Wright, Slafkovsky, Cooley : Time to make that final decision

[Hacketts]

*Posted already in combine thread but perhaps here is better:

Non data driven gut feelings:

Slaf:
Great energy.
Has best personality for Montreal market and a 'watch me' attitude.
Perfect complimentary piece if we had the rest already in place.
Will definitely give us moments of regret for not choosing him.

Cooley:
Most dynamic.
Going to college next year could work out amazing for all parties.
Part of me believes he is the best pick.

Wright:
Best pedigree but can't say this season inspires total confidence.
There is something about his energy that puts me off, like he gets in his own head too much.
Smart, hard worker, skill for days.
I think in the end they will still take him.

This is something I've been thinking about recently regarding Wright about what Adam Nicholas mentioned.

"Mindset unlocks skill set," said Nicholas. "When the mind is feeling relaxed and free, the body moves naturally. We're trying to take these guys, and we're trying to build habits. Consistency is what's going to drive excellence. That's where these habits are going to come into play. We've coined our mantra for development as Hab-its. We want to create our identity around it."

Is this going to work against Wright? or can this be something that can be evolved? Because Wright seems to be a very heady player, and he isn't going to have the luxury to play that type of a slow paced game in the NHL.

 

[Legend123]

too bad the 1OA pick this year doesn't look too good

 

[River Meadow]

tbh I am really falling in love with Wrights' personality.

He seems like such a good guy, well spoken, mature for his age.

Hope we take him.

 

[NewEraGM]

They are but so are other fan bases. Go take a look at the Lightening and Oilers boards now.

I’m high on Roy but that’s another story.


2018 NHL Draft Combine: Test Results

KK did poorly it seems, don’t see his name much in the leaderboards. What’s interesting though is that a lot of the top performers didn’t amount to much so far. Also, Hillis and Gorniak did well and we ended up drafting them…

Weather other fanbases are as well is irrelevant….point is, I think it would be good for Shane to not have generational expectations because If he did and didn’t score in his first game people would freak out

 

[Paul Dipietro]

I'm too lazy to search for myself.

Does anyone remembers how KK, another late riser, did at the combine, both athletically and interview wise, compared to Slaf, the current late riser? And also how the combine impacted KK positively or negatively, compared to Slaf?

KK scored a 0 on balance and didn't say a word just smiled the whole time during interviews

 

[Rob Sense]

Reading the thread you would think this is a real toss-up . The squeaky wheels will not get the grease this time. Wright all the way.

 

[Milhouse40]

This is something I've been thinking about recently regarding Wright about what Adam Nicholas mentioned.

"Mindset unlocks skill set," said Nicholas. "When the mind is feeling relaxed and free, the body moves naturally. We're trying to take these guys, and we're trying to build habits. Consistency is what's going to drive excellence. That's where these habits are going to come into play. We've coined our mantra for development as Hab-its. We want to create our identity around it."

Is this going to work against Wright? or can this be something that can be evolved? Because Wright seems to be a very heady player, and he isn't going to have the luxury to play that type of a slow paced game in the NHL.

Wright is a cerebral player and it's actually a great skill to be able to slow the game down.
Suzuki is the same type of player, he's not overly fast and ''combative'' either but always seems to be at the right place, at the right time .....it's the bread and butter of Wright.

 

[HuGort]

View attachment 555759
The combine is over.
All the informations that can be gather is on the table.
From what we know, dinner, interviews and general consensus, there's really seems to have only three in the race to be the 1st overall.

Shane Wright
View attachment 555763

Juraj Slafkvosky
View attachment 555761


Logan Cooley
View attachment 555760
There's no more hockey left to play before the the draft so it's time to make the final decision.

I imagine it be Shane Wright won't it? He missed a year and half of development time still scored 90+ points in strongest junior league. He is suppose to be good defensively already

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I’m still on the Nemec train but went with Wright out of those 3.

I'd love if we could trade up (aligning multiple trades to get to it) to 4th to get Nemec.

 

[Revansky]

It seems to be a close race...

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Wright is the next Jaques Lemaire for habs. If you are too young to remember Lemaire. Look him up. That is Wright. Pick him.

Lemaire was an intense mosquito. Not sure they are alike.

 

[Kaladin]

Cooley looks abut 13. Small. And NCAA. No thanks.

Cooley is basically 5'11. How is that small?

 

[OldCraig71]

It's probably going to take 2-3 years before any of the top 3 picks make a significant impact at the NHL level, we aren't in the running for a McDavid, Matthews or Makar in this years draft so it's basically a tossup. At least we have a coach and a team running the show that is committed to developing young players, it's going to take time guys.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Idea out of left field here, but Wright's style of play this year is almost better suited for defense and I wonder if a path similar to Markov would make better use of his talent. Markov was drafted as a center but the Habs asked him to switch to defense.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just spitballin here.

 

[Deebs]

Idea out of left field here, but Wright's style of play this year is almost better suited for defense and I wonder if a path similar to Markov would make better use of his talent. Markov was drafted as a center but the Habs asked him to switch to defense.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just spitballin here.

You should consider spittin into the wind lol

 

[MTL-rules]

Idea out of left field here, but Wright's style of play this year is almost better suited for defense and I wonder if a path similar to Markov would make better use of his talent. Markov was drafted as a center but the Habs asked him to switch to defense.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just spitballin here.

You do that with a 6th round pick, not a 1st OV. If it comes down to that, it would be a major disapointment.

 

[OldCraig71]

Idea out of left field here, but Wright's style of play this year is almost better suited for defense and I wonder if a path similar to Markov would make better use of his talent. Markov was drafted as a center but the Habs asked him to switch to defense.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just spitballin here.

Wow, I didn't know that about Markov, maybe we should have kept him at center, probably would have been a 70-80 point player.

 

[NotProkofievian]

1st overall it's Shane Wright. Prediction is that he will be a high minute, all situations, PPG center.

2nd overall, I'm taking Slafkovsky, he's had a substantial progression throughout the year and a unique tool kit that you don't get to draft very often.

3rd overall is Cooley.

4th is Nemec

5th is Jiricek.

 

[Habz4]

If we can somehow switch with Arizona this year and next. We would end up with 1 of those 3 with the 3rd pick tgis year and a great chance for a top 3 next year.

 

[bcv]

This is something I've been thinking about recently regarding Wright about what Adam Nicholas mentioned.

"Mindset unlocks skill set," said Nicholas. "When the mind is feeling relaxed and free, the body moves naturally. We're trying to take these guys, and we're trying to build habits. Consistency is what's going to drive excellence. That's where these habits are going to come into play. We've coined our mantra for development as Hab-its. We want to create our identity around it."

Is this going to work against Wright? or can this be something that can be evolved? Because Wright seems to be a very heady player, and he isn't going to have the luxury to play that type of a slow paced game in the NHL.

I feel like cerebral players adjust more easily to the style of play needed. Especially when they also have the physical ability to go with it.

It’s gonna be fun seeing all those young guys over the years. Can’t wait the I told you so’s to pour in when one of them goes on a hot streak

 

[viceroy]

But Wright took 1 year off... did he not focus on working out?

I watched some of the Combine's vids, Wright looks in great shape.

Wright for sure but I'd let go Petry + 26oa + 33oa + throw in Armia/other for the 2nd to get Slaf. That body type, we'd have our own Wilson which is extremely rare.

Slafkovsky's big and strong but he ain't no Tom Wilson. Juraj can muscle people in Liiga and the IIHF but to be able to dominate and put the fear of God in players in the NHL is something else.

Wright:
Best pedigree but can't say this season inspires total confidence.
There is something about his energy that puts me off, like he gets in his own head too much.

I get the feeling from him that he's the guy that people want him to be the leader but he's more of #2 guy à la(pardon my geek) Will Riker or an Ultra Magnus. Both expected to be the main guy but were more comfortable as support. In MTL Suzuki can be the go to guy whereas Wright can slowly blossom just like Riker did on board the Enterprise.

There's even an expression for it in French: Tel brille au second rang qui s'éclipse au premier.

How many questionable performances witnessed, endless excuses advanced before people realize that Wright is the proverbial emperor who has no clothes?

Nope. Slafkovsky is. He'll show up score a bunch of goals early in his career and then'll fade away. He wouldn't be in my Top 4.

Wonder how many of the 101 voters for Wright have seen his lackadaisical style in action... it will be a surprise for many I suspect.

He's thoughtful and well prepared. Much like Suzuki, Price and heck Beliveau in attitude and demeanor. I understand some prefer fiery frantic players like a Domi, Halak or even a Rocket.

I say Cooley because my hope is we swap picks with Arizona and get Chychrun.

Chychrun? I like him but he'll be expensive to trade for and I'm wary that he was ruined by Arizona. *see OEL

Cooley is basically 5'11. How is that small?

Kinda like Louis Leblanc and RNH were 6' but they were both small.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Cooley and Slaf are good prospects themselves, but the Wright choice is obvious. Neither Cooley or Slaf did enough to take the top spot from him, and Wright has really finished the race strong with a good combine. Cooley might end up the more dynamic player, and Slaf might end up a rare Rantanan type, but I just think Wright is a slam dunk point per game two way centerman and you just can’t pass on that.

 

[Habs Icing]

Wright is the next Jaques Lemaire for habs. If you are too young to remember Lemaire. Look him up. That is Wright. Pick him.

If you mean stylistically, no not at all. Completely different players.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Slaf definitely has Wright beat in the handsome category, I’ll give him that.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Maybe, more a better skilled Guy Carbonneau.