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

[Bourne Endeavor]

There is no debate here. You absolutely draft Wright. This is the first time in nearly two decades we'll have potentially cemented our top line center depth. While we're definitely weak on defense, we can look to shore that up with later picks and next year's draft since we're likely still a bottom team.

Wright has too much potential to be a top tier defensive center; our own Bergeron. Even if he never reaches those lofty heights, a slightly lower grade Bergeron is still a fantastic player. And for once, I'm not terrified our development staff will ruin him. What MSL did with Caufield alone gives me hope the kids coming in next season will have a solid coaching experience to grow and learn from.

 

[Draft]

I'd recommend everyone take a couple days and start analyzing Cooley like he's the projected 1AO. Is he a franchise player? Does he have limitations? Is he an all-situations, every match-up, 1st line center? A lot of people seem to be judging Wright as if he was in a draft of all the former 1OA players of the last decade and not taking this draft for what it is.

If there was no Wright in this draft, would you be happy drafting Cooley? Or would we be talking about his 'only good' production while playing with high-end linemates, his lack of strength/size, how his pond hockey style may not translate, and possible character issues we'd conjure out of nowhere? I've seen a lot of criticism of Wright but very little talk about the pros/cons of taking anyone else as a 1OA.

 

[Mandala]

We have not hit many home runs in first round in many years. If we got a good player 33% of the time in the past we would be less nervous with our first round pick. I think that we have to improve drafting for many years in a row, including second round picks. If we can't improve drafting, start trading picks for proven young players.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'd recommend everyone take a couple days and start analyzing Cooley like he's the projected 1AO. Is he a franchise player? Does he have limitations? Is he an all-situations, every match-up, 1st line center? A lot of people seem to be judging Wright as if he was in a draft of all the former 1OA players of the last decade and not taking this draft for what it is.

If there was no Wright in this draft, would you be happy drafting Cooley? Or would we be talking about his 'only good' production while playing with high-end linemates, his lack of strength/size, how his pond hockey style may not translate, and possible character issues we'd conjure out of nowhere? I've seen a lot of criticism of Wright but very little talk about the pros/cons of taking anyone else as a 1OA.

The criticism of Cooleys game is basically two things
1. His height
2. His willingness to be too flashy at times.

The reason I'm not worried about 1 is because he's not that much shorter than Suzuki, Crosby, taller than Point, etc. He's also strong and physical. I've never seen his size be disadvantageous to him and he has the elusiveness and skating to be effective.

2. His game was highly pro level prior to December and he heard the criticisms that he wasn't creative enough or dynamic enough. Then he started pushing himself and showing off his natural skill. Since I've seen both elements of his game, I know they are both there and he can marry the two over time.

They are very close as prospects this point based on Cooleys progression and Wrights lack of evolution this year.

So based on the data and evaluations I have (knowing our scouting staff will have more) the difference for me is Cooleys will, different style of play to contrast Suzuki, and his dynamic qualities. We need game breakers.

 

[ZUKI]

I'm judging his play-offs yes, because that's the only play-off evaluation we will get before the draft.

Would you prefer that our scouts don't watch his play-off tape and ask 0 questions about it?

our scouts have watched the kid for years now, they probably have seen hundreds hours of his games. Yes they watched his playoffs performance, but because they are pro, they will get the overall picture of him instead of just focusing on 3-4 games . And if the kid plays injured, they will know it and won't over-react .

 

[Draft]

The criticism of Cooleys game is basically two things
1. His height
2. His willingness to be too flashy at times.

The reason I'm not worried about 1 is because he's not that much shorter than Suzuki, Crosby, taller than Point, etc. He's also strong and physical. I've never seen his size be disadvantageous to him and he has the elusiveness and skating to be effective.

2. His game was highly pro level prior to December and he heard the criticisms that he wasn't creative enough or dynamic enough. Then he started pushing himself and showing off his natural skill. Since I've seen both elements of his game, I know they are both there and he can marry the two over time.

They are very close as prospects this point based on Cooleys progression and Wrights lack of evolution this year.

So based on the data and evaluations I have (knowing our scouting staff will have more) the difference for me is Cooleys will, different style of play to contrast Suzuki, and his dynamic qualities. We need game breakers.

Do we need game breakers? Or do we need horses?

Watching these playoffs and last, I'm not sold on the small, skilled, and quick trend. What do you think about how Cooley would match up against a strong cycling team, a team that plays physical when he tries to come in off the boards, or teams that clog up the neutral zone? His size isn't an issue with the USNTDP, but it may be at the NHL level. There's a lot of individual talent, but I'm not sure I'd project game breaking offensive skill at the level that we see with the truly elite players that separate themselves from the pack during the playoffs.

His style may complement Suzuki well, but haven't we already got this type of game breaking offensive talent with Caufield? Not to say you can ever have enough, but if we're projecting him into the core (Suzuki, Caufield... Roy? Anderson?), I don't love the fit. Having two centers that make the players around them better, and can play with anyone and in any situation is really hard to pass up on. I'd argue that Wright's IQ, ability to turn defence into offence, and shooting ability could be just as game breaking as Cooley's individual-level skills.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Vote is pretty clear. Take discussion to draft thread, please. Too many threads going on.