Draft '20

[folatre]

McKenzie has Rossi at 7, Sanderson 8, Holtz 9, and Quinn at 10.

GNick, interesting point you make about right wings. I will have to think more about that.

[BadCompany]

The Bob-Father's Final Rankings. McKenzie's rankings are usually the closest thing to how NHL teams actually see these kids, though of course there are always outliers.

Lafreniere the surest thing in a most uncertain draft

Stutzle at #2 might be a mild surprise, as Byfield has been #2 for most of the season. Stutzle's elite skating apparently moved him up a spot (though I really liked him at the WJC).

[Disgruntled70sHab]

I've been reading more on Zion Nybeck, LW, but does anyone have any opinions on him ...

Cheers.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jun 23, 2020 11:25:12 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

I've been reading more on Zion Nybeck, LW, but does anyone have any opinions on him ...

Cheers.

Skilled forward, but small. A common trait of a lot of the more skilled forwards this draft. He was the captain of the Five Nations team, where I watched three of his games. I believe I also saw him on the Hlinka team. Solid in all parts of the rink and always gives good effort. He is small, but does not shy away from contact either.

[seventeen]

Gleaning from McKenzie's list, I'm really hopeful that someone judges Sanderson as being a top 7 pick. My druthers are either Perfetti or Rossi and I'm not hopeful that either will be available at #8 unless some team takes a stab at Sanderson or Askarov or some other personal favourite.

[Cranky]

Sooooo......can someone give me the cliff notes of were we are picking? I know t hat I'm old, but not old enough to be this confused over a whole lot of nothing.....

[Cranky]

Jun 23, 2020 6:49:58 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

The Bob-Father's Final Rankings. McKenzie's rankings are usually the closest thing to how NHL teams actually see these kids, though of course there are always outliers.

Lafreniere the surest thing in a most uncertain draft

Stutzle at #2 might be a mild surprise, as Byfield has been #2 for most of the season. Stutzle's elite skating apparently moved him up a spot (though I really liked him at the WJC).

If nothing changes, including the high probability of winning the Clusterpuck Cup, we would be drafting 8th and this Sanderson kid looks good. Especially being left defense.

[folatre]

Jun 23, 2020 14:20:32 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Sooooo......can someone give me the cliff notes of were we are picking? I know t hat I'm old, but not old enough to be this confused over a whole lot of nothing.....

The most likely first round draft slots for Montreal are #8, #9, and #16. Remote possibilities include: #10, #1, #2, #3, #11, #28, and #31.

Cranky, basically Friday night we should hope for the Placeholder A contestant to jump into the top three because Placeholder A is the Habs in the event that play never resumes for the 2019-20 season. And secondarily, we should hope for any Placeholder contestant in the lottery to win because if Montreal loses to Pittsburgh we would then have chances to strike gold in Phase 2 of the Lottery.

Seventeen, I have a feeling New Jersey takes Sanderson if they do not move up into the top three. My sense right now is that if Montreal is picking eighth, then at least three of the following forwards will be there: Raymond, Rossi, Perfetti, Holtz, and Quinn; and if Montreal is picking ninth, then two of that group should be there.

[Tankdriver]

From what I gather, if a placeholder is in the top 3, there is a second draft after the play in round with all those teams that lost each having a 12.5% chance.

[seventeen]

Quinn is a tough call. I haven't seen him play at all, but he's part of that question that arises whenever two or more good players are on the same line. Who actually drives offense?

One example is a Finnish line in the WJC. I believe it was Laine, Aho and Puljujaarvi. I have a strong suspicion that Aho's potential was downgraded because of playing with the other two, yet he may have been a prime driver on that line, as well as looking after the defensive side. So who is creating time and space? Quinn or Rossi? One can look pretty good if the other is capturing more of the opposition's attention.

Just a risk I don't have a handle on. I'd love to see tape of some 67's games. In some ways that's why I really like Perfetti. He led the Saginaw Spirit and was 31 points ahead of the next closest teammate who was a 20 year old. That's driving offense.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Jun 23, 2020 12:04:24 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Jun 23, 2020 11:25:12 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

I've been reading more on Zion Nybeck, LW, but does anyone have any opinions on him ...
Molson
Cheers.

Skilled forward, but small. A common trait of a lot of the more skilled forwards this draft. He was the captain of the Five Nations team, where I watched three of his games. I believe I also saw him on the Hlinka team. Solid in all parts of the rink and always gives good effort. He is small, but does not shy away from contact either.

I vote for NWTHabsFan to replace Timmons, Seventeen to replace Bergevin and ill be happy to replace Molson (do nothing and count money).

[GNick99]

Jun 23, 2020 6:49:58 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

The Bob-Father's Final Rankings. McKenzie's rankings are usually the closest thing to how NHL teams actually see these kids, though of course there are always outliers.

Lafreniere the surest thing in a most uncertain draft

Stutzle at #2 might be a mild surprise, as Byfield has been #2 for most of the season. Stutzle's elite skating apparently moved him up a spot (though I really liked him at the WJC).

NWT, you want to each pick who we would draft as Habs GM? Based on McKenzie's final rankings? Be good to compare who we each got 5 years from now.

[GNick99]

Jun 23, 2020 11:25:12 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

I've been reading more on Zion Nybeck, LW, but does anyone have any opinions on him ...

Cheers.

Wasn't blown away by him in Hlinka Gretzky. Some skill there but small. If he is there in 3rd round may take him. Berard is similar 3rd rounder with potential.

[GNick99]

Jun 23, 2020 12:24:56 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Gleaning from McKenzie's list, I'm really hopeful that someone judges Sanderson as being a top 7 pick. My druthers are either Perfetti or Rossi and I'm not hopeful that either will be available at #8 unless some team takes a stab at Sanderson or Askarov or some other personal favourite.

2nd generation player though. I have been burnt before on them. They usually have a jump on the rest. As they taught NHL training and diet from toddler onward. After first pro camp advantage seems to wane. Once the others get pro training. In baseball seems to be advantage, not so much in hockey.

[GNick99]

Jun 24, 2020 2:03:14 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Quinn is a tough call. I haven't seen him play at all, but he's part of that question that arises whenever two or more good players are on the same line. Who actually drives offense?

One example is a Finnish line in the WJC. I believe it was Laine, Aho and Puljujaarvi. I have a strong suspicion that Aho's potential was downgraded because of playing with the other two, yet he may have been a prime driver on that line, as well as looking after the defensive side. So who is creating time and space? Quinn or Rossi? One can look pretty good if the other is capturing more of the opposition's attention.

Just a risk I don't have a handle on. I'd love to see tape of some 67's games. In some ways that's why I really like Perfetti. He led the Saginaw Spirit and was 31 points ahead of the next closest teammate who was a 20 year old. That's driving offense.

Quinn, first real big year though, also 3rd year junior. Combination of two things I don't like to see drafting in top 10. Make that mistake before. I can't take Quinn in top 10.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jun 24, 2020 14:40:38 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

Jun 23, 2020 6:49:58 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

The Bob-Father's Final Rankings. McKenzie's rankings are usually the closest thing to how NHL teams actually see these kids, though of course there are always outliers.

Lafreniere the surest thing in a most uncertain draft

Stutzle at #2 might be a mild surprise, as Byfield has been #2 for most of the season. Stutzle's elite skating apparently moved him up a spot (though I really liked him at the WJC).

NWT, you want to each pick who we would draft as Habs GM? Based on McKenzie's final rankings? Be good to compare who we each got 5 years from now.

I will do it tonight. Was thinking of doing it anyway as I did a similar mock using Craig’s List. This one tends to be more accurate.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jun 23, 2020 6:49:58 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

The Bob-Father's Final Rankings. McKenzie's rankings are usually the closest thing to how NHL teams actually see these kids, though of course there are always outliers.

Lafreniere the surest thing in a most uncertain draft

Stutzle at #2 might be a mild surprise, as Byfield has been #2 for most of the season. Stutzle's elite skating apparently moved him up a spot (though I really liked him at the WJC).

I like Stutzle at #2!!

Jun 8, 2020 14:05:00 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

If we get #2, I would pick Stutzle!

[seventeen]

Jun 24, 2020 18:59:38 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Jun 24, 2020 14:40:38 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

NWT, you want to each pick who we would draft as Habs GM? Based on McKenzie's final rankings? Be good to compare who we each got 5 years from now.

I will do it tonight. Was thinking of doing it anyway as I did a similar mock using Craig’s List. This one tends to be more accurate.

Just make sure Perfetti falls to #8.

[GNick99]

Jun 24, 2020 18:59:38 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Jun 24, 2020 14:40:38 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

NWT, you want to each pick who we would draft as Habs GM? Based on McKenzie's final rankings? Be good to compare who we each got 5 years from now.

I will do it tonight. Was thinking of doing it anyway as I did a similar mock using Craig’s List. This one tends to be more accurate.

I did mine up a little quick. Be fun to look back on years from now, to see how we each would have done as Habs GM. Using Bob McKenzie's rankings. Here are my picks for Habs in 2020:

1-8- Holtz - I think he is best sniper in draft. At 6' 183lbs, he is not small. Shooting accuracy and puckhandling rated highest in the draft. I expected to be elite scorer. This year with Djurgardens 35-9-7-16, and WJC 7-3-2-5. I predict he will be only a slight notch below Markus Naslund and Peter Forsberg.

2-39- Colangelo - I took him in 3rd round with Buttons rankings. Bob have him this high I wish to take him lower but take him at 39.

2-40- Cormier - Small but has the offensive vision, wheels. Needs a few year to mature, but many good defensemen have come out of the 2nd round.

2-61- Niederbach- Think I took him here in Button rankings. Injuries are a risk with him. But if he is healthy, skill is there to be one of best players in draft.

3-70- Pashin - Steal getting Pashin at 70. Never thought he would be here. He was one of best players at Hlinka Gretzky. He is small skill, but upside could be huge on him.

3-91- Nickl - For first year in the Q, he put up solid numbers. At 6'2 he has decent wheels and hands.

4-98 - Villeneuve - Big jump in goals scored this year. The offense is there, if can work on his skating could be a homerun. Was considering him in 2nd round during Button rankings.

4-101- Dmitri Ovchinnikov - Think I took him here in previous mock draft. Could be a diamond in the rough. He put up some good numbers in MHL, even got in a couple of games in K. Another young birthday gives more room to work.

4-105- Ronan Seeley - Another guy I took in Button rankings. Staying with him. Has a good plus/minus with average hands and size. For 17 year old, tells me he should have hockey smarts. Seeley don't turn 18 til August. Gives a bit more room than usual to work with him.

[NWTHabsFan]

Nice picks GNick, as you will see lots of similarities in the one I did last night.

1-8: Holtz - I really like Sanderson and think he has really nice upside, but I like Holtz better as he is that elite goal scorer with size and under-rated hockey skills and IQ. He is already playing up against men and has consistently been an underager when playing on the national team. A decent sized scoring winger.

2-39: Bordeleau - A potential third generation NHLer which is pedigree that both TT and Berg really like. This year's USNDT suffers from following up from the best and deepest team ever. This team falls short on both top end talent and depth, but there are good players within this tier of the draft and beyond. Bordeleau is the best offensive player on the team. He drives offense on the top line and on the PP. He has a laser shot and great puck skills. He will need to get stronger, but the skills are there for this young centre. He would also be a nice PR dream for the Habs, but that is just a bonus as I am picking him here as great value at this pick.

2-40: Colangelo - After his centre Brisson, Colangelo is my #2 target from the USHL this year. A skilled big bodies winger who can score and has decent mobility for his size. He could benefit from that quicker first step, but I expect that comes as he grows into his body and works on his technique more. He is definitely a big target of mine with one of these two early seconds.

2-61: Niederbach - When a player misses all or most of his D-1 year, he tends to fly under the radar due to lack of viewings. He also has to show development in his draft year once he is healthy. Theodor did all of that, starting on his U18 club team and moving up to the U20 league and performing very well. He ended the year as a top six mainstay on the national U18 team. He scored a real beauty at the Five Nations and is also a very reliable centre in his own end. Really good value here.

3-70: Powell - An effortlessly fast skating RHD with silky stick skills who flies under the radar playing alongside his higher profile partner Sanderson on the U18 team. He does need to get stronger, but his gap control and stick work on defense are very good. He already possesses NHL quality skating and will only get better as he adds strength. The bonus is he shoots right, which also ticks some nice boxes for our prospect depth too.

3-89: Blomqvist - On Bob's list, Commesso is ranked just two spots ahead, so he could be a start of a bit of a goalie run. I really want a goalie with our multiple picks and the big Finn is one of the best in this draft. He has been solid with the national team, splitting duties in winning the Five Nations in February. He has decent size and is solid technically and Finland just develops really good goalies.

4-98: Villeneuve - He lead the Q is defensive scoring this season. He is right handed and plays well in both end. Just needs to get his technical side of his skating to get a much more efficient stride.

4-101: Seeley - Another smooth skating defender whom the Habs would have seen a lot of this year while tracking Fonstad and Fairbrother. His stock has been rising and with some graduations this season, he should get even more exposure. One of my targets for sure at this point in the draft as I think he has good upside.

4-104: Goncalves - Yup, and another Everett player. He is a second year eligible, but he went from one goal to 33 this season. He has decent height, but does need to fill out and add strength. His skating has improved and his hockey IQ and skills are very solid and have improved drastically this year. He also drives the play and has the ability to find seams and open areas, which has lead to his big offensive and goal scoring massive leap upwards. A very good two way centre at this point of the draft. I do also like GNick's pick of Ovchinnikov, but I am hoping he might be there at 132 while I expect Goncalves should be gone.

[Willie Dog]

If we draft Bordelaeu, I hope I get to hear

Bordeleau

[folatre]

Colangelo is not generating much variance across some major ranking sources -- 36th on Button's list and 41st on both Bob's and The Hockey News', so he seems like a kid that most people see solidly as early second round. I think that he would be nice player thinking three or four years down the road (a couple seasons at Northeastern, one in the AHL).

[folatre]

Well, if the Habs lose to the Penguins, Montreal is picking #1 (12.5 percent) or #9 (87.5 percent).

And then there is also the possibility that Montreal passes through the play-in round and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In that event, it is a near lock the Habs would pick 16th.

[Willie Dog]

If we get Lafreniere itll mean were stuck with MB and CJ for another 8 years

[NWTHabsFan]

Jun 26, 2020 19:37:52 GMT -5 folatre said:

Well, if the Habs lose to the Penguins, Montreal is picking #1 (12.5 percent) or #9 (87.5 percent).

And then there is also the possibility that Montreal passes through the play-in round and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In that event, it is a near lock the Habs would pick 16th.

Yeah, I am gearing up for a ninth pick. Not terrible, as the top 8-11 is still a top tier. I am a bigger fan of Sanderson than most, but he could just as easily go before us. Did I mention that this is a defensive void draft at the top end? A team ahead of us could pounce on Sanderson for sure. I still think we end up with a top tier forward. We need them.

[GNick99]

Jun 25, 2020 11:40:23 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Nice picks GNick, as you will see lots of similarities in the one I did last night.

1-8: Holtz - I really like Sanderson and think he has really nice upside, but I like Holtz better as he is that elite goal scorer with size and under-rated hockey skills and IQ. He is already playing up against men and has consistently been an underager when playing on the national team. A decent sized scoring winger.

2-39: Bordeleau - A potential third generation NHLer which is pedigree that both TT and Berg really like. This year's USNDT suffers from following up from the best and deepest team ever. This team falls short on both top end talent and depth, but there are good players within this tier of the draft and beyond. Bordeleau is the best offensive player on the team. He drives offense on the top line and on the PP. He has a laser shot and great puck skills. He will need to get stronger, but the skills are there for this young centre. He would also be a nice PR dream for the Habs, but that is just a bonus as I am picking him here as great value at this pick.

2-40: Colangelo - After his centre Brisson, Colangelo is my #2 target from the USHL this year. A skilled big bodies winger who can score and has decent mobility for his size. He could benefit from that quicker first step, but I expect that comes as he grows into his body and works on his technique more. He is definitely a big target of mine with one of these two early seconds.

2-61: Niederbach - When a player misses all or most of his D-1 year, he tends to fly under the radar due to lack of viewings. He also has to show development in his draft year once he is healthy. Theodor did all of that, starting on his U18 club team and moving up to the U20 league and performing very well. He ended the year as a top six mainstay on the national U18 team. He scored a real beauty at the Five Nations and is also a very reliable centre in his own end. Really good value here.

3-70: Powell - An effortlessly fast skating RHD with silky stick skills who flies under the radar playing alongside his higher profile partner Sanderson on the U18 team. He does need to get stronger, but his gap control and stick work on defense are very good. He already possesses NHL quality skating and will only get better as he adds strength. The bonus is he shoots right, which also ticks some nice boxes for our prospect depth too.

3-89: Blomqvist - On Bob's list, Commesso is ranked just two spots ahead, so he could be a start of a bit of a goalie run. I really want a goalie with our multiple picks and the big Finn is one of the best in this draft. He has been solid with the national team, splitting duties in winning the Five Nations in February. He has decent size and is solid technically and Finland just develops really good goalies.

4-98: Villeneuve - He lead the Q is defensive scoring this season. He is right handed and plays well in both end. Just needs to get his technical side of his skating to get a much more efficient stride.

4-101: Seeley - Another smooth skating defender whom the Habs would have seen a lot of this year while tracking Fonstad and Fairbrother. His stock has been rising and with some graduations this season, he should get even more exposure. One of my targets for sure at this point in the draft as I think he has good upside.

4-104: Goncalves - Yup, and another Everett player. He is a second year eligible, but he went from one goal to 33 this season. He has decent height, but does need to fill out and add strength. His skating has improved and his hockey IQ and skills are very solid and have improved drastically this year. He also drives the play and has the ability to find seams and open areas, which has lead to his big offensive and goal scoring massive leap upwards. A very good two way centre at this point of the draft. I do also like GNick's pick of Ovchinnikov, but I am hoping he might be there at 132 while I expect Goncalves should be gone.

We had many picks the same NWT. lol A lot of noise to take Sanderson, but with 2 goals in 19 games this season. I just don't see the offense for a #1 d-man. Get the vibe he is a #2 on a better season, a #3 NHL caliber defenseman on most seasons. I would rather have the offense of a first line goal scorer.

[GNick99]

Jun 26, 2020 19:37:52 GMT -5 folatre said:

Well, if the Habs lose to the Penguins, Montreal is picking #1 (12.5 percent) or #9 (87.5 percent).

And then there is also the possibility that Montreal passes through the play-in round and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In that event, it is a near lock the Habs would pick 16th.

If we end up 9th, I would consider trading down. Unless somebody slides. Because between Lundell, Sanderson, Askarov, Quinn there is a drop in talent.

If we end up 16th, guys like Zary, Bourque, Jarvis I like,

[folatre]

I have a feeling that Sanderson goes at #7 to the Devils. For me trading down out of the #9 hole may not advisable in this draft because there is a drop-off after the first 9-10 skaters.

If Sanderson goes in the top eight, then it is lock that among that Rossi, Raymond, Perfetti and Holtz cannot all be off the board by the time Montreal picks. One of those four kids would still be available.

[folatre]

Who are the Kings going to pick -- Byfield or Stutzle?

I know Yzerman went with a d-man in the top ten last draft, but it seems likely if Byfield and Stutzle are not there then Drysdale makes the most sense. Or could he trade down to accumulate assets and try to position the Wings to select Askarov?

Is Dorion at #5 likely to lean in the direction of Rossi? After all, realistically Rossi is one of the very few kids who would be ready to play in the NHL and who also happens to have that connection to Ottawa.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jun 27, 2020 5:40:53 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

Jun 26, 2020 19:37:52 GMT -5 folatre said:

Well, if the Habs lose to the Penguins, Montreal is picking #1 (12.5 percent) or #9 (87.5 percent).

And then there is also the possibility that Montreal passes through the play-in round and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In that event, it is a near lock the Habs would pick 16th.

If we end up 9th, I would consider trading down. Unless somebody slides. Because between Lundell, Sanderson, Askarov, Quinn there is a drop in talent.

If we end up 16th, guys like Zary, Bourque, Jarvis I like,

I still think we would get a shot at either Sanderson, a top forward like Holtz if Sanderson goes top eight (I think it is quite likely now) and a great goal scorer like Quinn. I am very strongly hoping for one of the top forwards to fall out of the top eight. I think there are good chances it happens still.

I can live with those available at 16, but I still would like a shot at a better forward. The problem with picking 16th is all our other own draft picks fall 8 spots. A lot of decent prospects can slip through your fingers between 8 picks, especially in the first few rounds.