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

[NORiculous]

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.

Of course NJ can call the bluff… lol

No one said it was easy.

MTL could take Slaf. Let’s say they do. Do you think NJ is happy? I mean… Hughes/Wright/Hischier is strong but kinda not optimal when you look at the wings. They MUCH rather have Slaf IMO. But Habs basically need both. Who has more to lose?

Giving a 3rd round pick (ish) to get your guy isn’t that big of a deal for NJ.

They want to compete and Slaf would slot right in while the 3rd (ish) pick won’t do much.

IMO, anyway.

 

[Habs]

anyone catch Pronman's mock draft from The Athletic? Has Wright going at 4. These guys are just writing articles for the drama and clicks now, nothing more.

 

[Habsawce]

Of course NJ can call the bluff… lol

No one said it was easy.

MTL could take Slaf. Let’s say they do. Do you think NJ is happy? I mean… Hughes/Wright/Hischier is strong but kinda not optimal when you look at the wings. They MUCH rather have Slaf IMO. But Habs basically need both. Who has more to lose?

Giving a 3rd round pick (ish) to get your guy isn’t that big of a deal for NJ.

They want to compete and Slaf would slot right in while the 3rd (ish) pick won’t do much.

IMO, anyway.

Why exactly would Montreal need another 3rd round pick? They already have more picks than they will use. Personally I don't see the point if it's not at least a 2nd rounder or higher in terms of young player/prospect.

Montreal could add a 2nd with the 1st overall and get 2nd overall and Mukhamadullin. That would be something you could stomach if you were sure NJ was going to take Slaf with the top pick. Although if they took Wright, you could just take the top defender and really bolster the back end for the future.

​

 

[417]

Listening to McCagg and Marino on the latter's podcast and they're shitting on Wright saying NHL coaches wouldn't have him playing center in these past NHL playoffs

Lawd...is it Thursday yet?

 

[River Meadow]

Give me Shane Wright or give me death.

But srsly I am on the Wright wagon now for sure.

You just gotta pick him.

MSL can work with him and unlock his skill.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I'm starting to have an overdose of draft talk, burp.

Still one week to go, sigh

 

[WeThreeKings]

We are less than a week away from the first round of the NHL Draft in Montreal, and I’m told the Canadiens brain trust is still undecided on the first overall pick.

Habs GM Kent Hughes has said a few times that Montreal would take all the time it had to fully debate the pick, and that’s what it appears the team is doing. But it sets up some intrigue, perhaps, with the No. 2 pick, which is held by New Jersey.

The Devils are set up at centre, of course, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, and so the question is: Would they reach out to Montreal next Thursday in the hours leading up to the first round and try to trade up to secure winger Juraj Slafkovsky? Is there a scenario in which the Habs get Shane Wright at No. 2 and get an asset for it?

Or are the Devils happy to take whoever falls to No. 2 regardless? For what it’s worth, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has told people that if they, as an organization, feel a centre is the top guy on their list, they have no problem going ahead and picking another centre. It didn’t stop the Pittsburgh Penguins from drafting Jordan Staal in 2006 even after already having Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

Maybe. Or maybe the Devils are just praying Slafkovsky is still there at No. 2 and want everybody to think they’re OK taking a centre at No. 2.

That’s the poker game of the days that precede the first round of the draft.

I believe the Habs would listen on the top pick in that specific scenario of falling back just one spot, depending on the other asset(s) included by the Devils in a trade.

All things being equal, though, I would bet on Montreal staying right where it is at No. 1 in front of the home crowd at the Bell Centre.

New Jersey, meanwhile, is preparing for every possible scenario, including examining the merits of moving down if the asset haul is worth it.

And there’s the more traditional possibility of trading the No. 2 pick in a standard deal that nets the Devils more immediate NHL help.

The Devils are doing their due diligence, but in the end I see them staying at No. 2.

 

[Andrei79]

So MSL and Lecavalier talked with Wright recently. This gives me the feeling that the Habs aren’t sure who they are taking #1 yet.

Obviously if the issue with Wright is his drive/compete level then MSL can have a direct effect on this, or at least he can help evaluate it, same with Lecavalier.

I know Hughes wants to know what the causes were and I’d guess that these conversations will be a factor in the final choice.

There is a huge gap between generational (pre-COVID) and how scouts now see Wright. Why did a bunch of kids progress and he didn’t.

Has Wright hit a plateau or will he eventually resume his initial projections. That gap is huge so Hughes probably trying multiple things to get answers.

If anything, this management team certainly seems to do it's due diligence.

 

[dcyhabs]

We are less than a week away from the first round of the NHL Draft in Montreal, and I’m told the Canadiens brain trust is still undecided on the first overall pick.

Habs GM Kent Hughes has said a few times that Montreal would take all the time it had to fully debate the pick, and that’s what it appears the team is doing. But it sets up some intrigue, perhaps, with the No. 2 pick, which is held by New Jersey.

The Devils are set up at centre, of course, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, and so the question is: Would they reach out to Montreal next Thursday in the hours leading up to the first round and try to trade up to secure winger Juraj Slafkovsky? Is there a scenario in which the Habs get Shane Wright at No. 2 and get an asset for it?

Or are the Devils happy to take whoever falls to No. 2 regardless? For what it’s worth, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has told people that if they, as an organization, feel a centre is the top guy on their list, they have no problem going ahead and picking another centre. It didn’t stop the Pittsburgh Penguins from drafting Jordan Staal in 2006 even after already having Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

Maybe. Or maybe the Devils are just praying Slafkovsky is still there at No. 2 and want everybody to think they’re OK taking a centre at No. 2.

That’s the poker game of the days that precede the first round of the draft.

I believe the Habs would listen on the top pick in that specific scenario of falling back just one spot, depending on the other asset(s) included by the Devils in a trade.

All things being equal, though, I would bet on Montreal staying right where it is at No. 1 in front of the home crowd at the Bell Centre.

New Jersey, meanwhile, is preparing for every possible scenario, including examining the merits of moving down if the asset haul is worth it.

And there’s the more traditional possibility of trading the No. 2 pick in a standard deal that nets the Devils more immediate NHL help.

The Devils are doing their due diligence, but in the end I see them staying at No. 2.

They would only announce the pick if they expect people will hate it and they want to allow them to prepare.
Not revealing the pick allows:
-more drama
-more trade possibilities
-last minute changes

 

[sandviper]

Listening to McCagg and Marino on the latter's podcast and they're shitting on Wright saying NHL coaches wouldn't have him playing center in these past NHL playoffs

Lawd...is it Thursday yet?

McCagg… this is the same guy who had Strome over McDavid and as a two-way player, KK will be better than Matthews.

 

[Belial]

We are less than a week away from the first round of the NHL Draft in Montreal, and I’m told the Canadiens brain trust is still undecided on the first overall pick.

Habs GM Kent Hughes has said a few times that Montreal would take all the time it had to fully debate the pick, and that’s what it appears the team is doing. But it sets up some intrigue, perhaps, with the No. 2 pick, which is held by New Jersey.

The Devils are set up at centre, of course, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, and so the question is: Would they reach out to Montreal next Thursday in the hours leading up to the first round and try to trade up to secure winger Juraj Slafkovsky? Is there a scenario in which the Habs get Shane Wright at No. 2 and get an asset for it?

Or are the Devils happy to take whoever falls to No. 2 regardless? For what it’s worth, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has told people that if they, as an organization, feel a centre is the top guy on their list, they have no problem going ahead and picking another centre. It didn’t stop the Pittsburgh Penguins from drafting Jordan Staal in 2006 even after already having Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

Maybe. Or maybe the Devils are just praying Slafkovsky is still there at No. 2 and want everybody to think they’re OK taking a centre at No. 2.

That’s the poker game of the days that precede the first round of the draft.

I believe the Habs would listen on the top pick in that specific scenario of falling back just one spot, depending on the other asset(s) included by the Devils in a trade.

All things being equal, though, I would bet on Montreal staying right where it is at No. 1 in front of the home crowd at the Bell Centre.

New Jersey, meanwhile, is preparing for every possible scenario, including examining the merits of moving down if the asset haul is worth it.

And there’s the more traditional possibility of trading the No. 2 pick in a standard deal that nets the Devils more immediate NHL help.

The Devils are doing their due diligence, but in the end I see them staying at No. 2.

This thing makes no sense whatsoever.

If the Habs want to draft Slafkovsky they will draft him at #1 overall and that's it but if they're ready to trade the pick to NJ knowing they want Slafkovsky then they don't really want Slafkovsky.

NJ management can't be this dumb...

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Trading down to 2nd to pick Wright can go many ways.

Jersey could be conning Habs and not pick Slaf, maybe they have a major hard-on for Wright.

Wright thinks he deserves to be first, if we move down to pick him, it might light a fire under his ass or it might piss him off to the point he'll leave here ASAP and ask to be traded à la Lindros.

Why risk any bad scenario for a 3rd pick or 2nd pick at best?

 

[HomaridII]

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Is there a scenario in which the Habs get Shane Wright at No. 2 and get an asset for it?

I don’t believe so. It doesn’t make any sense for New Jersey.

 

[Belial]

Trading down to 2nd to pick Wright can go many ways.

Jersey could be conning Habs and not pick Slaf, maybe they have a major hard-on for Wright.

Wright thinks he deserves to be first, if we move down to pick him, it might light a fire under his ass or it might piss him off to the point he'll leave here ASAP and ask to be traded à la Lindros.

Why risk any bad scenario for a 3rd pick or 2nd pick at best?

It doesn't make any sense for NJ.

It's again some more bla bla to get some clicks.

One more week of this! Geez...

 

[WeThreeKings]

This thing makes no sense whatsoever.

If the Habs want to draft Slafkovsky they will draft him at #1 overall and that's it but if they're ready to trade the pick to NJ knowing they want Slafkovsky then they don't really want Slafkovsky.

NJ management can't be this dumb...

It makes perfect sense.

Habs are undecided or have a slight preference for a center. They know NJ would prefer Slafkovsky since their center line is already well settled.

So you drum it up like its very possible (and it still could be) that you are selecting Slafkovsky. So if you put that noise out there, you see if NJ feels like they would pay something to swap with Montreal to ensure they get the guy that makes the most sense for their team. Keep in mind New Jersey wants to compete as soon as possible, so if they feel that adding Slaf to Hughes wing on line 1 improves their team more than putting Wright at 3C and moving Mercer to the wing - maybe it makes sense to part with a 2nd round pick or ensure that happens.

However if NJ feels like this whole thing is a bluff and Montreal is taking a center no matter what, then they simply won't cave into the pressure and let the chips fall where they may.

As LeBrun mentions, its unlikely to work and he expects Montreal picking at 1 and NJD picking at 2.

It does feel more to me that Montreal wants one of the centers. It's likely Wright but who knows as they clearly did have interest in Cooley by inviting him out to dinner. But it makes sense that we've heard more and more Slaf noise recently (Pronman remarked that, as did Wheeler) from the Montreal camp, if you're trying to get NJD to bite.

Trading down to 2nd to pick Wright can go many ways.

Jersey could be conning Habs and not pick Slaf, maybe they have a major hard-on for Wright.

Wright thinks he deserves to be first, if we move down to pick him, it might light a fire under his ass or it might piss him off to the point he'll leave here ASAP and ask to be traded à la Lindros.

Why risk any bad scenario for a 3rd pick or 2nd pick at best?

Maybe they want to move down to 2 and get Cooley? It's not entirely impossible.

There you have it.

Grant in the span of a week:
Habs are afraid of taking Wright, they are going to take Cooley.
Habs like Slafkovsky and are going to take him.
Habs are considering taking Wright.

He now has put out every possible scenario for the first pick and will pump himself as an insider to try to sell more draft guides in the future.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Maybe they want to move down to 2 and get Cooley? It's not entirely impossible.

In that case they'd be aiming to trade with Arizona to get more out of it?

Ari-Wright
NJ-Slaf
Habs-Cooley

 

[Gains]

I find it so annoying when people keep bringing team needs when talking about top 5 picks. How often are all the picks so close in talent that the only difference in value is position?

At the end of the day, some players will be way better than others, so just pick the player you think will be the best, no matter what his position is.

 

[morhilane]

Geez, the lost of Timmins is really making him go haywire at this point. He used to always know who the Habs were going to pick because his buddy would tell him in advance.

He doesn't this year, so the Habs are going to pick everyone!

 

[ArtPeur]

Of course NJ can call the bluff… lol

No one said it was easy.

MTL could take Slaf. Let’s say they do. Do you think NJ is happy? I mean… Hughes/Wright/Hischier is strong but kinda not optimal when you look at the wings. They MUCH rather have Slaf IMO. But Habs basically need both. Who has more to lose?

Giving a 3rd round pick (ish) to get your guy isn’t that big of a deal for NJ.

They want to compete and Slaf would slot right in while the 3rd (ish) pick won’t do much.

IMO, anyway.

Remember Crosby, Malkin and Staal?

Well, Pitts got Brian Dumoulin, Brandon Sutter and the 8th overall pick for him a few years later. You can never have too many centers.

They still kinda su**** on the wings though

I've said it on a DansLesCoulisses facebook post some weeks earlier.. but people give him way too much attention.

 

[Belial]

It makes perfect sense.

Habs are undecided or have a slight preference for a center. They know NJ would prefer Slafkovsky since their center line is already well settled.

So you drum it up like its very possible (and it still could be) that you are selecting Slafkovsky. So if you put that noise out there, you see if NJ feels like they would pay something to swap with Montreal to ensure they get the guy that makes the most sense for their team. Keep in mind New Jersey wants to compete as soon as possible, so if they feel that adding Slaf to Hughes wing on line 1 improves their team more than putting Wright at 3C and moving Mercer to the wing - maybe it makes sense to part with a 2nd round pick or ensure that happens.

However if NJ feels like this whole thing is a bluff and Montreal is taking a center no matter what, then they simply won't cave into the pressure and let the chips fall where they may.

As LeBrun mentions, its unlikely to work and he expects Montreal picking at 1 and NJD picking at 2.

It does feel more to me that Montreal wants one of the centers. It's likely Wright but who knows as they clearly did have interest in Cooley by inviting him out to dinner. But it makes sense that we've heard more and more Slaf noise recently (Pronman remarked that, as did Wheeler) from the Montreal camp, if you're trying to get NJD to bite.

Again, it makes no sense to trade down if you want to draft Slafkovsky knowing that NJ wants Slafkovsky.

I mean why would you trade down if you want Slafkovsky? Just draft Slafkovsky and get it done.

 

[durojean]

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.


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

I really have never seen Slafkovsky hands to be that great. Comparing them to Svechnikov's hands is an aberration I think.

Slaf is really strong on the puck and have good speed. When the puck is on his stick, he looks very good and I feel like a lot of his draft ranking come from that. I've never seen Slaf's dangles to be in the same stratosphere as Svechnikov who can dangle a guy in a phone booth.

 

[durojean]

Of course NJ can call the bluff… lol

No one said it was easy.

MTL could take Slaf. Let’s say they do. Do you think NJ is happy? I mean… Hughes/Wright/Hischier is strong but kinda not optimal when you look at the wings. They MUCH rather have Slaf IMO. But Habs basically need both. Who has more to lose?

Giving a 3rd round pick (ish) to get your guy isn’t that big of a deal for NJ.

They want to compete and Slaf would slot right in while the 3rd (ish) pick won’t do much.

IMO, anyway.

If New Jersey get Wright, there team is made for a decade. They've got 3 elite center that can play against any team in the NHL.

Worst case scenario, they put one center to the wing. But a centerline of

Hughes
Hischier
Wright

With a lot of hockey IQ and Wright for the defensive match up in 5 years.

I feel like thinking New Jersey only need a winger is really shortsighted. That being said, They are more at a point in their team building where size is more important because they are closer to the playoffs. In their case, I could justify a Slafkovsky who could enter their line-up really soon.

Habs are really not their and for the moment, they already have their playoffs size and warrior a la Nick Paul, Maroon, Perry in Anderson and Armia.

 

[26Mats]

@montreal

What's your take on Shane Wright?
Have you watched much film?

 

[26Mats]

I find it so annoying when people keep bringing team needs when talking about top 5 picks. How often are all the picks so close in talent that the only difference in value is position?

At the end of the day, some players will be way better than others, so just pick the player you think will be the best, no matter what his position is.

This, this, this.