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Post by streitshooter on Jun 22, 2007 22:22:19 GMT -5
Trevor T just called.
He's pretty ecstatic.
First thing he said to me was..."Did I surprise you?" Meaning not picking Espo.
I said no, what surprised me was McDonagh dropping into his lap, because I knew he liked him, and most of the scouts I talk to liked McDonagh in the top ten.
Trevor said he was just glad Espo didn't slide to 22. "I would never hear the end of it," he said if he would have passed on him again, which might well have been the case.
The Habs were trying to move up to grab McDonagh higher.
I asked him where...to the 7th spot? He said "Anywhere."
Apparently Nashville tried to move up to seven to take McDonagh.
Timmins had McDonagh in his top 5 and Pacioretty in his top ten.
"Paccioretty is a hard, hard player. Plays with an edge. An all around player. "
Projects McDonagh as a "top two" defenceman. Asked for a comparison..he said perhaps Suter in Nashville.
"We got bigger, stronger, meaner and more skilled with those picks."
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Post by Habtilla on Jun 22, 2007 23:06:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the insight.
I love the McDonagh pick. When we were on the clock, he's the guy I was hoping for. I like him mostly for what I've heard about his defensive game too (board work, one-on-one, etc., in combination with his size and skating) because you want your defensemen to be able to, you know, actually play strong defensively, but when you throw in his offensive potential, I think this guy could be a fantastic player for us (speaking as an armchair scout).
I'm a bit iffy on Pacioretty, though. I don't know much about him, though, and I actually like a lot of what I've heard (size, good skating, physical, hard worker, winner, does the little things/grunt work), but, as an amrchair scout, I just don't like the 21 goals in the USHL as a late bithday. What kind of potential does Pacioretty have? Is he going to be more of a heart and soul third liner, or does he have the potential to play on a higher line as a Shayne Corson type, or what exactly can he be?
My shortlist for the 22 pick (when we were on the clock) was Perron, Sweatt, Cross, Fortier (I love what I've hard about him, even if his offense might not translate), and K. Marshall (I really like his competitiveness), with Hjalmarsson, Killorn, Legein, Moller, Negrin, Ross, Ruth, and Tyrell rounding out the longer list. Perron and Ross are off the board now, but do you have any thoughts on who's still available and who we might (or who you would) choose tomorrow?
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Post by seventeen on Jun 23, 2007 0:21:15 GMT -5
I keep seeing 1999 in this draft. Six players out of the 1st round of 28 who are at least average NHL'rs. Havlat's the only one who might be classed as a star, with the Sedin's not too far behind. Just check the 'notables' in other rounds in the NHL guide....Mike Commodore, Niklas Hagman, Frantisek Kaberle, Niclas Havelid, Mike Comrie, Ryan Malone, Martin Erat and maybe the only real 'notable', Henrik Zetterberg. A draft to puke for. No wonder teams were throwing away their first rounders this year. Now maybe 07 won't be as bad as 99, but I wouldn't get too excited about any of the players drafted this year....yet. As Hab fans we might have a bit more to smile about as Timmins may have been involved in the Havlat choice from 99.
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Post by jkr on Jun 23, 2007 5:41:00 GMT -5
I've never seen these guys play & all I hear is the hype - especially last night with McGuire on Cherapanov.
I've seen players drop, like Esposito did, before & it is usually merited. Should be interesting to watch in the next couple of years. Wonder what it is about Esposito that the Habs don't like? His profile, however, did remind me a little of Ribiero.
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Post by turnbuckle on Jun 23, 2007 6:07:33 GMT -5
I keep seeing 1999 in this draft. Six players out of the 1st round of 28 who are at least average NHL'rs. Havlat's the only one who might be classed as a star, with the Sedin's not too far behind. Just check the 'notables' in other rounds in the NHL guide....Mike Commodore, Niklas Hagman, Frantisek Kaberle, Niclas Havelid, Mike Comrie, Ryan Malone, Martin Erat and maybe the only real 'notable', Henrik Zetterberg. A draft to puke for. No wonder teams were throwing away their first rounders this year. Now maybe 07 won't be as bad as 99, but I wouldn't get too excited about any of the players drafted this year....yet. As Hab fans we might have a bit more to smile about as Timmins may have been involved in the Havlat choice from 99. Hey - what do you know..I was able to activate my old account. Turnbuckle is back!! I don't think this is anywhere close to the '99 draft - it's a lot better. Actually I don't think it's a helluva lot worse than last year's draft. Not as strong at the top forward wise, but a better group of defencemen. Does anyone think Cherepanov would have gone in the late teens last year? Or Espo 20th? I think this year's depth is underrated.
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Post by turnbuckle on Jun 23, 2007 6:21:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the insight. I love the McDonagh pick. When we were on the clock, he's the guy I was hoping for. I like him mostly for what I've heard about his defensive game too (board work, one-on-one, etc., in combination with his size and skating) because you want your defensemen to be able to, you know, actually play strong defensively, but when you throw in his offensive potential, I think this guy could be a fantastic player for us (speaking as an armchair scout). I'm a bit iffy on Pacioretty, though. I don't know much about him, though, and I actually like a lot of what I've heard (size, good skating, physical, hard worker, winner, does the little things/grunt work), but, as an amrchair scout, I just don't like the 21 goals in the USHL as a late bithday. What kind of potential does Pacioretty have? Is he going to be more of a heart and soul third liner, or does he have the potential to play on a higher line as a Shayne Corson type, or what exactly can he be? My shortlist for the 22 pick (when we were on the clock) was Perron, Sweatt, Cross, Fortier (I love what I've hard about him, even if his offense might not translate), and K. Marshall (I really like his competitiveness), with Hjalmarsson, Killorn, Legein, Moller, Negrin, Ross, Ruth, and Tyrell rounding out the longer list. Perron and Ross are off the board now, but do you have any thoughts on who's still available and who we might (or who you would) choose tomorrow? I was pretty sure Timmins was taking either McDonagh or Shattenkirk. I have absolutely no qualms about the pick - when you can draft the top defenceman on your list...... I like the Pacciorety pick as well. As for the 43rd pick - I think Timmins will consider the following players you listed if they're available - Ruth, Sweatt, Tyrell, Hjalmarsson, Legein, Cross and Moller. There's a good chance at least one of those guys will be available. Personally I like MacLean as well...but the Habs' OHL scouts don't like him. I think they'll also consider Tangradi.
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Post by SchoonerGuy on Jun 23, 2007 6:33:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Turnbuckle. I was really hoping for McDonagh as well and I figured he was the one we were trying to trade up to #7 for. My head almost hit the ceiling after the pick as I jumped so high.
Pacioretty looks like a good pick as well. We're going to have some highly skilled big forwards in a few years. Our D looks like it could be fantastic in a few years with the likes of Markov, Komisarek (although his UFA status in two years concerns me a bit), O'Byrne, Fischer, Carle, Valentenko, McDonagh, and possibly Emelin. This is starting to look like Nashville's depth on D before losing Parent and Timonen.
By the way, the McKeen's draft guide is terrific.
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Post by turnbuckle on Jun 23, 2007 7:16:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Turnbuckle. I was really hoping for McDonagh as well and I figured he was the one we were trying to trade up to #7 for. My head almost hit the ceiling after the pick as I jumped so high. Pacioretty looks like a good pick as well. We're going to have some highly skilled big forwards in a few years. Our D looks like it could be fantastic in a few years with the likes of Markov, Komisarek (although his UFA status in two years concerns me a bit), O'Byrne, Fischer, Carle, Valentenko, McDonagh, and possibly Emelin. This is starting to look like Nashville's depth on D before losing Parent and Timonen. By the way, the McKeen's draft guide is terrific. Thanks for the kind words. I agree about the defence prospect depth - in the space of 12 months Timmins and co. have turned a weakness into a strength, and they're not done yet. Timmins had also done a decent job of adding good sized forwards prospects to the fold who should play or have played in the NHL - Lapierre, Chipchura, Lats, and Pacioretty - and hopefully he adds another today.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Jun 23, 2007 8:36:37 GMT -5
Turnbuckle - It's great to have someone with some real sources on the board.
So what do you think happened with Esposito, at least in terms of Timmins and the Habs? Is the skill level just not there or is it more of a "hockey sense" issue or character like it was with say, Eric Chouinard?
I mentioned on another thread that the issue here is how much better off are we with Pacioretty plus whoever we draft in the 3rd round than trading out of #22 plus the pick it would have cost us to land Esposito? The draft was already a huge success with McDonagh - seems the circumstances were ideal to trade up to #19 to get Espo, but like Timmins said it sounds like they wouldn't have taken him even if he was available.
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Post by Anardil1 on Jun 23, 2007 10:12:09 GMT -5
I couldn't believe that McDonagh was available at 12. I was extremely pleased that Timmins called his name. Granted, i have not seen 1 second of his play, however, when I read somewhere that his game style wise compared to Chelios, I was sold. If he develops anything like a Chelios...The Habs have their future #1 blueliner. I'm very happy. By the way, the Habs just added P.K. Subban with their 2nd round pick. Another blueliner. This guy is all offense apparently, skates like the wind... somewhat prone to brain cramps in his own zone. Not to sure about this. Turnbuckle?
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Post by Skilly on Jun 25, 2007 18:28:25 GMT -5
I'm a bit iffy on Pacioretty, though. Watching him walk up and get interviewed afterwards ... well he didnt look overly enthused IMO ... hope he turns into a good one for us, just cant shake the feeling that we misse dout on a golden opportunity in this draft.
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Post by habmeister on Jun 25, 2007 22:35:38 GMT -5
I'm a bit iffy on Pacioretty, though. Watching him walk up and get interviewed afterwards ... well he didnt look overly enthused IMO ... hope he turns into a good one for us, just cant shake the feeling that we misse dout on a golden opportunity in this draft. i hope you're wrong, would hate to see this board if angelo turns into a star and all picks after mcdonagh are busts! man wouldn't that be a happy place! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 26, 2007 0:14:32 GMT -5
Check the mock drafts out, one poster here closed his eyes and thought that both these picks were in the works. All joking aside, these did address some of the things that management has been talking about addressing. No impact this fall, but future teams will be a lot more palatable. I really think the kids will do fine. I have always worried that we have not been strong enough at the back end and that has been dealt with some really strong drafting in a "weak" draft. This was an interesting field. No guys that had a sure shot of making it in camp this fall for any team, but loads of guys who should make it down the long run. A Timmins' field day if he has played it right. Don't forget Conboy and Torp down the road. These late rounders could make it one day.
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Post by turnbuckle on Jun 26, 2007 5:33:41 GMT -5
Turnbuckle - It's great to have someone with some real sources on the board. So what do you think happened with Esposito, at least in terms of Timmins and the Habs? Is the skill level just not there or is it more of a "hockey sense" issue or character like it was with say, Eric Chouinard? I mentioned on another thread that the issue here is how much better off are we with Pacioretty plus whoever we draft in the 3rd round than trading out of #22 plus the pick it would have cost us to land Esposito? The draft was already a huge success with McDonagh - seems the circumstances were ideal to trade up to #19 to get Espo, but like Timmins said it sounds like they wouldn't have taken him even if he was available. Quite simply...Pacioretty was ahead of Espo on their draft lists...neither Trevor nor Bob were bowing to media pressure and picking Espo just because the uninformed media thought they should. Espo has decent skill but little sense and drive if you ask me. He's selfish with the puck and lacks creativity. I think his upside is 2nd liner that hurts you in his own zone; not the type of center you'll put on the ice in the last three minutes with a lead. Trevor is interested in players that can be counted on at all points in a game, players with determination and character in a addtion to skill. Not one Urquhart-type pick in the bunch.
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Post by Skilly on Jun 26, 2007 6:23:20 GMT -5
Watching him walk up and get interviewed afterwards ... well he didnt look overly enthused IMO ... hope he turns into a good one for us, just cant shake the feeling that we misse dout on a golden opportunity in this draft. i hope you're wrong, would hate to see this board if angelo turns into a star and all picks after mcdonagh are busts! man wouldn't that be a happy place! ;D ;D ;D I was talking about Cherapanov ... but like I said in the draft thread. When a team finally picked one of those two, I felt the Habs should trade up to grab the other. In hindsight, maybe deep down I wish the Habs traded up and grabbed "The Siberian Express" before he fell into the Rangers lap.
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Post by franko on Jun 26, 2007 7:14:06 GMT -5
And like I said . . . implied . . . whatever . . . we already have our quota of Kovalevs.
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Post by habmeister on Jun 26, 2007 10:49:05 GMT -5
i hope you're wrong, would hate to see this board if angelo turns into a star and all picks after mcdonagh are busts! man wouldn't that be a happy place! ;D ;D ;D I was talking about Cherapanov ... but like I said in the draft thread. When a team finally picked one of those two, I felt the Habs should trade up to grab the other. In hindsight, maybe deep down I wish the Habs traded up and grabbed "The Siberian Express" before he fell into the Rangers lap. ah ok, you do have to admit on the cherepanov front that after what has transpired this season with samsonov, then kovalev, then perezhogin and finally yemelin that the habs would be gun shy, they weren't the only ones. out of the two though, i would much rather they have taken this kid, he could be the best forward in the draft and score a ton of goals, something we lack.
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