Speculation: Your post combine pick at 5th OV.

[Playmaker09]

It's not just about losing his star player, it's about saying a big FU to NHL and North America.

Y'all need to touch some grass and recognize that hockey is a niche sport.

It's not even the most popular sport in Russia - soccer is, even though they're trash - and using Michkov as a political pawn would be pointless when it won't even create a headline in the US or Europe.

 

[pickles555]

If it's not Michkov, it will likely be another first round bust,

What a waste of a season

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

5'11.75"

...don't laugh; that's what me Old Man used to say when anyone said he was 6 feet tall...was funny as Hell and I never asked him why he hated it soo much...

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

...don't laugh; that's what me Old Man used to say when anyone said he was 6 feet tall...was funny as Hell and I never asked him why he hated it soo much...

It's a good thing that was before the era of online dating or you might not be here now

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

It's a good thing that was before the era of online dating or you might not be here now

 

[Expos94]

Leonard or Michkov I figure.

I have a feeling they really like Leonard... above average skater , good shot , gritty, physically strong , tons of heart with a motor that never stops . Definitely the best forechecker in the draft. If it's not michkov I m thinking it will be Leonard at 5

 

[Toene]

I don't think drafting based on need is necessarily the way to go but Leonard is a perfect complimentary player to Suz, CC and Dach. So basically the first 2 lines.
Leonard was a big reason why Smith's season/U18 were that good and I'm not so sure if Smith's game will translate perfectly in the NHL but hey, I'm just a gérant d'estrade!

I'll be happy if they pick Smith anyways.

I also feel Smith has a fairly significant bust-factor.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Benson all the way.

 

[NORiculous]

Smith or Benson.

 

[ZUKI]

Putins on the verge of a world war and growing old by the second, Im pretty sure he doesn't give a f*** about Michkov. Also? Why is he allowing all the players to play in the NHL if he does?

Michkov is signed for 3 seasons in Russia. He will become a big star over there. the players playing in the NHL are already living in Americas Putin doesn’t have any control on them

 

[ZUKI]

Every Habs pick shall be assumed to be a bust until proven otherwise. And until then, their names shall be mangled accordingly.

A HF tradition.

approved pattern from now

 

[Mrb1p]

Michkov is signed for 3 seasons in Russia. He will become a big star over there. the players playing in the NHL are already living in Americas Putin doesn’t have any control on them

He has just as much control over them as Michkov and he has much more dire things to attend to than hockey.

I have a feeling they really like Leonard... above average skater , good shot , gritty, physically strong , tons of heart with a motor that never stops . Definitely the best forechecker in the draft. If it's not michkov I m thinking it will be Leonard at 5

Benson is the best forecheker in the draft. And the best defensive player.

 

[ZUKI]

Forsberg is my comparison for him. Loved Filip in 2012 and had him first.

I do think its towards the upper end of what Ryan could be though. Anything between say FF9 and the year where Weise peaked being his low end.

I have Leonard at 9 but I really tried hard to rank Smith ahead of him, unsure if Im right to do it but eh, Smith was the best player on the line all year.

is there a Peter Forsberg kind of player in this draft classe ? even hating the Nordiques , i was so high-tech on him and Peter Stasny

 

[ZUKI]

He has just as much control over them as Michkov and he has much more dire things to attend to than

He doesn’t have control on millionaires living in another country, no. Only way would be to kidnap family members

 

[Habs]

remember when Montreal was rebuilding in 2006, and drafted David Fischer when Claude Giroux was still available and played in their own backyard? Good times, this organization has a right to be kicked in the taint repeatedly till the end of time and doubted on draft day.

I bet they take super soft smurf Benson and pass on the real gems of this draft.

 

[ReHabs]

All in for Leonard at 5. I think we are aiming for a special winger there. I heard a comparison with Filjp Forsberg (for what its worth) that makes a lot of sense

Dubois - Suzuki - Caufield
Slaf - Dach - Leonard

big time Playoff top 6.

Not one PPG player in that top6, sadly.

 

[ReHabs]

It’s fine we can always tank and give up another whole season to be in a position to draft a single PPG player. What’s the problem?

 

[1909]

Michkov is signed for 3 seasons in Russia. He will become a big star over there. the players playing in the NHL are already living in Americas Putin doesn’t have any control on them

Many of them, even most, are going back to Russia in the off season. The control Putin or some mafia type mob have over the players is the pressure they can put on those player's families.

Not one PPG player in that top6, sadly.

Not yet. But that could change rapidly. Habs need an overall better team at all positions, and more experience. That's coming.

 

[Mackiaveli]

I'd prefer we trade down if Michkov is a non-option and Smith is gone. But with those guys I'd order them Smith, Leonard, Benson, Dvorsky, Wood, Reinbacher.

I'd take Michkov - and I would say "While there's always the chance due to external circumstances that Michkov doesn't end up playing in the NHL, those same circumstances are the only reason a player of his talent was available at 5. There are some chances you can't pass up, and this was one of them"


Assuming Michkov is GONE? Smith/Carlsson.

Assuming Michkov is there and we are passing for some insane reason? I would trade with Washington 5->8 because Leonard, Benson and Reinbacher are all close enough that I would rather get the leftovers and be happy than pick one and watch another blossom into a star

 

[1909]

I'd take Michkov - and I would say "While there's always the chance due to external circumstances that Michkov doesn't end up playing in the NHL, those same circumstances are the only reason a player of his talent was available at 5. There are some chances you can't pass up, and this was one of them"


Assuming Michkov is GONE? Smith/Carlsson.

Assuming Michkov is there and we are passing for some insane reason? I would trade with Washington 5->8 because Leonard, Benson and Reinbacher are all close enough that I would rather get the leftovers and be happy than pick one and watch another blossom into a star

I would too if Hughes really don't want to pick Michkov at #5.... But the return should be significant. I don't see many super nice prospects in the Washington's pool. (+ #8, of course).

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

It could fail both ways and theres a lot more chance that you look stupid for passing on that talent than the opposite.

How do you explain to your fanbase that you passed on the best player in the league for a top 6 winger if he comes over and lays waste to the NHL?

If you are actually honest, its actually VERY easy to explain it because it likely wont need to be answered

Fans in general are stupid and loyal. We keep coming back.

So just like Tkachuk who is a 100 point player passed 5 times, what team is explaining it?

 

[Mackiaveli]

I have a feeling they really like Leonard... above average skater , good shot , gritty, physically strong , tons of heart with a motor that never stops . Definitely the best forechecker in the draft. If it's not michkov I m thinking it will be Leonard at 5

Leonard fits the mould of what it seems they are trying to build here the best of Reinbacher/Benson/Leonard; Slafkovsky was picked because of the size/grit/intangibles of his personality. They want someone with that motor but also who loves the game and leaves it all on the ice.

I think Benson fits the biggest 'needs' for our club really of the non-top5 players ... We do not have an elite playmaker, and I would take a Stutzle over a Tkachuk any day of the week.

Reinbacher is great and all but when you can trade up to the late 1st round and grab a RD with comparable upside (ASP, Gulyayev) and you have Mailloux in your prospect pool there's just no reason to waste a top 5 pick on a 'good, maybe great, but never exceptional' defenseman.

I would too if Hughes really don't want to pick Michkov at #5.... But the return should be significant. I don't see many super nice prospects in the Washington's pool. (+ #8, of course).

Lapierre, Mantha and 8OA for 5OA and Hoffman would be a great trade for both sides I think.

 

[1909]

Leonard fits the mould of what it seems they are trying to build here the best of Reinbacher/Benson/Leonard; Slafkovsky was picked because of the size/grit/intangibles of his personality. They want someone with that motor but also who loves the game and leaves it all on the ice.

I think Benson fits the biggest 'needs' for our club really of the non-top5 players ... We do not have an elite playmaker, and I would take a Stutzle over a Tkachuk any day of the week.

Reinbacher is great and all but when you can trade up to the late 1st round and grab a RD with comparable upside (ASP, Gulyayev) and you have Mailloux in your prospect pool there's just no reason to waste a top 5 pick on a 'good, maybe great, but never exceptional' defenseman.



Lapierre, Mantha and 8OA for 5OA and Hoffman would be a great trade for both sides I think.

It would be basically Lapierre and #8 for #5
Hoffman for Mantha is basically a draw. Two struggling players with big salaries.

Lapierre ceiling seems more and more as a third line centerman-winger. Not much else. And we have Beck who can provide the same or more.

 

[NORiculous]

So if I pick Michkov I get a three years before anyone can question my selection. What is not to like about that?
I see it coming no matter who we pick other than MM there will be a certain faction who will be ultra critical no matter what they do.
Leobustnard Reinbuster Benbust Bustvorsky

I would bet that if they pass on Michkov and if the player they pick instead doesn’t become really really really good, a huge portion of fans will put it back in their faces.

If the Habs actually picks Michkov and he never comes over, I don’t think it would create much anger in the fans.

They most probably don’t care about this though.

If they don’t go Michkov, it’s probably easier for everyone to pick a D because it’s harder to compare the two. This is probably not the main factor of picking a D over say Leonard, but it might be a tie breaker since it could bring off a little of pressure on the kid and themselves.


Imagine drafting Larsson while Michkov becomes Ovechkin/Crosby level. Fans would not be happy. I know I wouldn’t.

 

[NORiculous]

Michkov is signed for 3 seasons in Russia. He will become a big star over there. the players playing in the NHL are already living in Americas Putin doesn’t have any control on them

If Putin wants to have control, he will take control. I just don’t think he will want that because it’s pointless and it’s even better for him and his agenda to have Russians doing well all over the world.