Steven Hindle: Evaluating Montreal's Propsects & Draft Needs - Evaluating Montreal's Propsects & Draft Needs

If somehow luck gives the 1st overall pick, pretty obvious. Then make a deal for one more top 10 first round pick and land Galchenyuk. Dreaming I know, but it would be nice for management to show some balls and forward type thinking this off season.

As far as Gigorenko, I'd pass because of the suspect work ethic, there has been enough of that on the Habs this year alone.

Not for nothin, but it's nice to see a blog by a team other than mine having to post a draft blog in February. And to think, we still have our center coming up in Huberdeau. And a good winger next to him in Howden. And another good center in Bjugstad. Oh and a good D prospect in Petrovic. Oh and a good goalie prospect in Markstrom. Oh and...

So what I'm getting out of this is the Habs will have a high draft pick and highly ranked prospects are good so the Habs will do well to take any of them. Is that about right?

So what I'm getting out of this is the Habs will have a high draft pick and highly ranked prospects are good so the Habs will do well to take any of them. Is that about right?
- 22sedins33

Steven Hindle: Evaluating Montreal's Propsects & Draft Needs
- Evaluating Montreal's Propsects & Draft Needs
- hindlehabs

Eller is under 25...where does he fit?

didnt the habs have some 6-7 goalie playing in russia?

Forsberg will be a great pick for whoever draft him...

Let's say the Habs DO go out and land another 1st round pick. Is it wise then, to maybe pick up a good goalie prospect? I hear. There's one expected to go in the first round, but the name slips my mind...oh, wait! Malcolm Subban...that's it! Can you imagine? PK would step up his game to help his baby brother play...we can give him the time to, I don't know, properly season in the minors, instead of rushing him to the forefront? Also gives us some insulation in case Carey Price doesn't work out for us. (Not saying he won't...I personally love Carey and think he's great.)

Just a thought.

Montreal lands the number #2 pick then trades Plekanec to Columbus for the #1 overall...hahahaha

Montreal lands the number #2 pick then trades Plekanec to Columbus for the #1 overall...hahahaha
- Apocalypse71

We can only hope....

Let's say the Habs DO go out and land another 1st round pick. Is it wise then, to maybe pick up a good goalie prospect? I hear. There's one expected to go in the first round, but the name slips my mind...oh, wait! Malcolm Subban...that's it! Can you imagine? PK would step up his game to help his baby brother play...we can give him the time to, I don't know, properly season in the minors, instead of rushing him to the forefront? Also gives us some insulation in case Carey Price doesn't work out for us. (Not saying he won't...I personally love Carey and think he's great.)

Just a thought.
- Darksyde

You would want to trade up from the second round into the 20's if you wanted Subban. If the Canadiens were lucky enough to get a second top 10 pick, they wouldn't use it on Subban. That's way too early. But honestly, because of Price, I would just wait for the second round, and if a Subban or Andrei Vasilevsky, the other high end goalie prospect, are still around, then maybe add them for depth. But stocking up on talented skaters should be Montreal's priority, considering Price.

We shall see what happens.

Imagine if we somehow won the lottery .. lawlz, i wish.

nice blog, too bad Montreal's brain trust never thinks logically and with a real purpose towards the future...

year after year, this franchise just keeps spinning its wheels, just trying to make the playoffs and hope for some miracle on ice moment to happen, wake up its time to get real in montreal.

The fans can suck on it if they hate "rebuilds" its about time they got some exciting young players to carry this team forward and perhaps build some loyalty to the club, the constant turnover of players in montreal is pathetic, no wonder half the players dont play with any purpose most nights, they really arent emotionally attached to the team.

Ill take a couple of lean years to watch some young players trying to make it and grow as players, im sick of these 35 year old players on the downside of their careers trying to find some lost glory.

Bury Gomez, trade Pleks, shoot kaberle and start over. If Ottawa can make it work, surely than can too.

And why not, isnt anyone else sick of the same old????

I am, ive never felt so bad about being a fan of this team in my entire life than i do right now, it really is getting sickening.

Grigorenko is playing center but I am willing to bet that by the time he gets to the NHL he'll be a winger.

With that said for me it's Grigorenko or Forsberg or Alex Galchenyuk who i think may be #1 for me.

Hate to say it but I actually have very little interest in Yakupov.

Montreal lands the number #2 pick then trades Plekanec to Columbus for the #1 overall and Nash...hahahaha
- Apocalypse71

Fixed

Grigorenko is playing center but I am willing to bet that by the time he gets to the NHL he'll be a winger.

With that said for me it's Grigorenko or Forsberg or Alex Galchenyuk who i think may be #1 for me.

Hate to say it but I actually have very little interest in Yakupov.
- willey101

reminds me of Kostitsyn...

Let's assume montreal has only one top 10 (5) pick this year.. and let's assume that they will get whoever they want. My question to you now is, how many first line Right wings talents.. first line left wing talents, and center talents in the organization

Here is what I match up to other *Talent Level's from other teams

LW
Paci (2nd-1st)
Bourque (2nd-3rd)
Moen (3rd-4th)
Blunden (4th)
Darche (4th)

RW
Cole (2nd)
Palushaj (3rd-4th)
Gionta (2nd)
Staubitz (4th)

C
Plekanec (2nd)
Desharnais (2nd)
Gomez (2nd-3rd)
White (4th)
Nokaleinen (4th)
Geoffrion (will probs be a winger, 3rd)
Eller (2nd-1st)

First of all, there is no balance in this team what so ever.
All role players, none playing the right roles.

Im going to put the prospects who I beleive have a shot, (even slightly) at habs next year.

Left Wingers:

- Blake Geoffrion(3rd)

Right Wingers:

- Brendan Gallagher (3rd-2nd(if lucky))
- Patrick Holland (3rd)
- Aaron Palushaj (3rd-4th)

Center:

- Louis Leblanc (3rd-2nd)
- Michael Bournival (4th-3rd)

So what I see is 4.5 second line centers and 4 possible top 6 wingers, unless Gallagher, Geoffrion or Leblanc can suprise, being Gionta, Bourque, Cole and Pacioretty.

Assuming the line of Paci-Desh-Cole isnt to be tamperd with, that leaves you with the possibilty of

Bourque-Eller-Gionta
Gomez
Plekanec
Leblanc*

As your other top 6 line. Unfortunatly, but realistically, Paci-Desh-Cole is a second line in the NHL. Paci can make a push but you don't want to tamper with chemistry.

But unfortunatly, and even more realistically, Bourque is most likely a third line player whereas Gionta MAY be able to play on a first line still.. but is also a second line, breaching on third line player.

So I ask you, what is more valuable at this point in time? A forsure first line center? When you have 4 already capable 2nd line centers; Plekanec who is used to playing first line minutes and Eller who in all reality has the most natural offencive skill on the team.. or a top line winger? Because habs fans are tired of seeing Moen on the top 2 lines.

If montreal could get yakupov or forsberg to play on the first line (or second for only next year) with Eller and a winger pickup from another team for a Plekanec, Gionta, prospects.. anything really, then montreal would have a more Balanced team.

Yes, a sure top line center like Grigorenko or Galchenyuk would be nice, but unless they are crosby they won't win us anything without wingers.

*Perron-Eller-Forsberg
Paci-Desh-Cole
Bourque-Leblanc-Geoffrion
Moen-White-Blunden

Is what I would strive for if I was GM.

P.S

Your opinions on what players can play may vary, these are mine.

Random: Gomez isn't a second line player durp durp.

Think about it.

Trouba and Galchenyuk would be a dream.... I think Grigorenko is too good to pass although he scares me too ... Anyways, this is pretty much a pipe dream... since when do the habs trade up to get a top 10 pick ???

Anyways, this is pretty much a pipe dream... since when do the habs trade up to get a top 10 pick ???
- SpeedyPotato

this franchise has turned into a pipe dream, few more years of this and you could lump us in with the leafs, yes its that bad imo.

they couldnt even get a superstar for Patrick Roy, since he left town this team has been in a slow death spiral, how much longer before we can call it a curse?

i say next year, 20 yrs since the last cup win.

Too many Ds in the top 10 this year... despite what Steven is saying, i dont think the habs can afford to blow this year's selection on a d-man. It'd simply be stupid considering how many d-man there are in the system and the glaring fact that the habs are hurting for offense.

Don't forget Dustin Walsh at center.

Big guy got injured sadly but he's a guy to watch in the following years. Big bodied guy, had his best season with Big Green before that having health problems.

We have enough D prospects, Draft the best available forward.

I have a gut feeling that we'll win the lottery.

I don't agree with you by the way. We have good depth at the right wing and on D, but at LW and Center, we really lack skill.
Oh and the Goaltending pipeline is dried, but that's not too concerning considering Price.

Draft Yakupov if he's avi.

If not either Draft Grigo, Galchenyuk or Trouba, in that order.

I want nothing of Dumba, as good as he may become, we have a better version in Subban already. Trouba is more reliable defensively, bigger, more physical, and is the prototypical Timmins pick, just like Alex Galchenyuk.

I've been stating it alot in EE's thread but apparently the habs brass is scared to pick Grigorenko with a top5 pick, as per Grant McCagg, a ex habs scout, and good friend of Trevor Timmins, who also happens to be writing for TSN in their draft reviews.

AND NO FAKSA POR FAVOR.

Not for nothin, but it's nice to see a blog by a team other than mine having to post a draft blog in February. And to think, we still have our center coming up in Huberdeau. And a good winger next to him in Howden. And another good center in Bjugstad. Oh and a good D prospect in Petrovic. Oh and a good goalie prospect in Markstrom. Oh and...
- Panthers88

Huberdeau won't be a center in the NHL. Bjugstad will center him.

Howden will be a good checker and Petrovic will be reliable.

Markstrom is awesome.

One guy to watch is Kyle Rau. Small guy, but he has guts. Really liked him at WJC