Draft '20

[BadCompany]

So we have reached that point in our regularly scheduled programming… draft talk! I will try not step on NWTHabsFan toes here, but from what I am reading it is not considered to be a particularly deep draft, but that the top 9 or so are very, very good. One pundit said that any of these players could have gone top 5 in any other draft. But after that there is a fall off, and 10-20 or so are more or less the same. But one of those skaters - Anton Lundell - has a lot of "two-way, questionable offense" scouting reports and another one of those top-5-talent-players is a goalie. So we really don’t want to be sitting in the 9th overall spot – if nobody else takes the goalie we’d be left with the choice of taking a top 5 goalie talent, a "safe" player, or taking a top 20 skater talent. Better to just stay in that top eight and not have to worry about it.

Or so I have read, anyways.

Anywhoo, here is my preliminary ranking of those top 8 skaters, and my (current) order of preference. Subject to change, of course.

-------------------------------------

1. Alexis Lafreniere (LW): Not a Crosby or McDavid, but in the next tier of first overalls. Not a Ryan Nugent Hopkins, but more like a Taylor Hall, John Tavares, or Nathan MacKinnon. Superstar player, but not a generational talent. Big, a winger, a local kid… the only question is would the pressure kill him, were he to end up in Montreal?

2. Quinten Byfield (C): 6’4, 215lbs center with Malkin-like skill. Even if it isn’t a position of need, if he is indeed the next Malkin then you gotta take him. Him and Kotkaniemi down the middle gives you droolable size, and you’d still have Suzuki as your #3. Sweet.

3. Tim Stutzle (LW, C, RW): I really liked him at the WJC, where I had no idea who he was, and wasn’t looking for him at all. That’s how much he stood out to me. He’s listed as being able to play all forward positions, but he seemed more like a natural center at the WJC. That could have been because he was by far the best player on his team, and thus took them on his shoulders. If he can play wing he might be fast-tracked to the NHL. Very fast, very agile, does everything very, very well.

4. Jamie Drysdale (D): Small defenseman, but a dynamic skater and player. Very much like Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes. Do you consider him at 2nd overall even? He’d be a natural replacement for Petry two years from now, and for Weber in 3-4.

5. Marco Rossi (C): Small center, but aggressive with a touch of nasty. A possible Max Domi when Max Domi decides he wants to play like Max Domi, i.e., punch Aaron Ekblad in the face Max Domi? Apparently has an insane desire to be better at everything. I think this would be a controversial pick, in that everybody will be going “hahaha, another small Hab – and a center to boot!”, but I also think it might be a homerun.

6. Alexander Holtz (RW): Pure goal scorer, also at a position of need. Probably just a notch below Caufield in terms of shooting ability, but only a notch, and maybe a better all-around player at this stage.

7. Cole Perfetti (C, LW): Also an elite goal scorer, but plays center. Also not super big.

8. Lucas Raymond (RW) : Apparently more of a playmaker than a goal scorer, but at this point you take talent.

-------------------------------------

Bob McKenzie's January Rankings

Craig Button's January Rankings

Tankathon's Mock Draft Simulator

Lottery Odds

[franko]

I was at a 67s game and wondered who I should be looking out for so sent a text to NWT. by the time he replied (what was with that, isn't he on call for our questions any time we have one?) I had discovered through watching who I should pay attention to. Rossi will be a good one. Also Jack Quinn. We'll miss out on them both.

[NWTHabsFan]

Mar 2, 2020 11:30:14 GMT -5 franko said:

I was at a 67s game and wondered who I should be looking out for so sent a text to NWT. by the time he replied (what was with that, isn't he on call for our questions any time we have one?) I had discovered through watching who I should pay attention to. Rossi will be a good one. Also Jack Quinn. We'll miss out on them both.

The 67s were on Sportsnet on Saturday. I did not think it was the best game that I had seen from either Rossi or Quinn, but they are both going first round...with Rossi very likely gone by when we pick. If he was a little bigger...holy cow!! He is skilled.

[NWTHabsFan]

Great work BC, you saved me a ton of typing!!

I will just add a few random and hopefully complementary thoughts.

• I have been saying we need to finish in the top 8 for a while. That still definitely holds true now.
• Askarov (the goalie) is the wild card right now. I have heard all the usual super hype: generational goalie, best goalie prospect since Price. He really had a rough WJC, but that is not a total shocker for a 17 year old playing against 19 year olds. Will someone pick him ahead of our pick (this is a total redo of last season with Spencer Knight...once he was picked ahead of us another good skater dropped to us)?
• Lundell missed the WJC due to injury. That was going to be the big test to see how he did against all the other top prospects who were also playing at the WJC this past year. It was a scouts' dream, as it is rare to have so many top guys playing at the U20s. If nothing changes, I can see us picking him. I would really love to sneak a pick into that top eight group though.
• Perfetti is a sniper. He had a great coming out party at last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The knock on him is his skating is definitely not elite by any means.
• This is not a great draft for top end defenders. Drysdale will be in demand as a result. It is also why Sanderson from the USDTP is rising up to the edge of the top 12 or so.
• I watched a lot of the German WJC games just to see Stutzle and his two other draft eligible mates. This kid has loads of hockey IQ and is playing very well in the DEL against men every game. Once he had that more mainstream exposure, he really moved up into top three on most of the public draft lists after the WJC.

[BadCompany]

Hey NWT, do you think Henrix Lapierre falls into the 2nd round? Potentially a top 10 talent, but the concussions are obviously a huge concern. I don’t know what to make of the fact that he is sitting out longer, even though he is symptom free, because he wants to make sure his head is okay. Is it a courageous decision by him, taking care of his health even though it could cost him big time on draft day? Is it a smart decision for not only his health but his long-term career? Or is it a sign that he’s still hurt and not telling anyone? I wouldn’t suggest taking him with our first pick, and I don’t think anybody is going to trade out of the 1st round so forget about trading up into the first to get him, but if he is still around on Day 2 he might make for a very interesting gamble at the top of the 2nd. There you might be able to trade up a few spots to get him.

Or maybe if they trade Tatar for a 1st round pick do you take a chance on him in the mid-first?

[NWTHabsFan]

Mar 3, 2020 8:37:54 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

Hey NWT, do you think Henrix Lapierre falls into the 2nd round? Potentially a top 10 talent, but the concussions are obviously a huge concern. I don’t know what to make of the fact that he is sitting out longer, even though he is symptom free, because he wants to make sure his head is okay. Is it a courageous decision by him, taking care of his health even though it could cost him big time on draft day? Is it a smart decision for not only his health but his long-term career? Or is it a sign that he’s still hurt and not telling anyone? I wouldn’t suggest taking him with our first pick, and I don’t think anybody is going to trade out of the 1st round so forget about trading up into the first to get him, but if he is still around on Day 2 he might make for a very interesting gamble at the top of the 2nd. There you might be able to trade up a few spots to get him.

Or maybe if they trade Tatar for a 1st round pick do you take a chance on him in the mid-first?

Just read this today on him. If so, then this may offset some of the concussion fears that no doubt exist in the scouting ranks.

I expect some team will now grab him in the 10-20 range and may very well get a darn good pick if he ends up without lingering medical issues. If we are picking 8-9, then I still think there are better/safer options for us. In terms of "safer", I mean without the possible health questions, not the Claude Julien definition of safer. If we start to drop into the 12-15 range, Berg likely will be tempted given the location of the draft.

[BadCompany]

I guess if he comes back, plays well down the stretch and into the playoffs, and then tests fine at combine we can kiss any thoughts of getting him goodbye. As you said, some team will almost certainly jump on him in the 10-20 range, and you’d have to think that IF we were to acquire another pick in that range, say through a hypothetical Tatar trade, we would go either go defense, or aim for a Caufield-lite sniper, as opposed to another playmaking center.

Those would be my priorities in the 1st round, anyways. Defense and shooters. I just thought that if he fell to the 2nd round you can take more of a chance on the guy, considering it’s not a position of need. But alas, it doesn’t look like he will make it there.

[Tankdriver]

Mar 3, 2020 12:02:55 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

I guess if he comes back, plays well down the stretch and into the playoffs, and then tests fine at combine we can kiss any thoughts of getting him goodbye. As you said, some team will almost certainly jump on him in the 10-20 range, and you’d have to think that IF we were to acquire another pick in that range, say through a hypothetical Tatar trade, we would go either go defense, or aim for a Caufield-lite sniper, as opposed to another playmaking center.

Those would be my priorities in the 1st round, anyways. Defense and shooters. I just thought that if he fell to the 2nd round you can take more of a chance on the guy, considering it’s not a position of need. But alas, it doesn’t look like he will make it there.

I think we are short on RD in 3 to 5 years time so I assume some of our later picks will be going that way.

[folatre]

It would be a godsend to get into the top three. But realistically, picking between 7-10, I would be pleased to grab a kid like Holtz.

Montreal's two more valuable second round picks should be top 40 overall. Given how relatively full the cupboard is now, quality over quantity should be the premise and if the Habs could give up those picks to move up to get an additional first rounder in the #20 range to grab a kid like Lapierre, Poirier, or Barron then for me that would be solid.

[Willie Dog]

Mb will trade a 2nd for a 4th and 5th just so they can go to the podium more often.

[GNick99]

Rossi if we get him at 8 or 9th, be doing backflips over. Zary with combination of hands and speed I like, Trade down and pick him around 12th I would do if Rossi gone. Add a asset and get guy I want. Bourque is underrated, maybe trade down and pick him around 20th. COuld add a major asset doing this.

Unless a Raymond slides I would pick a center over a winger at 9th. If close in talent I think a center has more value to a team. No winger I see at 9 much more skilled than a Zary. Maybe slightly but not head and shoulders. A center gives a team more options as can play a center at wing but can't play a winger at center. Which adds depth. As 1 of our top 2 centers usually has a bad season or goes down to injury long term. One thing I think went wrong with this team this year with Koktaniemi. We had to move a bottom 6 cneter on a top line which curtailed us, how teams played us. Also, 3 offensive centers gives team option of spreading offense over 3 lines. Not that I like but it is effective in some short term playoff series. Also, a center usually returns more in trade, in case have to trade him 5 to 10 years down the road.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Mar 2, 2020 11:42:30 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Mar 2, 2020 11:30:14 GMT -5 franko said:

I was at a 67s game and wondered who I should be looking out for so sent a text to NWT. by the time he replied (what was with that, isn't he on call for our questions any time we have one?) I had discovered through watching who I should pay attention to. Rossi will be a good one. Also Jack Quinn. We'll miss out on them both.

The 67s were on Sportsnet on Saturday. I did not think it was the best game that I had seen from either Rossi or Quinn, but they are both going first round...with Rossi very likely gone by when we pick. If he was a little bigger...holy cow!! He is skilled.

I don't doubt Marco Rossi's talent level, but I would be a bit concerned if we had him at 5'9" centring Cole Caufield at 5'7" ... I know it's a different league than it was when Saku Koivu centred Valeri Bure and Oleg Petrov, but this is the vision I get when I think of these two on the same line together ...

Cheers.

[GNick99]

Mar 3, 2020 11:02:35 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Mar 3, 2020 8:37:54 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

Hey NWT, do you think Henrix Lapierre falls into the 2nd round? Potentially a top 10 talent, but the concussions are obviously a huge concern. I don’t know what to make of the fact that he is sitting out longer, even though he is symptom free, because he wants to make sure his head is okay. Is it a courageous decision by him, taking care of his health even though it could cost him big time on draft day? Is it a smart decision for not only his health but his long-term career? Or is it a sign that he’s still hurt and not telling anyone? I wouldn’t suggest taking him with our first pick, and I don’t think anybody is going to trade out of the 1st round so forget about trading up into the first to get him, but if he is still around on Day 2 he might make for a very interesting gamble at the top of the 2nd. There you might be able to trade up a few spots to get him.

Or maybe if they trade Tatar for a 1st round pick do you take a chance on him in the mid-first?

Just read this today on him. If so, then this may offset some of the concussion fears that no doubt exist in the scouting ranks.

I expect some team will now grab him in the 10-20 range and may very well get a darn good pick if he ends up without lingering medical issues. If we are picking 8-9, then I still think there are better/safer options for us. In terms of "safer", I mean without the possible health questions, not the Claude Julien definition of safer. If we start to drop into the 12-15 range, Berg likely will be tempted given the location of the draft.

At 8th, who would you pick Holtz or Perfetti?

[NWTHabsFan]

I have both Perfetti and Holtz in my top 8, so I don’t expect we will get a choice of both. Perfetti is an amazing goal scorer, but I have concerns about his skating and size. I like the overall package that Holtz brings and I think his game is more easily transferable to the NHL. So, if just between these two, I think I would go Holtz. If it ends up that we pick eighth, then it is very realistic that one of these two will be the BPA left when we pick. Either way, a decent haul at eighth.

I have a bunch of Perfetti’s Hlinka games pvred that I have yet to watch, so I may very well change my mind by June or whenever they end up holding the draft!!

[Cranky]

Mar 8, 2020 10:31:21 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Mb will trade a 2nd for a 4th and 5th just so they can go to the podium more often.

I can't believe that you are such a small thinker....

Teams can trade so many 6th and 7ths that I think Bbinz can trade our 1st and get 8 of them without a problem.

[GNick99]

Mar 25, 2020 14:44:13 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

I have both Perfetti and Holtz in my top 8, so I don’t expect we will get a choice of both. Perfetti is an amazing goal scorer, but I have concerns about his skating and size. I like the overall package that Holtz brings and I think his game is more easily transferable to the NHL. So, if just between these two, I think I would go Holtz. If it ends up that we pick eighth, then it is very realistic that one of these two will be the BPA left when we pick. Either way, a decent haul at eighth.

I have a bunch of Perfetti’s Hlinka games pvred that I have yet to watch, so I may very well change my mind by June or whenever they end up holding the draft!!

Like you could come down to who is left between Perfetti or Holtz. Do you see any chance Perfetti could play center in NHL? If a team sees him as potential center they may select him ahead of Holtz.

I'm not as high on Lapierre as you guys are. Lapierre is not a goal scorer with long injury history. I see solid chance he slides into 2nd round. I remember in the Ivan Hlinka, Perfetti made Lapierre look better than what he is. Seem him do similar thing to Suzuki after his trade to the Spirit. Albeit limited what I seen, 1 game against the Storm. If we do draft Perfetti, Suzuki maybe an interesting at 2021 Trade deadline if we are sellers.

Are those Ivan Hlinka games on YOutube?

[Willie Dog]

Mar 25, 2020 15:54:26 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Mar 8, 2020 10:31:21 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Mb will trade a 2nd for a 4th and 5th just so they can go to the podium more often.

I can't believe that you are such a small thinker....

Teams can trade so many 6th and 7ths that I think Bbinz can trade our 1st and get 8 of them without a problem.

I need to think bigger

[NWTHabsFan]

Mar 26, 2020 7:54:05 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

Mar 25, 2020 14:44:13 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

I have both Perfetti and Holtz in my top 8, so I don’t expect we will get a choice of both. Perfetti is an amazing goal scorer, but I have concerns about his skating and size. I like the overall package that Holtz brings and I think his game is more easily transferable to the NHL. So, if just between these two, I think I would go Holtz. If it ends up that we pick eighth, then it is very realistic that one of these two will be the BPA left when we pick. Either way, a decent haul at eighth.

I have a bunch of Perfetti’s Hlinka games pvred that I have yet to watch, so I may very well change my mind by June or whenever they end up holding the draft!!

Like you could come down to who is left between Perfetti or Holtz. Do you see any chance Perfetti could play center in NHL? If a team sees him as potential center they may select him ahead of Holtz.

I'm not as high on Lapierre as you guys are. Lapierre is not a goal scorer with long injury history. I see solid chance he slides into 2nd round. I remember in the Ivan Hlinka, Perfetti made Lapierre look better than what he is. Seem him do similar thing to Suzuki after his trade to the Spirit. Albeit limited what I seen, 1 game against the Storm. If we do draft Perfetti, Suzuki maybe an interesting at 2021 Trade deadline if we are sellers.

Are those Ivan Hlinka games on YOutube?

I have a bunch of games on pvr. However, there is a YouTube account TaiwanHockey that does have some of the full games and highlights of the Hlinka.

As for Perfetti and Lapierre. The former is clearly in the top tier of this draft. Lapierre is either later in the 10-20 tier or a bit lower (late first possible early second) depending on injury history concerns. Just my opinion. A team with multiple firsts could pounce with their later pick.

[seventeen]

Listened to a short assessment of some already drafted Canuck prospects and the guy talked a bit about the 2020 draft. He said that at first it was believed to be a really deep draft through a couple of rounds at least, but that assessment not prevalent any longer. He said the top 12 picks are really strong, but that it drops off after that. I didn't get a feel for how badly it drops off (eg, 2013 was a cliff rather than a hill). It was an observation that gets one thinking.

There's been a ton of opinions about the quality of this draft, from very strong to average. There are no McDavids or even MacKinnons, but there are several guys at the top that I like quite a bit. I like Perfetti quite a bit, but then I think I've seen the Hlinka. Perfetti had 7 goals, 2 assists there.

[NWTHabsFan]

Mar 26, 2020 11:59:16 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Listened to a short assessment of some already drafted Canuck prospects and the guy talked a bit about the 2020 draft. He said that at first it was believed to be a really deep draft through a couple of rounds at least, but that assessment not prevalent any longer. He said the top 12 picks are really strong, but that it drops off after that. I didn't get a feel for how badly it drops off (eg, 2013 was a cliff rather than a hill). It was an observation that gets one thinking.

There's been a ton of opinions about the quality of this draft, from very strong to average. There are no McDavids or even MacKinnons, but there are several guys at the top that I like quite a bit. I like Perfetti quite a bit, but then I think I've seen the Hlinka. Perfetti had 7 goals, 2 assists there.

After about mid way through the second, you better have scouted well. I like a number of guys who could go third and fourth round though, so there is some depth as always. There will be players past the mid way of the second for sure, but there will be duds too. This is a draft for good scouting teams. Some of the overagers and lesser scouted kids could be good value, especially when the U18s, Memorial Cup and many league playoffs did not happen. You will have needed to scout early and often. The Habs’ Euro combine (hush hush) has really helped of late. Hopefully they can still hold one.

[GNick99]

Mar 26, 2020 11:14:59 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Mar 26, 2020 7:54:05 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

Like you could come down to who is left between Perfetti or Holtz. Do you see any chance Perfetti could play center in NHL? If a team sees him as potential center they may select him ahead of Holtz.

I'm not as high on Lapierre as you guys are. Lapierre is not a goal scorer with long injury history. I see solid chance he slides into 2nd round. I remember in the Ivan Hlinka, Perfetti made Lapierre look better than what he is. Seem him do similar thing to Suzuki after his trade to the Spirit. Albeit limited what I seen, 1 game against the Storm. If we do draft Perfetti, Suzuki maybe an interesting at 2021 Trade deadline if we are sellers.

Are those Ivan Hlinka games on YOutube?

I have a bunch of games on pvr. However, there is a YouTube account TaiwanHockey that does have some of the full games and highlights of the Hlinka.

As for Perfetti and Lapierre. The former is clearly in the top tier of this draft. Lapierre is either later in the 10-20 tier or a bit lower (late first possible early second) depending on injury history concerns. Just my opinion. A team with multiple firsts could pounce with their later pick.

If we get Perfetti it is 100% fine with me. He was outstanding in the Ivan Hlinka and Top Prospects Game. That is best on best, if he performed well there speaks volumes for his NHL potential. He may slide due to his skating. His skating you could tell was a concern, yes, but his performance was great in those tournies. His ability to handle the puck in traffic is outstanding.

Do you think he can play center in NHL?

[GNick99]

Mar 26, 2020 11:14:59 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Mar 26, 2020 7:54:05 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

Like you could come down to who is left between Perfetti or Holtz. Do you see any chance Perfetti could play center in NHL? If a team sees him as potential center they may select him ahead of Holtz.

I'm not as high on Lapierre as you guys are. Lapierre is not a goal scorer with long injury history. I see solid chance he slides into 2nd round. I remember in the Ivan Hlinka, Perfetti made Lapierre look better than what he is. Seem him do similar thing to Suzuki after his trade to the Spirit. Albeit limited what I seen, 1 game against the Storm. If we do draft Perfetti, Suzuki maybe an interesting at 2021 Trade deadline if we are sellers.

Are those Ivan Hlinka games on YOutube?

I have a bunch of games on pvr. However, there is a YouTube account TaiwanHockey that does have some of the full games and highlights of the Hlinka.

Found his channel. Thanks! He has quite a number of good games there. Will watch Sweden/Canada this afternoon. Wanted to check out Nybeck and Wallinder anyway. Looking for the next Naslund I guess on Nybeck. lol I know slim chance of that. This game will give me something to watch while I am shut down without much to do. Wallinder may slide in 2nd round or we could trade up to late first, he is a defenseman which we need

[NWTHabsFan]

Since we have been talking a bit about Holtz, here is one report on him.

[NWTHabsFan]

And a bit of a report on Perfetti, just because.

www.nhl.com/news/nhl-draft-prospect-cole-perfetti-making-mark/c-310960286

[GNick99]

Mar 28, 2020 13:16:35 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Since we have been talking a bit about Holtz, here is one report on him.

I did a mock draft other day. I had Ottawa taking Holtz and Raymond both. Then i took Jarvis for Sens with Isles pick. Makes for a good draft I would say. Adding those 3 in first round.

[GNick99]

Mar 28, 2020 13:25:00 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

And a bit of a report on Perfetti, just because.

www.nhl.com/news/nhl-draft-prospect-cole-perfetti-making-mark/c-310960286

I watched the Sweden Canada game other day, in the Hlinka Gretzky. Perfetti was outstanding. But Holtz and Raymond did not play. So, wasn't best on best like I said a few days ago. I forgot they were not there.

Strong chance Perfetti will be there at 8th. I took him in mock draft. It was an internal debate though, between him and Jarvis. Jarvis looked real good though in the Sweden game. Albeit, 1 game is a small sample size. I never thought he was that good before.

Cormier was outstanding in Sweden game and TPG also. LaPierre played well in Sweden game. If we could get those 3 in this draft be great drsft.

The Blues and Caps pick are freebies. Maybe combine one of those picks with our own 2nd, or Hawks 2nd and trade up to get Cormier and LaPierre?

Grieg looked good at Hlinka. Real smart 2 way center. Valuable part to a team. Could be a Domimic Moore type. If he is there in 3rd round...take him.

[GNick99]

Mar 26, 2020 11:59:16 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Listened to a short assessment of some already drafted Canuck prospects and the guy talked a bit about the 2020 draft. He said that at first it was believed to be a really deep draft through a couple of rounds at least, but that assessment not prevalent any longer. He said the top 12 picks are really strong, but that it drops off after that. I didn't get a feel for how badly it drops off (eg, 2013 was a cliff rather than a hill). It was an observation that gets one thinking.

There's been a ton of opinions about the quality of this draft, from very strong to average. There are no McDavids or even MacKinnons, but there are several guys at the top that I like quite a bit. I like Perfetti quite a bit, but then I think I've seen the Hlinka. Perfetti had 7 goals, 2 assists there.

I found top 8-9 first line top players. It drops off after that but still solid players. Jarvis, Lundell, Zary, Mercer Gunier, Etc... Still a lot of talent available, from roughly 20 thru 60. I see more than usually. LaPierre, Bourque, Cormier, Forester, Barron, Schneider, etc...

Montreal with 4 picks in top 58 should be good draft for us.

[folatre]

GNick, were you assuming that Ottawa is picking 2nd and 3rd? Most of the rankings that I recall from late January seemed to believe that Lafreniere is the the solid first overall and Byfield/Stutzle have created some distance between themselves and the others likely to go in the top ten.

Dorion is a good evaluator of amateur talent but it would surprise me if he went off the board in those slots.

Lapierre was excellent at the Hlinka. But with everything that happened to him this season it is hard to say where he goes.

Holtz and Perfetti profile to be good NHL players eventually. If Montreal is picking 8th or 9th, it would be hard to complain about getting one of them and looking forward to a Habs debut in, say, 2022-23.

[GNick99]

Mar 28, 2020 16:51:08 GMT -5 folatre said:

GNick, were you assuming that Ottawa is picking 2nd and 3rd? Most of the rankings that I recall from late January seemed to believe that Lafreniere is the the solid first overall and Byfield/Stutzle have created some distance between themselves and the others likely to go in the top ten.

Dorion is a good evaluator of amateur talent but it would surprise me if he went off the board in those slots.

Lapierre was excellent at the Hlinka. But with everything that happened to him this season it is hard to say where he goes.

Holtz and Perfetti profile to be good NHL players eventually. If Montreal is picking 8th or 9th, it would be hard to complain about getting one of them and looking forward to a Habs debut in, say, 2022-23.

I ran the simulator, just for the fun of it. First time I had Devils draft first and Habs 3rd overall. Re-did it as sounded too bias. lol

Ended up Sens draft 3 and 4th, just something I thought their owner may do. First time I ran it Sens drafted 4th and 6th. I had them taking the Russian goalie at 6th. Didn't sound realistic so re-did the lottery.

Lapierre hasn't had a good season. Could see him sliding to us in 2nd round. Around 40th? According to how interview goes and what our doctors say if we pick him or not. It is a risk.

Jarvis looked good in Hlinka/Gretzky. May have been where he was playing with Byfield? Don't think McKenzie had Jarvis in top30 at start of year. Not sure how good Jarvis is? Bourque I have as between a Danualt and Bruins Bergeron. Likely a good #2 center in NHL. Foudy has great wheels but can't finish. Still should be good on PK and adds speed to your team. Could be a good pick up late in draft. Guhle I was impressed with, Schneider played well. If we can trade up from 2nd round in draft to get either of those in late 1st, be good draft.

Perfetti is small, could be carbon copy of Caufield. Habs may not want to go in that direction. Don't know Lundell well enough to make a decision. If Habs don't want Perfetti at 8th, may consider trading down couple slots and picking up an asset to trade later so can move up in late 1st. Then draft either Zary or Jarvis at 11 or 12th. As picks after Perfetti likely be the Russian goalie then Lundell. So, we still get offensive player but add asset to trade up into late 1st. But like to see a game involving Lundell first before making that decision.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jarvis has been a quiet riser this season. Zary was getting all the hype as the top WHL forward, but it will almost surely be Jarvis now. Top 12 would not shock me one bit.