by far).

I don't know anything that the rest of the world doesn't know it's just my opinion and I don't think it's an absurd opinion, that I think Wright will be Kreiji/Tavares. Many many many scouts are naming the same players and saying Wright loves to talk about Bergeron, but he's no Bergeron at all. He can watch as many tapes as we would like, he'll never be Bergeron.

But my statement is not that his ceiling is not a #1C, my statement is that he won't be a #1C on a team that matters. He's a very good 2C on a contender - ie. he won't be "the man".

Yakupov is a brutal comparison, he was the clear #1 but his development really went off the rails once he reached the NHL. I genuinely can't explain that.

To your point, yes #1 OA's can bust but Wright isn't a good comparable to Yakupov because he plays a 200ft game. I think Tavares is an elite possession guy but I wouldn't say he focuses on defensive play that much. Maybe the Bergeron comparisons are unfair (to Bergeron) but I don't think the Tavares comparison isn't accurate either.

I feel like most people mentioning Tavares is mostly based on effort and not playing style - although you said your comparison wasn't about Wright's effort level.

 

[First Line]

I agree about the media.

I had to laugh at the Boisvert podcast. He looks bitter that no NHL or Mlb teams offered him a position. The guy comes off as arrogant but desperate.

Geekie might turn out to be a great player but anyone who has him ranked 1st at this point in time, is just looking for an "I told you so" card to hold for the future in the unlikely event that they're right. I won't even get into Nicushkin over Mackinnon lol

Not trying to defend him, as no adult person should still use a nickname, but Boisvert said he is looking for “value picks”, so he would move down from 1st to pick Geekie.
If you pick anyone 1st you don’t get value in this draft, not saying it makes sense but that his thinking.

 

[Colezuki]

Yakupov is a brutal comparison, he was the clear #1 but his development really went off the rails once he reached the NHL. I genuinely can't explain that.

To your point, yes #1 OA's can bust but Wright isn't a good comparable to Yakupov because he plays a 200ft game. I think Tavares is an elite possession guy but I wouldn't say he focuses on defensive play that much. Maybe the Bergeron comparisons are unfair (to Bergeron) but I don't think the Tavares comparison isn't accurate either.

I feel like most people mentioning Tavares is mostly based on effort and not playing style - although you said your comparison wasn't about Wright's effort level.

I feel theres a few different people mentioning Tavares for a few different reasons

Tavares Quality #1C
Concerns around his skating
similar things with exceptional status and only ok performance in his final year.

I don't know if I agree but I don't think many think they play alike. I actually see a lot of suzuki when i've watched him

 

[ottawa]

I feel theres a few different people mentioning Tavares for a few different reasons

Tavares Quality #1C
Concerns around his skating
similar things with exceptional status and only ok performance in his final year.

I don't know if I agree but I don't think many think they play alike. I actually see a lot of suzuki when i've watched him

Ah I see, gotcha

Fair enough then, hopefully they're all wrong. Important to remember he heated up towards the end of the year (1.74 in 2nd half or something) after a year off due to covid. I'm sure a lot of these concerns (minus the skating one that I was actually unaware of) would have gone away.