Kotkaniemi is 5 on Mackenzie's list. He's a future 1c apparently.
- karlssens

I understand that, but still doesn't solve who the hell will score the goals on the team.

Also, he's not consensus 3rd anymore. 5 scouts out of the 10 had him outside the top 5.
- karlssens

lol, his right-hand grip strength wasnt up to snuff...

I understand that, but still doesn't solve who the hell will score the goals on the team.
- nords21

Having a good C will help everyone around.

I understand that, but still doesn't solve who the hell will score the goals on the team.
- nords21

IF there are lots of empty nets, Domi +Patches = goals forever!

IF there are lots of empty nets, Domi +Patches = goals forever!
- Mashadar

Gonna create some friction with Pacioretty if you steal his EN goals. He will be sent out like PK if you show him up.

Gonna create some friction with Pacioretty if you steal his EN goals. He will be sent out like PK if you show him up.
- nords21

Competition brings out the best in people.

I understand that, but still doesn't solve who the hell will score the goals on the team.
- nords21

Well Patioretty is a goal scorer, Gallagher can score goals, you have lots of cap space for a FA or two.. Montreal would be smart to take a guy like Kotkaniemi who has 1C upside.

Having a good C will help everyone around.
- deadpoulet

Yup. His points as a 17 year old in a men's league is crazy. Meanwhile, a prospect like Boqvist who couldnt even make his mens team is so highly regarded? Makes no sense.

Well Patioretty is a goal scorer, Gallagher can score goals, you have lots of cap space for a FA or two.. Montreal would be smart to take a guy like Kotkaniemi who has 1C upside.
- karlssens

Gallagher will have broken down before Kotkaniemi is NHL ready.

Gallagher will have broken down before Kotkaniemi is NHL ready.
- jugkope

The draft is not about next season.

If they have to suck next season, let them suck.

The draft is not about next season.

If they have to suck next season, let them suck.
- deadpoulet

I'm aware it's not about next season, but saying the Habs have Gallagher and Pacioretty to score goals so they can draft the center is shortsighted, which is the point I'm trying to make.

I'm aware it's not about next season, but saying the Habs have Gallagher and Pacioretty to score goals so they can draft the center is shortsighted, which is the point I'm trying to make.
- jugkope

If Zadina is clearly the best player available, yeah, draft him. But is he? At this point, it's not clear.

If Zadina is clearly the best player available, yeah, draft him. But is he? At this point, it's not clear.
- deadpoulet

1 and 2 seem to be a lock, based on scouting reports. 3-8 or so seem fairly close, so pick you biggest need it talent wise, there is not much of a difference.

If Zadina is clearly the best player available, yeah, draft him. But is he? At this point, it's not clear.
- deadpoulet

The best player available is Tkachuk.

1 and 2 seem to be a lock, based on scouting reports. 3-8 or so seem fairly close, so pick you biggest need it talent wise, there is not much of a difference.
- Mashadar

This is kind of where I was going, yeah.

Zadina is clearly the number 3. Mock drafts are already taking into account what teams need (Montreal a C, Ottawa a RHD) but I think Zadina will go top 4 anyways.

Maybe he can buy a neck
- Fredobbface

Zadina is clearly the number 3. Mock drafts are already taking into account what teams need (Montreal a C, Ottawa a RHD) but I think Zadina will go top 4 anyways.
- DutchSenators

Habs need GM, AGM, Scouts, C, LW, RW, RHD and LHD

Habs need GM, AGM, Scouts, C, LW, RW, RHD and LHD
- Symba007

So they'll draft 10 goalies

https://www.thefourthperi...rade-season-is-picking-up

“I’ve talked to Bergevin about this and he’s said, ‘no one will trade me a No.1 or No.2 center. If you have them, you’ve (got to draft) them.’

He has tried desperately to trade for a center. And he could overpay for a centre, but I think he thinks there’s a couple of centres he likes in this draft and he should be able to move down from where he is (third overall pick) and get one of the guys he likes. I think that’s the way he is going to address it and he hopes that player can play right away. I’m not sure either of the top two centres (in this draft) will play (in the NHL) this year.”

Could be interesting if we see Domi as a centre this year. It may end up like Drouin, but oh well...

TRADE: The #Sens have acquired forward Mikkel Boedker, defenceman Julius Bergman and a sixth-round choice in the 2020 NHL Draft from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Mike Hoffman, Cody Donaghy and Ottawa’s fifth-round pick in 2020: https://ottsens.com/2tjpvkx

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/bernstein/trade-season-is-picking-up



Could be interesting if we see Domi as a centre this year. It may end up like Drouin, but oh well...
- deadpoulet

I read that article yesterday, thats Brian Burke saying this right?

Projected MTL Picks from the Hockey Writers (FWIW):

3) Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C/LW, Finland, Assat)
35) Nicolas Beaudin (LHD, Canada, Drummondville QMJHL)
38) Kevin Bahl (LHD, Canada, Ottawa OHL)
56) Niklas Nordgren (RW, Finland, HIFK Liiga)
62) Philipp Kurashev (C, Switzerland, Quebec QMJHL)
66) Olivier Rodrigue (G, Canada, Drummondville QMJHL)
97) Curtis Douglas (C, Canada, Windsor OHL)
102) Ryan O’Reilly (C, USA, Madison USHL)
122) Gabriel Fortier (C/W, Canada, Baie-Comeau QMJHL)
128) Justin Ducharme (LW, Acadie-Bathurst QMJHL)

TOTAL: 10 (5 C, 2 LHD, 1 RW, 1 G, 1 LW)
- Mashadar

Yes!! We're finally getting O'Reilly

Habs need GM, AGM, Scouts, C, LW, RW, RHD and LHD
- Symba007

Meh.

Kotkaniemi is 5 on Mackenzie's list. He's a future 1c apparently.
- karlssens

More like : "He hopefully will become a 2c".