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Post by blny on Mar 13, 2017 18:54:02 GMT -5
Not really sure where to put this. Prospects seemed as good a place as any, especially with the draft so far off. I did want to get it down "on paper", because I'm likely to forget when the time comes lol. Talking with 17 in the Oilers PGT about the Oilers-Devils trade last summer, and the Devils need for help got me thinking. They're a lottery team, and given where they are have a very good shot at a top 2 pick. Patrick is the consensus #1 atm, and as a 2 way center would likely fit the Devils ideology very well. Hischier is perhaps more dynamic, and certainly smaller. Either would give the Devils a much needed shot in the arm at the center position. Here's where we tie into Montreal. Hischier has an undrafted 19 year old team mate in Maxime Fortier. Maxime had 31 goals and 77 points on a horrible Mooseheads team last year. He's backed it up this year with 30 goals and 83 points in 65 games. His +/- is way up as well. At 5'10 and 178, he's by no means big. He is, however, skilled and a strong skater. Here's a list of players that didn't get drafted last year that surprised some. Fortier is on the list. thehockeywriters.com/2016-nhl-draft-top-undrafted-prospects/So, my point. I wonder if, in a draft year so weak, it wouldn't be a good idea to look at at least over age player. Instead of taking a flyer ona player with one decent season under his belt, how about picking a guy 6 months older coming off two very good seasons? Montreal has 3 seconds, and have used picks in recent years on over age players. Thoughts? |
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Post by seventeen on Mar 13, 2017 23:34:37 GMT -5
More than a few NHL teams, using advanced stats, are picking 19 year olds instead of 18 year olds. The Habs did that in 2015, taking Lukas Vejdemo. The Leafs took a 20 Year old, Igor Korshkov in 2016 at pick #31 and Adam Brooks another 20 year old in 2016 at #92. There are probably more examples, but these are the quickest I found.
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Post by blny on Mar 14, 2017 6:51:58 GMT -5
More than a few NHL teams, using advanced stats, are picking 19 year olds instead of 18 year olds. The Habs did that in 2015, taking Lukas Vejdemo. The Leafs took a 20 Year old, Igor Korshkov in 2016 at pick #31 and Adam Brooks another 20 year old in 2016 at #92. There are probably more examples, but these are the quickest I found. It's definitely becoming more popular around the league. It's probably what's spurring a push by some for the draft age to move a year. I'm wondering if it makes more sense to look that way in a year where the pool of 18 year olds is weak, or should you just look that way on a case by case basis. Fortier could be another Andrighetto. He could also be another Gaudreau. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Mar 14, 2017 6:59:50 GMT -5
Good timing for the thread ... we were talking about who the top prospects will be in this year's draft and it was a short discussion because no one really knew any of the big names ...
Cheers.
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Post by blny on Mar 14, 2017 7:39:40 GMT -5
There's no can't miss stud in this year's draft. Patrick, consensus #1, looks to be a strong 2 way player, but he's not a Matthews, Laine, or McDavid. He'll likely be a strong possession player that drives play, but won't be as flashy as some recent #1s. Hischier has moved up steadily. He projects to be very similar to Ehlers. They're the best two. There are significant questions marks and drop offs after that. www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/sportsnets-2017-nhl-draft-prospect-rankings-march/ |
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Post by BadCompany on Mar 14, 2017 8:53:14 GMT -5
I always wondered why they didn't go to a 19 year old draft after the lost lockout year. Would have been the perfect opportunity. Would have helped the junior teams keep their stars for one more year, would have cleared up some of the confusion surrounding European eligibility, and it would have made scouting easier, as it would give teams one more year to see these kids grow. Perhaps if Crosby wasn't in that draft they would have done that...
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Post by blny on Mar 14, 2017 9:17:34 GMT -5
I always wondered why they didn't go to a 19 year old draft after the lost lockout year. Would have been the perfect opportunity. Would have helped the junior teams keep their stars for one more year, would have cleared up some of the confusion surrounding European eligibility, and it would have made scouting easier, as it would give teams one more year to see these kids grow. Perhaps if Crosby wasn't in that draft they would have done that... I definitely agree that Crosby was the reason. They could have done it for 12-13 shortened year, but you've got MacKinnon. |
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Post by Skilly on Mar 28, 2017 12:28:50 GMT -5
They could always have an exceptional player exemption, much like the junior ranks do.
If there is a 17-18yr old who is believed to be an elite talent, he can enter the NHL draft a year early. If not, you wait until you are 19 ...
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Post by blny on Mar 28, 2017 13:40:48 GMT -5
They could always have an exceptional player exemption, much like the junior ranks do. If there is a 17-18yr old who is believed to be an elite talent, he can enter the NHL draft a year early. If not, you wait until you are 19 ... What would be the deadline to declare? Trade deadline of current year? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 28, 2017 15:58:42 GMT -5
The last three overagers that I can recall the Habs drafting are Vejdemo, Andrighetto and Crisp (oops on that last one). I see no reason to think they would shy away from a 19 year old that they like. After all, they did invite Fortier to their development camp last summer. I half expected he might get a contract, but I guess he did not show that much. The other past invitee to watch is Petrus Palmu, a 19 year old smaller Finn who had 98 points on Owen Sound (yuppers, Michael McNiven's team). The Habs invited him to camp and no doubt have seen a lot of his game while watching McNiven. He is always noticeable in the Owen Sound games I have been able to watch...if not for his size!!
I also expect the pending 20 year olds will get a look from the team. They have been rumoured to be closely monitoring a few guys, as per a recent article that was posted in an earlier thread here. Guys like Waked and Boland from the Q are getting lots of attention. Both can be signed as free agents.
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Post by blny on Mar 28, 2017 16:01:44 GMT -5
The last three overagers that I can recall the Habs drafting are Vejdemo, Andrighetto and Crisp (oops on that last one). I see no reason to think they would shy away from a 19 year old that they like. After all, they did invite Fortier to their development camp last summer. I half expected he might get a contract, but I guess he did not show that much. The other past invitee to watch is Petrus Palmu, a 19 year old smaller Finn who had 98 points on Owen Sound (yuppers, Michael McNiven's team). The Habs invited him to camp and no doubt have seen a lot of his game while watching McNiven. He is always noticeable in the Owen Sound games I have been able to watch...if not for his size!! I also expect the pending 20 year olds will get a look from the team. They have been rumoured to be closely monitoring a few guys, as per a recent article that was posted in an earlier thread here. Guys like Waked and Boland from the Q are getting lots of attention. Both can be signed as free agents. Fortier has had another good season in Halifax. Might get another look somewhere. |
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 6, 2017 13:52:53 GMT -5
I'd say draft a center. They seem to be hardest to find. Robert Thomas somebody like that
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 6, 2017 16:37:53 GMT -5
I'd say draft a center. They seem to be hardest to find. Robert Thomas somebody like that I would hope a center would be the priority, and a skilled one to boot. Time to get a few more of them in the prospect pool. You can always convert some of them to wingers if it is crowded in the center spot but it is pretty rare to convert the other way. Our prospect pool is severely lacking in skilled forward depth. |
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 7, 2017 4:08:12 GMT -5
I'd say draft a center. They seem to be hardest to find. Robert Thomas somebody like that I would hope a center would be the priority, and a skilled one to boot. Time to get a few more of them in the prospect pool. You can always convert some of them to wingers if it is crowded in the center spot but it is pretty rare to convert the other way. Our prospect pool is severely lacking in skilled forward depth. Cole Lind is another one. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 7, 2017 8:35:01 GMT -5
I remember when the minimum age for the NHL Amateur Draft was 20 years of age ( link) ... many players still had to do stints in the minors, but when the kids finally made it to their big clubs they were a lot more prepared (or so I think, anyway) ... the link not only mentions Sydney Crosby, but also Steven Stamkos, Eric Lindros and Mario Lemieux, as exceptions but it also points out that drafting at 18 years of age is more of 'hope-he-pans-out' kind thing ... it can be argued that drafting 20-year-olds is the same thing, but that's two more years of development and identifying future NHLers might lessen that 'leap of faith' mindset that's somewhat prevalent when drafting at 18 ... Cheers. |
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2017 7:21:18 GMT -5
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Post by franko on Jun 1, 2017 10:05:43 GMT -5
Pretty decent prospect and potential. Reads much like Pacioretty. Inconsistent and streaky? |
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2017 10:24:04 GMT -5
Pretty decent prospect and potential. Reads much like Pacioretty. Inconsistent and streaky? We need scorers now, and we will if Max either doesn't last the duration of his current deal or sign an extension. Streaky or not. Good size, rangy, soft hands, good wrist shot, a good skater that takes a moment to get up to speed. Spokane's Kailer Yamamoto projects to be around in the area where Montreal is slated to pick. He's small, but very talented. Kostin(C) out of Russia is a potential option, but he raises the typical Russian red flags. He's enigmatic, refused to report to Kootenay, dominates for stretches and disappears for others. He's a big body player that skates extremely well and can protect the puck. Given the team's lack of center depth, he's a real option if available - despite the issues. Norris is a center out of the USHL. He's got dual citizenship. He's committed to Michigan. I'm not sure he projects to be an offensive player at the NHL level, but if center becomes the focus, he's likely on the radar. He and Halifax prospect Shane Bower (USHL, committed to BU) would seem to be a similar player. Smart, 2-way players that are good at both ends of the ice but not flashy. |
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Post by seventeen on Jun 1, 2017 11:46:17 GMT -5
Pretty decent prospect and potential. Reads much like Pacioretty. Hard to find his house? |
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2017 13:33:01 GMT -5
Pretty decent prospect and potential. Reads much like Pacioretty. Hard to find his house? If by that you mean the front of the net, Robertson doesn't have any aversion to going there according to scouts.  |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 1, 2017 13:46:12 GMT -5
Pretty decent prospect and potential. Reads much like Pacioretty. Hard to find his house? Would that be Bergevin going to the wrong house to tell Pacioretty that he had just been elected captain ... Cheers. |
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Post by seventeen on Jun 1, 2017 14:36:53 GMT -5
Would that be Bergevin going to the wrong house to tell Pacioretty that he had just been elected captain ... Cheers. Berg and Therrien together. I think that story is going to be legendary. I still chuckle at it. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 13, 2017 7:28:17 GMT -5
If Marc Bergevin sorts out his centre issue without touching his draft picks, it wouldn't surprise me to him draft another d-man in the 1st round ... on another note, anyone in Ottawa see Greg Meireles play last year ... he's a small, skilled centre ... maybe a mid-rounds kind of guy? ...
Cheers.
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Post by GNick99 on Jun 15, 2017 18:33:14 GMT -5
If Marc Bergevin sorts out his centre issue without touching his draft picks, it wouldn't surprise me to him draft another d-man in the 1st round ... on another note, anyone in Ottawa see Greg Meireles play last year ... he's a small, skilled centre ... maybe a mid-rounds kind of guy? ... Cheers. He may now with the Drouin trade. Brannstrom may be a guy Bergs picks, would not surprise me. If he still wants more at center....Mismarch looked good in u18. Thomas may be good pick if he is still there. Norris could be a sleeper. Anderson-Dolan could be another Plekanec. |
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Post by seventeen on Jun 15, 2017 22:49:21 GMT -5
Anderson-Dolan has a very good wrist shot. Average speed and played with Yamamoto which might have given him more time and space. He's projected as a second rounder. Lots to like about him, though. While there isn't the cream of the crop like last year, there are a lot of sound players. Perhaps even more 2nd tier guys than last year.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 15, 2017 23:25:31 GMT -5
Lots of Europeans, centres and defenders. We could still easily go Centre with our pick, although there will be Dmen around that spot for sure. Working on my mock and list.
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Post by seventeen on Jun 15, 2017 23:36:11 GMT -5
Can't wait for that NWT. Gnick's and BC's too and anyone else who's willing to put in all that time.
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Post by GNick99 on Jun 17, 2017 5:35:41 GMT -5
Lots of Europeans, centres and defenders. We could still easily go Centre with our pick, although there will be Dmen around that spot for sure. Working on my mock and list. I would go with center way before defensman. Pens with 2 straight Cups shows you don't need a great defense to win a Cup. With that rag-tag bunch they had on the blueline. Likes of Justin Schultz, Ian Coles, Trevor Daleys, etc... It's center ice that is key position followed by goalie. Crosby, Malkin and good netminding which over ride Defensemen. Actually, 4 of the last 11 cups have been won with average blueline. Carolina in '06...blueline of Bret Hedigans, Wards, Tverdovskys, Kaberles, etc... Habs last Cup we never had a great blueline. We had a decent blueline but not a great one. But look at net and center with Muller, Carbonneau, Damphousse. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 18, 2017 11:40:39 GMT -5
... I haven't compared this list to other teams ...
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Post by PTH on Jun 18, 2017 12:37:01 GMT -5
... I haven't compared this list to other teams ...
I'd rather see it separated into two - first, how did the guys do, and second, were they traded, waived, etc.? For example, McDonagh isn't a drafting problem, but an asset manageemnt one and Chouinard never amounted to anything but we did get a 2nd rounder out of him. |
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