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Let's Talk About The 2018 Draft. What Should The Habs Do? Draft or Trade? |
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The Montreal Canadiens were pretty busy last week but after a plethora of firings, hirings, and a signing we are left waiting for any shred of news to consume and dissect.
Unfortunately, I feel like I’m watching a tumble weed stroll across my newsfeeds right now so I will have to take matters into my own hands for a little bit here.
Aside from a fan revolt from the incessant whining and Habs-hate articles from those in the professional media paid to cover the Canadiens there hasn’t been much to chat about. Aside from speculation regarding the draft, new hirings, and of course finding the right incantations to recite daily to ensure John Tavares signs a Montreal Canadiens contract.
It’s really all we would have to chat about until some actual news comes along so it seems fitting to start with the draft.
WHAT SHOULD THE HABS DO WITH 3RD OVERALL?
The poll I’ve posted above includes a name that some may believe isn’t going to be available at #3 and thats A Svechnikov. I included Svechnikov because the surprise winner of the draft Carolina Hurricanes already have a talented Czech in their system in Martin Necas. That could mean the scouting team in Carolina has put a big spotlight on Necas’s fellow countryman and sniper Filip Zadina.
The draft always has surprises and I think it’s entirely possible the Hurricane’s could provide the first one and take Zadina at 2nd overall. With that in mind, I had to add the possibility of the Canadiens having a shot at Svechnikov as well. The question becomes more of a: Who Would You Rather… with regards to the consensus 2/3.
Of course there is the possibility of the Canadiens providing the first big surprise of the draft and pass on the scoring wingers and going straight for the next best defenseman instead. That defenseman looks to be Quinn Hughes who’s recent showing at the IIHF World Championships shows that he is more than capable of playing with the pro’s already.
I also think E Bouchard will be a stud D man of the future, but Hughes is electric, offensive, and plays the game the right way. He is a player that is built for the new NHL and he could be the next Werenski-type player to come out of the fantastic Michigan Wolverines program.
We have to acknowledge as well that the Canadiens could also deal the 3rd overall pick away for immediate help/more picks. I don’t want to see this happen unless its bringing in a player like Draisaitl or Dubois to center the first line, but it could happen. It likely won’t happen (trading the pick) but never say never right?
There have also been a loud call for the Canadiens throw collective thought out the window and take a player slated to go in the 5-10 pick range. Players like B Tkachuk, H Kotkeniemi, E Bouchard and one of my favorites of the draft O Wahlstrom. There can be valid reasons to draft any of them but it should include trading down if that’s the case rather than reaching at #3.
Some see Tkachuk and Kotkeniemi as top 6 C’s of the future, but when you compare their respective numbers to current NHL’ers from the same systems its more likely that they could be 2nd line players rather than first line centers. Of course there is no way for me to conclusively tell you what they would be as their development is up to them to realize, but based on production, the trend isn’t 1st line as of now and that’s my only concern with taking them at #3.
Players like Svechnikov and Zadina came into their respective junior clubs and dominated, especially in the area Montreal is desperate for improvement: scoring goals. Their ability to create and finish is needed to fully maximize the abilities of Drouin and Galchenyuk.
The other two, Wahlstrom and Bouchard, could end up being the top 10 “sleepers”.
Bouchard was exceptional for a sub par London Knights squad and it’s difficult to ignore defencemen who score 25 G and add 62 A in 67 games. I personally see Bouchard trending in a way that makes me think of the Flyers I Provorov.
Wahlstrom is another player that will fall into the lap of a lucky team after the top 5 are picked and they should be laughing all the way to the Goals For column. Wahlstrom looks to be a tireless, gifted goal scorer but he doesn’t get the attention because he’s been lining up with the likely 1st overall pick in 2019, Jack Hughes. Still, I wouldn’t be too upset if the Habs landed him either after he put up 48 G and 46 A in 62 in the USDP. His shots per game in his league rank up there with Eichel and Matthews.
Concerns about his linemates simply tells me Wahlstrom can thrive with excellent talent and that makes him very valuable to me. When you see the types of goals he has scored you notice he can score all types of goals from all areas and that is definitely a good thing.
I think some could compare him to B Boeser in Vancouver at this point in that he will shoot a lot and because of his speed and power he will score a lot. With a set up man like Drouin, Wahlstrom could be a dream add but the same could be said about Svechnikov/Zadina.
With that I’ll end this draft talk write up. I welcome you to join some of the conversations I have on Twitter by following me @BrandonSmillie . The comments section here became a bit out of control (I was told, didn’t read it, won’t read it) on my last write up so remember to not succumb to becoming the faceless negative/disrespectful person the internet easily can allow us to become. Be the change you wan’t to see and be better. Or not, your call and yours alone, but it’s probably better if we all were a bit more respectful to one another.
*Immediately senses someone commenting to tell me to “Shove it Smillie”*
Go Habs Go!
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