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Post by blny on Jan 24, 2014 23:00:31 GMT -5
www.tsn.ca/videohub/Default.aspx?collection=183&show=280897§ion=SportsAs things continue to turn sour in Montreal, here's a look to the draft. It's a compilation of where scouts from around the league expect players to get picked. Three horse race between Ekblad, Reinhart and Bennett. Ekblad is a beast. He looks ten years older than he is. Playing that way too. It's not a deep draft this year, and not as 'sexy' as next year with McDavid in the offing. Ehlers' stock should continue to climb. He showed he could produce while Drouin was out of the lineup in Halifax. I don't see him as a goal scorer at the NHL level. He'll be a fast, hard working, play maker. Hard to say where we'll land. Looking like a best player available scenario. Might also be a year to trade down, if you think you can get a couple of guys in the second that are just as good as the second half of the first.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 25, 2014 0:35:25 GMT -5
The feeling I get is that this draft is neither as deep nor as broad as last year's. Ekblad and Reinhart would probably not have gone in the top 3 or 4 of last year's draft and it's certainly not nearly as deep. DLR and Fucale, for example may have gone as early as the middle of this year's first round. I don't know that, but its my speculation based on the noise coming out of this year's draft. Some decent guys in the top 5 but it drops off. The 2015 draft, I think is a fair bit stronger. Naturally, we're have a bad year in a weakish draft year. Maybe we can buy some 2015 choices with our fire sales at the deadline. Bring up Tinordi and Pateryn and start integrating the youngsters.
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Post by blny on Jan 25, 2014 0:56:06 GMT -5
Agreed. Last year would have been far more beneficial long term to bust. Two top 3 picks in a row would have set us up fantastically.
There are a couple of good power forward types - Dal Colle being one. If it's not a top 3 pick this year, by way of our fate, I'd consider trading down. Turn one mid first into a first and a second, turn a late first into two seconds, etc. Draft for quantity as much as quality and hope that in throwing enough darts at the board one or two stick.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the forwards in this years draft are sub 6'. That doesn't really fit what Berg wants to do and what this club needs. Given the lack of defensive depth as well, and it's prime for trading down.
It may also be why Berg may try to right the ship. That's going to be a lot more difficult though.
I'm sure other teams are well aware of the lack of depth this year, and the likelihood they part with next years picks for this years trade deadline drops. Time will tell though. Given the direction we're headed in, if Berg opts to stick with Mthead, my players to part with list (that could legitimately garner interest) are:
D - Murray, Markov, Diaz, Bouillon
F - Gionta,
Then they have to decide about centers going forward. Is Eller a part of the future at center. How long do they keep Galchenyuk from assuming a prime center role he deserves? DD is hard to move. I keep coming back to Plekanec. Complete player. Smart. Favorable contract. Capable of netting a solid return - like a very good winger for the left side or an upgrade to the blue line. Proactively speaking, traded at the deadline, he could net a big return and it would be proactive on the part of the GM.
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Post by franko on Jan 25, 2014 1:39:38 GMT -5
I keep coming back to Plekanec. Complete player. Smart. Favorable contract. Capable of netting a solid return - like a very good winger for the left side or an upgrade to the blue line. Proactively speaking, traded at the deadline, he could net a big return and it would be proactive on the part of the GM. and the howls will be loud and long. but the question is, are we building around him? will he be around when [note, I said when -- I still believe for some reason] we are strong enough to make it through 4 rounds of the playoffs. if not let him go . . . but make sure the return is decent. what many will want, though, is filet mignon for regular ground beef: Giroux for FB, or Kane for Briere. and that just ain't gonna happen. |
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Post by seventeen on Jan 25, 2014 1:56:08 GMT -5
I keep thinking of the Toronto Raptors. Seriously. A franchise that sucked, but which has some some good youngsters, but they weren't being developed all that well and there were definite chemistry problems. They hired a new GM, and he signed a journeyman free agent, Tyler Hansbrough, who brought a ton of toughness to the team, and then traded a guy with a horrible contract and loads of talent, but poor character, Rudy Gay, to the Sacramento Kings, for 4 guys, all of whom know how to play defense, and all of whom know how to move the ball and play as a team. He traded for character, in other words. The team is 16 and 8 since the trade and is one of the most difficult teams to score against in the NBA. Yeah, they won't win the championship, but they will make the playoffs, and they will compete in the playoffs and maybe scare a few teams, because they're very tough on defense. Same coach, new GM. No 5 year plan. Of course, the team already had a decent coach, so that wasn't an issue. This has happened in 6 or 7 months. In a cap environment. You can make quick changes, but Berg doesn't seem to be able to do so. Maybe hockey people are different and none of the other GM's is in a trading mood. Or maybe the other guys want too much, or maybe Berg wants too much. We know what our team is like and without some changes, it is no fun watching their games. I stopped in the 3rd after Detroit got their 3rd goal to go make supper. I preferred making supper to watching the Habs. What does that tell Geoff Molson? Guys would rather cook than watch your team lose another game. Do something, Mr Molson. You're making lots of money, and it won't cost any more to have a good team than a pathetic team. In fact it will cost you a lot less, because in the long run, your fans will lose interest and it will be hard to get them back. Then who cares if they have a Habs jersey, or cap, or tickets to their next game. They will be irrelevant.
All it takes is good ownership and good management.
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Post by blny on Jan 25, 2014 2:18:42 GMT -5
I think the Raptors sort echo what's been the last 20 years in Montreal. Never bad enough to get a run of top picks. Never good enough to win it all. The Raptors window was with Carter and Grady. The latter bolted for big cash and wanting to be out from under Carter's shadow. The former withered up and became an average player, betraying the immense talent he had. Neither got enough in return from trade. What ensued was a string of bad managers and coaches. I think that was epitomized by the drafting of Araujo (and the response from the broadcaster at the time - who went ballistic). Up to the point that Carter bailed, it was a steady climb for the most part. Not without its hiccups, but they were able to get passed them (Damon Stoudamire for one). Since however, is a different story. A steady string of selfish prima donas. Players who claimed there was 'nothing to do in Toronto', but they're willing to go to podunk USA. I forget who said that, but I was laughing out of shock. After LA and NYC, is there a bigger market in the NBA? Not really. To top it off, the Raps sell out game after game. You can't say the fans that go aren't loyal. It's as if they're Ballard-gen Leafs fans.
They're playing gritty ball right now, and it's team first. The new GM seems to be a smart guy and willing to do what it takes, but that was said of Colangelo too. Me, I'd be doing whatever it takes to get Wiggins. Elite talent, home town boy, and would be the face of the franchise for years.
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Post by GNick99 on Jan 28, 2014 10:48:04 GMT -5
It's not that good of a draft no. McKenzie was on 690 this week and said most scouts have Eklad 1st overall and as future #2 defenseman. As opposed to last year's draft where Jones went 4th overall, and is projected as future franchise defenseman. Or next year when McDavid is projected a future superstar.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 28, 2014 14:51:40 GMT -5
It's not that good of a draft no. McKenzie was on 690 this week and said most scouts have Eklad 1st overall and as future #2 defenseman. As opposed to last year's draft where Jones went 4th overall, and is projected as future franchise defenseman. Or next year when McDavid is projected a future superstar. It definitely lacks the top end star power, but you still will be able to get some decent NHLers in the first two rounds that will help you down the road. A lot more of the players have a wart or two, that is where good scouting, and a bit of luck, will determine what teams get out of this draft. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 5, 2014 10:01:34 GMT -5
Was puttering around the net looking at sports here and there. Went to Bleacher.com and looked up the Habs. Here are some good fits for our club as recommended by Brandon DuBreuil, guest columnist to Bleacher. 2014 NHL Draft: 5 Perfect fits for MontrealCheers. |
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Post by GNick99 on Feb 5, 2014 11:03:11 GMT -5
Was puttering around the net looking at sports here and there. Went to Bleacher.com and looked up the Habs. Here are some good fits for our club as recommended by Brandon DuBreuil, guest columnist to Bleacher. 2014 NHL Draft: 5 Perfect fits for MontrealCheers. I would do back flips if Ritchie is there when we draft. But I know he won't be. I have him 7th in my mock draft, and that could be argued is a bit late. Ehlers is fast but small, I doubt he is best fit in Montreal. Looks like Gallagher will be here longterm, Hudon is small, Reway, Collberg, Andrighetto, Habs are set for small forwards in future. If Habs draft 18-20th, Alex Tuch be a good pick for Habs. From state of New York playing for USND team. Reminds me a little of John LeClair. Good wheels, good size, good hands, lot there Habs need. In second round, Brendan Lemieux stood out to me in Top Prospects Game. Plays a lot like his father, who was picked by Habs in second round of 1983 draft. A player you hate to play against, gets under opponets skin. Has good size, should chip in 50 points at NHL level someday. |
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Post by blny on Feb 5, 2014 12:56:42 GMT -5
I with Nick. I don't believe Ritchie will be available when Montreal is ready to pick - unless they continue a downward spiral or trade up to get him. He's got good size, speed, and hands. He gets his shot of fast, accurately, and up high.
Tryamkin might be interesting. His numbers certainly suggest he's got potential. With that size, playing in the KHL as a teen on big ice, he's got to be able to skate pretty well. The Russian Factor might play in, but he's someone to look out for.
Ehlers is a great player. If he's around when Montreal picks, he'll be hard to pass up. He's racked up points in Halifax while in his first season in Canada and done it while Drouin, Ashley and others were out of the lineup. I'd make room for him by parting with some border line prospects if I had to.
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