Your top 7 for the 2024 draft

[Kosseca]

Hughes did just say if they find themselves in the BPA is a D and it's clear and obvious, that they'd look at other options.

They're gonna make sure they are getting a forward they want.

yeah, I remember that, but saying it in a press conference and doing it... that's two different things. Need a trade partner willing to play ball. I'm looking forward for the lottery... more fun to come then

 

[zzoo]

That being said, Catton is not a power forward at all. He will never provide grit and weight to the game. But I don't think his size is an issue. But in terms of talent and ceiling, he has much more potential as compared to Iggy who I am afraid is more likely to end up as a 3rd line energy player.

I think that Demidov, Catton and Lindstrom might be grouped in the same tier, it's just a matter of taste. Iginla is a notch below those three, a tier lower.

 

[MarioLeMoose]

Why not 10?

Macklin
Demidov
Levshunov
Buium
Parekh
Catton
Dickinson
Iginla
Helenius
Eiserman

Bonus Q, The Flames call they have 2 offers to secure Iginla; 6ov and Anderson for 9ov or 6ov for 9ov and Honzek, are you interested?

I want Anderson gone, but not enough I am willing to move down 3 spots that high in the draft just to shed his salary. Easy pass for me.
As for Honzek, I am not familiar enough with him to have a hard stance on that offer

 

[dralaf]

1- Mack Celebrini
2- Ivan Demidov
3- Cayden Lindstrom
4- Berkly Catton
5- Tij Iginla
6- Artyom Levshunov
7- Cole Eiserman

 

[Habssince89]

This provides a good prediction of what, subject to trades, will occur at the draft.

Each player, other than Celebrini, comes with their respective warts and concerns:

Demidov: the Russian factor and the level of competition he faced this year will be a concern to many teams; Perhaps more than ever, too. If the Habs know about Demidov's plans they could pick him after he's fallen

Dickinson: high floor, but a lack of elite skating may restrict him to only a top 4 defenceman in the NHL. Do you want to expend a top 5 pick on the next Chariot? Glad we are for sure not picking this guy, but he could get picked in the top 4.

Buuim: best skating defenceman in the draft, but is vulnerable in the defensive zone at times; Again can't see a D getting picked by us

Lindstrom: His combination of size , skill and skating is probably unmatched in this draft. But what good is that potential if his availability is questionable due to his history of injuries. The fact that we have a new med staff makes me less worried if he becomes a hab

Catton: How well does this highly talented, but smallish player's talents and game translate to the NHL game? Are you drafting the next Brayden Point or the next Sean Farrell? Agreed we need to get guys who can play with both skill and physicality

Iginla: One of the youngest players available in the draft, teams have to question is this highly competitive player a one year wonder in the WHL? Bloodlines can be bullshit, but Iggy jr is a very tempting pick if we drop to 7

I think it will come down to the Canadiens having to choose one of Lindstrom, Catton or Iginla. I know who I would choose.

I think overall I'd go Lindstrom if the doctors are confident he'll get healthy.

 

[The Last Red]

Hughes did just say if they find themselves in the BPA is a D and it's clear and obvious, that they'd look at other options.

They're gonna make sure they are getting a forward they want.

Yes, this is beyond obvious, not sure why some can't see it. Hughes has literally told us this. I don't think he's lying.

But my top 7 goes like this:

1. Celebrini
2. Demidov
3. Lindstrom
4. Leshunov
5. Buium
6. Eiserman
7. Silayev

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Does anyone know anything about Lindstrom's back injury? So much for me hinges on that, if Celebrini and Demidov are gone when we pick. Have there been other young players with wonky backs at the draft who have later thrived in the league?

 

[WeThreeKings]

yeah, I remember that, but saying it in a press conference and doing it... that's two different things. Need a trade partner willing to play ball. I'm looking forward for the lottery... more fun to come then

I'm sure if there's a clear BPA D man on the board, it won't be hard to find a trade partner. Certainly a lot easier than trading a valuable young defenseman for a young valuable forward.

 

[A Loyal Demidog]

Does anyone know anything about Lindstrom's back injury? So much for me hinges on that, if Celebrini and Demidov are gone when we pick. Have there been other young players with wonky backs at the draft who have later thrived in the league?

Yeah, I agree with you - back injuries are not to be taken lightly. That's a no from me, unless he somehow falls to our Winnipeg pick (which he definitely won't).

As talented as a player may be, we need them to be healthy. Look at Dach this year: the rumours of him being always injury-prone were completely spot on. He played a total of 2 games. We don't need another Dach.

 

[Runner77]

None of us has had access to Lindstrom’s medical records but the Habs will and so will their battery of in-house medical experts.

Hence, if Lindstrom convinces Hughes and his staff that he’s not a health liability, then that’s good enough for me. But, that’s just me.

 

[Doublechin]

I'm going assuming I'm concerned with Lindstroms injury issues and health issues here otherwise he would be in my top 4

1. Celebrini
2. Buium
3. Demidov
4. Levshunov

5. Iginla
6. Helenius
7. Catton

5 to 7 is as close as it gets and might just be a toss up

 

[Benstheman]

Ok. Let me begin by saying we will draft 2OA and we will draft Demidov.

But here is my personal top 7 for Habs :

1-Celebrini
2-Demidov
3-Levshunov
4-Lindstrom
5-Catton
6-Iginla
7-Helenius

 

[LaP]

I want Anderson gone, but not enough I am willing to move down 3 spots that high in the draft just to shed his salary. Easy pass for me.
As for Honzek, I am not familiar enough with him to have a hard stance on that offer

Anderson and Gallagher will eventually be bought out when we will need the money. I don't see KH trading assets to trade them out. So you'll have to endure them for a while. To be fair Gallagher had a relatively good season specially the last 10 games or so where he looked like his old self.

 

[Draft]

Does anyone know anything about Lindstrom's back injury? So much for me hinges on that, if Celebrini and Demidov are gone when we pick. Have there been other young players with wonky backs at the draft who have later thrived in the league?

No. Radio silence for the most part and that's tough. The range of severity in back injuries means that trying to speculate on whether or not it will be a long term issue is pretty meaningless.

Not attending the U18s could mean that the issue is persisting and affecting his play. It could also mean that there's a risk of re-injury within this time frame. It could also be that a couple of months of rehab and strengthening mean this is a non-issue for the rest of his career.

Hopefully know more at the combine.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I don’t buy the BPA shit, we’re picking top 5 and we absolutely have to get a forward. There is no debate here imo.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

No. Radio silence for the most part and that's tough. The range of severity in back injuries means that trying to speculate on whether or not it will be a long term issue is pretty meaningless.

Not attending the U18s could mean that the issue is persisting and affecting his play. It could also mean that there's a risk of re-injury within this time frame. It could also be that a couple of months of rehab and strengthening mean this is a non-issue for the rest of his career.

Hopefully know more at the combine.

Some back injuries can linger, but I feel like most with the right balance of rest/rehab can for the most part have you feeling like new. I’ve gone through some issues myself and luckily rest, rehab, stretching and massages have worked. Strength training can also play a large role in the rehab. All depends on the nature of his injuries, but I don’t think skipping the U18s raises any huge red flags for me. I mean, it would have been that he was ready to go, but I don’t think this means bavk injuries will permanently derail his career.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

1. Celebrini
2. Demidov
3. Catton
4. Lindstrom
5. Iginla
6. Helenius
7. Eiserman

If you're going to take a defenseman, don't. Trade back. Dickinson is 3rd on my board but I would trade back before drafting him.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

Celebrini
Lindstrom (Based on Physicals)
Demidov
Levshunov
Eiserman
Iginla
Silyaev
Catton

 

[CHarlie]

I really want Iginla.....Canadian kid with excellent pedigree to boot....youngest of this draft.....I would love it if we pick him.....please and thankyou!

 

[Scriptor]

This provides a good prediction of what, subject to trades, will occur at the draft.

Each player, other than Celebrini, comes with their respective warts and concerns:

Demidov: the Russian factor and the level of competition he faced this year will be a concern to many teams;

Dickinson: high floor, but a lack of elite skating may restrict him to only a top 4 defenceman in the NHL. Do you want to expend a top 5 pick on the next Chariot?

Buuim: best skating defenceman in the draft, but is vulnerable in the defensive zone at times;

Lindstrom: His combination of size , skill and skating is probably unmatched in this draft. But what good is that potential if his availability is questionable due to his history of injuries.

Catton: How well does this highly talented, but smallish player's talents and game translate to the NHL game? Are you drafting the next Brayden Point or the next Sean Farrell?

Iginla: One of the youngest players available in the draft, teams have to question is this highly competitive player a one year wonder in the WHL?

I think it will come down to the Canadiens having to choose one of Lindstrom, Catton or Iginla. I know who I would choose.

Who would you choose?

I would choose Lindstrom (if he passes the physical), because he is the type of player Montreal needs, but I really like Iginla as well...

 

[CHarlie]

https://dailyhive.com/calgary/canadiens-tij-iginla-report?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar

Habs have met with Iginla 4 times this season......link above

 

[Scriptor]

Diddo …..carbon copy of my list FOR THE HABS

Not sold on Demidov from watching videos.

 

[vokiel]

01. Celebrini
02. Demidov
03. Catton
04. Dickinson
05. Buium
06. Iginla
07. Lindstrom

In order of BPA, I would not pick a Russian with a top 10 pick. The other draft in Russia makes it risky.

 

[Michoulicious]

I don’t buy the BPA shit, we’re picking top 5 and we absolutely have to get a forward. There is no debate here imo.

Like we absolutely needed to pick a C at 3 and that got us KK.

BPA ALWAYS IN THE TOP 10.

 

[dcyhabs]

https://dailyhive.com/calgary/canadiens-tij-iginla-report?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar

Habs have met with Iginla 4 times this season......link above

That probably means they are not sure where to put him, not necessarily that they really want him. They met with Wright more than Slafkovsky. Might be Hughes angling for a bigger offer from Calgary.