They obviously don't want him to leave. I think the whole aura of uncertainty around him is off putting. But a team will take a chance, not long past the 5th pick I think.
- stinger67

it is, but if teams do their homework and manage to get the information they need themselves then it'll be less uncertain for them to make a decision, especially compared to all of us that are outside looking in. everyone on the internet is convinced they have the right approach about the Russian kid but in reality it's all based on speculation, nobody really knows jack poop.

Not much. Grading is almost done. You?


Thank you so much! Don't see myself ever taking it off
- mr.peanut

watching some crap on youtube and what not

skills over size. Always.

skills over size. Always.
- deadpoulet

I agree smaller players can definitely be successful in the NHL but you gotta balance your roster out, if you have too many players of that size throughout your lineup you might have trouble hanging in there physically against bigger teams, even if you're very skilled.


anyway I'm not very excited about Vegas winning or whatever but Marchessault's story is pretty awesome, he's 32, never drafted, played for a bunch of AHL teams for multiple years before landing a job in the NHL and now this year he managed to give one the best performances of these playoffs.

the habs have started to accumulate some interesting talent on their roster but they don't have many "elite" high-end players yet, which any team who wants to win obviously needs. considering they now have a clear opportunity to add that kind of talent with such a deep draft, it would be pretty (frank)ing dumb for them to trade down from the top 5, imho.
- Pat1993

So why any team before us(#2, 3, and 4) which all need deep talent would be as pretty (frank)ing dumb to trade down for us???

If Habs end up #5 and the player(s) they wanted is no longer available and if they don’t want to pick the Russian, I don’t see why it would be that (frank)ing dumb to trade down if they can get for example a first rounder for next year(2024) and a #8 this year…. It is all about the return…. What is (frank)ing dumb is to pick a guy in #5 when you can get it at #8…

I am not suggesting trading down to #25…. #8 is still a top 10…

This is the mistake Bergevin did when he picked KK… He could have traded down, get an asset and pick our good friend KK around #12…

This was (frank)ing dumb…

I agree smaller players can definitely be successful in the NHL but you gotta balance your roster out, if you have too many players of that size throughout your lineup you might have trouble hanging in there physically against bigger teams, even if you're very skilled.


anyway I'm not very excited about Vegas winning or whatever but Marchessault's story is pretty awesome, he's 32, never drafted, played for a bunch of AHL teams for multiple years before landing a job in the NHL and now this year he managed to give one the best performances of these playoffs.
- Pat1993

and the only small player on that team. they do not have 2, 3, 4...

So why any team before us(#2, 3, and 4) which all need deep talent would be as pretty (frank)ing dumb to trade down for us???

If Habs end up #5 and the player(s) they wanted is no longer available and if they don’t want to pick the Russian, I don’t see why it would be that (frank)ing dumb to trade down if they can get for example a first rounder for next year(2024) and a #8 this year…. It is all about the return…. What is (frank)ing dumb is to pick a guy in #5 when you can get it at #8…

I am not suggesting trading down to #25…. #8 is still a top 10…

This is the mistake Bergevin did when he picked KK… He could have traded down, get an asset and pick our good friend KK around #12…

This was (frank)ing dumb…
- TheInformer697041

who's at the top of their list? they have to be 100% sure he'll be there at 8th.
so I guess it's Perreault or Yager?

yeah, I really doubt that.

if the swiss dman is their guy (or whoever they have on their list ranked in the top10), you pick him at 5. you don't trade down to 8 just to see him go at 7.

So why any team before us(#2, 3, and 4) which all need deep talent would be as pretty (frank)ing dumb to trade down for us???

If Habs end up #5 and the player(s) they wanted is no longer available and if they don’t want to pick the Russian, I don’t see why it would be that (frank)ing dumb to trade down if they can get for example a first rounder for next year(2024) and a #8 this year…. It is all about the return…. What is (frank)ing dumb is to pick a guy in #5 when you can get it at #8…

I am not suggesting trading down to #25…. #8 is still a top 10…

This is the mistake Bergevin did when he picked KK… He could have traded down, get an asset and pick our good friend KK around #12…

This was (frank)ing dumb…
- TheInformer697041

I get what you're saying, but I'm talking strictly from a habs perspective, Hughes and co. do have some leeway since they're in rebuild mode but perhaps for example drafting a guy like Michkov still represents too much of a risk in an intense hockey market like MTL, whereas if you're located in San Jose with barely any pressure then it could be worth the gamble.

anyway I wouldn't expect too much movement among those top picks, chances are everyone will be staying put in the top 5 or top 10.

I agree smaller players can definitely be successful in the NHL but you gotta balance your roster out, if you have too many players of that size throughout your lineup you might have trouble hanging in there physically against bigger teams, even if you're very skilled.


anyway I'm not very excited about Vegas winning or whatever but Marchessault's story is pretty awesome, he's 32, never drafted, played for a bunch of AHL teams for multiple years before landing a job in the NHL and now this year he managed to give one the best performances of these playoffs.
- Pat1993

I agree pretty much with all of this, but smaller players have their places in the NHL as well. Its insane how much that guy was overlook most of his career with lesser players who were just bigger.

I agree pretty much with all of this, but smaller players have their places in the NHL as well. Its insane how much that guy was overlook most of his career with lesser players who were just bigger.
- deadpoulet

Also, there are larger guys who play small. 6'2'marshmellows out there

I agree pretty much with all of this, but smaller players have their places in the NHL as well. Its insane how much that guy was overlook most of his career with lesser players who were just bigger.
- deadpoulet

oh that's what I'm saying, definitely. everyone's whining about his contract now but Gallagher is one of my favorite habs ever, and he's a small dude that was picked in the 5th round.

kinda happy for Caufield that he gets to have Martin St-Louis as a coach, another great example of a highly skilled tough little mofo who proved everyone wrong.

Also, there are larger guys who play small. 6'2'marshmellows out there
- mr.peanut

Armia is big.

I mean, you always have to look at the whole picture. You need speed, experience, skills, grit, goals scoring and playmakers.

People focused so much on the Vegas goaltending that they orverlook how much that defense was good and how much goals that offense could score. + Hill did not suck, not at all. Just because people dont know a player, it does not mean he is pure garbage.

Maybe the Oilers will want to take some notes here.

Armia is big.

I mean, you always have to look at the whole picture. You need speed, experience, skills, grit, goals scoring and playmakers.

People focused so much on the Vegas goaltending that they orverlook how much that defense was good and how much goals that offense could score. + Hill did not suck, not at all. Just because people dont know a player, it does not mean he is pure garbage.

Maybe the Oilers will want to take some notes here.
- deadpoulet

Oilers? You mean the PowerPlay Merchants

Oilers? You mean the PowerPlay Merchants
- mr.peanut

hihihi

I dont think they are that far off, they just have to do the right few adds and sus.

Could say the same about Toronto, even if a lot of people might disagree.

Armia is big.

I mean, you always have to look at the whole picture. You need speed, experience, skills, grit, goals scoring and playmakers.

People focused so much on the Vegas goaltending that they orverlook how much that defense was good and how much goals that offense could score. + Hill did not suck, not at all. Just because people dont know a player, it does not mean he is pure garbage.

Maybe the Oilers will want to take some notes here.
- deadpoulet

Vegas didn't win despite their goaltending though, Aden Hill was without a doubt a contributing factor for his team. the performance he gave was impressive AF, and if people talk about so much it's because he was initially considered like the 4th goalie in the golden knight's depth chart.

I get what you're saying, but I'm talking strictly from a habs perspective, Hughes and co. do have some leeway since they're in rebuild mode but perhaps for example drafting a guy like Michkov still represents too much of a risk in an intense hockey market like MTL, whereas if you're located in San Jose with barely any pressure then it could be worth the gamble.

anyway I wouldn't expect too much movement among those top picks, chances are everyone will be staying put in the top 5 or top 10.
- Pat1993

Hughes has a plan for sure and he is working on all kind of scenarios…

Trading up, trading down or even trading it(Kirby Dach style)…

Usually, they have all those options ready and when the draft starts, depending on how it unfolds, he is going to activate those options…

You can’t go there with only a draft list…. I also agree that if the player you want is ranked 7, you don’t trade down and take the risk….

I really think the pick will be a big fast winger…

Also, there are larger guys who play small. 6'2'marshmellows out there
- mr.peanut

if you're 6 feet or taller in the NHL you're automatically expected to bring some form of physicality to your game.

Vegas didn't win despite their goaltending though, Aden Hill was without a doubt a contributing factor for his team. the performance he gave was impressive AF, and if people talk about so much it's because he was initially considered like the 4th goalie in the golden knight's depth chart.
- Pat1993

There was a lot of hype around hill a few years ago. So he wasn't an unknown either

hihihi

I dont think they are that far off, they just have to do the right few adds and sus.

Could say the same about Toronto, even if a lot of people might disagree.
- deadpoulet

Those teams both get what they deserve

Also, there are larger guys who play small. 6'2'marshmellows out there
- mr.peanut

How tall are you?

There was a lot of hype around hill a few years ago. So he wasn't an unknown either
- mr.peanut

oh, well I was unaware of this hype, so for me it was a complete surprise lol.


and of course Stéphane Waite bragged that Hill was among the guys he had identified for the habs in their search for a goalie, along with Jake Allen.

How tall are you?
- TheInformer697041

7'5

Hughes has a plan for sure and he is working on all kind of scenarios…

Trading up, trading down or even trading it(Kirby Dach style)…

Usually, they have all those options ready and when the draft starts, depending on how it unfolds, he is going to activate those options…

You can’t go there with only a draft list…. I also agree that if the player you want is ranked 7, you don’t trade down and take the risk….

I really think the pick will be a big fast winger…
- TheInformer697041

2 of the things they're looking for

oh, well I was unaware of this hype, so for me it was a complete surprise lol.


and of course Stéphane Waite bragged that Hill was among the guys he had identified for the habs in their search for a goalie, along with Jake Allen.
- Pat1993

Biz on spittin chiclets also works for the yotes and was saying 3-4 years ago that hill would be a bonafide 1 at some point

2 things that every coach and general manager in the league are always looking for
- fidopro

fixed, and agreed lol.