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

[BigDaddyLurch]

I still think the devils would trade for Price if you turn him into a cyborg.

...we'd keep him for the next 250 years if we could do that...

 

[Xirik]

...we'd keep him for the next 250 years if we could do that...

We'd be willing to trade Taylor Hall's draft luck that we stole from him.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

BPA is a myth. They take a prospect and add a premium for position, add or subtract a premium for size, add or subtract a premium for recency bias and hype and you’re left with a ranking based on all of that. It’s like saying the best car is the one that has the highest sales tax. Strip that way and Nemec is 1OA

They also factor in situation like Makar should have been BPA but he was playing at a lower level.

Size is probably the most important factor in the draft. Over sized players have a tendency to go higher than the most talented.

Are you sure about that, here's some quotes from 2013:

The Chelyabinsk, Russia, native possesses the size, strength, speed and skill to become an elite power forward in the National Hockey League, and many are saying he’s the best Russian talent available in the draft since Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin were the first two respective selections in 2004.

“Everyone recognizes what a tremendous talent he is,” said Tony MacDonald, the lead amateur scout for the Hurricanes. “He’s a very skilled guy – he’s got size, he’s got speed and he’s got skill. He has that ability to dominate.”

Nichushkin’s draft stock has risen now that scouts and front office personnel are armed with fresh knowledge of his contract situation, so much so that he could perforate the first four selections on Sunday based on his natural talent and high-end ceiling alone.

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com

The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.

www.nhl.com

Nichushkin never (and still does not have) the hands of Slafkovsky. He was a physical freak probably more so even than Juraj.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

They also factor in situation like Makar should have been BPA but he was playing at a lower level.

Size is probably the most important factor in the draft. Over sized players have a tendency to go higher than the most talented.

...calling Huge Specimen...calling Huge Specimen...please report to a drafting table that you have absolutely no business in being at...

 

[sampollock]

If Slaf truly is a Svechnikov clone - I'll freely admit I've never seen him play - then I may need to change my Cooley pick to Slaf.

Huge fan of Svechnikov.

Is he a fast skater or is he slow

 

[NORiculous]

With Hughes saying they will take it to the last day to make their choice, I think it’s BS.

I think he knows who he wants now.

A few days ago, he wasn’t sure.

Now, he wants NJ to trade up and pick Slaf so that he can take Wright at 2. So, he sales the uncertainty and he opens the door… basic sales.

His comments seem too prepared with the timing and all.

IMO.

 

[Darkstorm]

Habs should look at drafting a right handed defenceman…we only have Logan Mailloux on the right side in our prospect pool

 

[tmlmatus]

Nemec will be 1OA in the redraft in 4 years so might as well just take him now and not regret it then

I don't know if he will be the best player 4 years from now, but he is definitely the safest one. I don't see how he doesn't become, at the very least a very good second line D.

 

[blarneylad]

overrated kids coming out of Liiga

Kotkaniemi, Kakko, Puljujarvi…Slafkovski?

 

[BLONG7]

Habs should look at drafting a right handed defenceman…we only have Logan Mailloux on the right side in our prospect pool

Justin Barron also....although 95% sure he is on the team, and not a prospect.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

With Hughes saying they will take it to the last day to make their choice, I think it’s BS.

I think he knows who he wants now.

A few days ago, he wasn’t sure.

Now, he wants NJ to trade up and pick Slaf so that he can take Wright at 2. So, he sales the uncertainty and he opens the door… basic sales.

His comments seem too prepared with the timing and all.

IMO.

If he is doing that he is the smartest GM we have in a long time. Managing to get good assets and still get your guy is the best skill to have as a GM.

...calling Huge Specimen...calling Huge Specimen...please report to a drafting table that you have absolutely no business in being at...

Hugh Jessiman was a bad player though.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Hugh Jessiman was a bad player though.

...just a warning that drafting HUGE kids just cuz they're HUGE is a recipe for failure...just ask Bargain Bin & Timmins...

 

[Kennerback]

overrated kids coming out of Liiga

Kotkaniemi, Kakko, Puljujarvi…Slafkovski?

I think Slafkovski is a better player than the 3 Fins. He’s fast, strong, skilled and has superior hockey sense for a winger. To me Wright is more skilled and has elite hockey sense. If I would be sure he can raise his intensity, Wright’s a no brainer. Slaf plays with NHL intensity, he’s a machine. I slightly prefer Wright.

 

[Richiebottles]

What would NJ need to add to move up?

 

[BLONG7]

...just a warning that drafting HUGE kids just cuz they're HUGE is a recipe for failure...just ask Bargain Bin & Timmins...

Last time we took q big kid, because he was a big kid, it was MaCarron.............yup, we needed size folks....

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Last time we took q big kid, because he was a big kid, it was MaCarron.............yup, we needed size folks....

...and I admit to actually wanting McCarron...

 

[BLONG7]

We have 7 days left guys...............let the games begin!! lol

 

[Kennerback]

Unlike Mike Johnson on TSN, I think Slaf’s floor is higher than Wright. He’s NHL ready for a top-6 role. But a big Center is so valuable, that there needs to be a big discrepancy between the two to go with Slaf. And if you want a center absolutely, you go for Wright, not for Cooley who’s an unusual package.

 

[NORiculous]

What would NJ need to add to move up?

Not sure but it would not be that much.

In 2003 the Panthers trade the no. 1 pick and a third-rounder to the Penguins for the no. 3 pick, a second-rounder, and Mikael Samuelsson.

I looked at a couple more but without going too far back.

History seems to show that a flip with NJ would cost NJ around a 3rd round pick. But who knows because small flips at the top have not happened very much and it also depends on how much NJ wants Slaf.

My guess is they want him a lot. The way they are trying to indirectly put pressure on the Habs by saying they are fine with a center… it feels like smoke and mirrors too me.

Will see but that my read on it anyway.

ÉDIT: it could be something like

1st + 66 vs. 2nd + 37.

Or they could try for a 2023 pick. Depends what they want.

I think that could be a nice pickup for the Habs if they still get Wright at 2.

 

[le_sean]

Not sure but it would not be that much.

In 2003 the Panthers trade the no. 1 pick and a third-rounder to the Penguins for the no. 3 pick, a second-rounder, and Mikael Samuelsson.

I looked at a couple more but without going too far back.

History seems to show that a flip with NJ would cost NJ around a 3rd round pick. But who knows because small flips at the top have not happened very much and it also depends on how much NJ wants Slaf.

My guess is they want him a lot. The way they are trying to indirectly put pressure on the Habs by saying they are fine with a center… it feels like smoke and mirrors too me.

Will see but that my read on it anyway.

ÉDIT: it could be something like

1st + 66 vs. 2nd + 37.

Or they could try for a 2023 pick. Depends what they want.

I think that could be a nice pickup for the Habs if they still get Wright at 2.

But if you’re at 2 you’re not worried about any team other than the Habs so you can call their bluff. There’s no threat of Montreal trading with Seattle or lower.

 

[hvac412]

Stay tuned for 7 days of click bait drama

 

[salbutera]

overrated kids coming out of Liiga

Kotkaniemi, Kakko, Puljujarvi…Slafkovski?

Barkov? Rantanen? Heiskanen?

 

[blarneylad]

Barkov? Rantanen? Heiskanen?

Have to go farther back for Barlow and Rantanen. Heiskanen for sure is in the same timeline as the ones I listed.

Rantanen was drafted 10th. Barkov was playing in Liiga at 15 years old. At 16 years old he had 48 points in 53 games.

Slaf on the other hand came out of nowhere. I hate late risers. Kotkaniemi cough.

Slaf at 17 years old had 10 points in 31 games. Barkov had a better season as a 15 year old.

Different players. Wright would actually compare more favourably to Barkov than does Slaf.

 

[Richiebottles]

I think this focus on Slaf Is for trade purposes only.

Taking such a big risk, this early on doesn’t seem like something HUGO would do. I can’t see them not taking Wright.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

I don't know if he will be the best player 4 years from now, but he is definitely the safest one. I don't see how he doesn't become, at the very least a very good second line D.

Nemec would be the perfect partner for Ghule and they’ll play 25 mins/game

That’s more important than a 2C - especially when there’s a 1C in next years Draft