2018 NHL Entry Draft Thread (Less then 24 Hours Edition)

[Draft]

If I'm being honest, I think the 4 2nds might make a bigger impact on this team than whoever we pick at 3.

The talent available moving into the early second is awesome and there are still players with great offensive upside ranked 60+.

 

[Habsfan18]

If I'm being honest, I think the 4 2nds might make a bigger impact on this team than whoever we pick at 3.

The talent available moving into the early second is awesome and there are still players with great offensive upside ranked 60+.

I would love if we kept all 4 2nd rounders, but I HIGHLY doubt we keep them all. Just a feeling but I’d bank on us not making all four.

 

[Saxon]

We have the depth already... we got Poehling, Danault, DLR, McCarron, Evans, Ikonen, Vejdemo... you add Vilardi, you don't force a pick. If Kotkaniemi is the top guy then fine, but I think Zadina just makes a whole lot more sense at that point.

How can people crap on Kotkaniemi's skating but want Vilardi?

 

[hawkeerox]

They're not on the list.

Those three guys will get picked up far before half the guys on your list - not sure why you value them so much lower than NHL scouts, but hey that's the fun of creating your own list within your own parameters, yes?

Thing is, what if Montreal takes Veleno?!? The weeping and gnashing of teeth on this thread will be something! I'm hoping for you guys that they don't take him (or McBain or Groulx...)

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

How can people crap on Kotkaniemi's skating but want Vilardi?

Vilardi has more of a style that can work without great skating. Kotkaniemi is a guy you hope improves his skating in order to reach his potential.

 

[Andrei79]

Vilardi has more of a style that can work without great skating.

Elaborate.

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

We have the depth already... we got Poehling, Danault, DLR, McCarron, Evans, Ikonen, Vejdemo... you add Vilardi, you don't force a pick. If Kotkaniemi is the top guy then fine, but I think Zadina just makes a whole lot more sense at that point.

McCarron, Ikonen and Vejdemo are non factors for me. Evans and JDLR are depth pieces. If Vilardi, Poehling and Kotkaniemi were to pan out then Danault can be used to acquire a good winger. Better to have too many good centres than not enough.

Kotkaniemi is also my #3 prospect so its just BPA for me anyway. If I wanted a sniper bad enough I would go Wahlstrom.

 

[Saxon]

Vilardi has more of a style that can work without great skating. Kotkaniemi is a guy you hope improves his skating in order to reach his potential.

Thats what Dal Colle said.... I've watched him live quite a few times, he even looks slow against Junior players, doesn't seem physically involved, looks uninterested.... Then you look at the score sheet and he has three points lol. Kotkaniemi is physically ingaged, always flying around and involved. I really don't see why Vilardi gets a pass....at all. Maybe Vilardi's not challenged enough in Junior and he's bored, but man... It doesn't look good.

 

[Draft]

I would love if we kept all 4 2nd rounders, but I HIGHLY doubt we keep them all. Just a feeling but I’d bank on us not making all four.

With the amount of wheeling and dealing Bergevin has to do, I'm sure you're right. They're good currency this time of year.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Thats what Dal Colle said.... I've watched him live quite a few times, he even looks slow against Junior players, doesn't seem physically involved, looks uninterested.... Then you look at the score sheet and he has three points lol. Kotkaniemi is physically ingaged, always flying around and involved. I really don't see why Vilardi gets a pass....at all. Maybe Vilardi's not challenged enough in Junior and he's bored, but man... It doesn't look good.

I've seen Vilardi get on his horse when he needs to... but when I look at Vilardi, I see a guy who's got elite size/strength, elite skill, and just always knows where to be.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Imagine them picking Beaudin with Alexeyev, Ylonen, Berggren on the board.

I really can't see the Habs passing on Alexeyev at all.

Besides our western scout seems decent enough. Last 4 drafts: Brook, Walford, Fleury, Tyzska, Juulsen, Scherbak & Lernout. 6D out of 7 picks too.

 

[Andrei79]

I've seen Vilardi get on his horse when he needs to... but when I look at Vilardi, I see a guy who's got elite size/strength, elite skill, and just always knows where to be.

That's not much of an elaboration.

For example, I could say JK's translates better because not only does he have that skill and IQ, and sad as it is - is more mobile, but instead of stength he has a higher compete and keeps giving 2nd efforts. Two very translatable attributes in the pros.


But really, your issue is that he's a "reach".

Nevermind that he's actually not amongst scouts anymore, why did you yourself, just few weeks ago, give the Jets as an example of a team that didn't regret " reaching" for a player like Scheifele.

There's no consistency there.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

That's not much of an elaboration.

For example, I could say JK's translates better because not only does he have that skill and IQ, and sad as it is - is more mobile, but instead of stength he has a higher compete and keeps giving 2nd efforts. Two very translatable attributes in the pros.


But really, your issue is that he's a "reach".

Nevermind that he's actually not amongst scouts anymore, why did you yourself, just few weeks ago, give the Jets as an example of a team that didn't regret " reaching" for a player like Scheifele.

There's no consistency there.

I'm allowed to like different players more lol

I see special abilities in Vilardi. Kotkaniemi has great passing, but Vilardi has rare hockey IQ, dude just knows where to be before anyone else does, and his strength is tremendous... as his skill. He's a tremendous prospect.

I'd also say Vilardi is more agile than Kotkaniemi, the way he can spin and control the puck is very impressive for a big man.

 

[Mrb1p]

Not a fan of Alexeyev, rather have Beaudin honestly. The rest, I'd go crazy.

Thats a first

 

[The Great Weal]

Thats a first

Too russian for moi

 

[Mrb1p]

So if we managed to trade Pacioretty for Vilardi, would you guys still want Kotkaniemi at 3?

Yes, Kotkaniemi is better than Zadina

 

[WinterLion]

Svechnikov will be the Hurricanes pick…

That's from 2 weeks ago.

 

[Deam78]

Thats a first

Wheeler has Beaudin at 34 and Alexeyev at 47.
Button has Beaudin at 20 and Alexeyev at 51.

So definitely not a first.

For me I just don't see his offense being a factor enough and translate well in the NHL. And the time of the big bad defensive d man is over. I'd pick Beaudin before him any day.

 

[Mrb1p]

Wheeler has Beaudin at 34 and Alexeyev at 47.
Button has Beaudin at 20 and Alexeyev at 51.

So definitely not a first.

For me I just don't see his offense being a factor enough and translate well in the NHL. And the time of the big bad defensive d man is over. I'd pick Beaudin before him any day.

Alex is like, 25 times more skilled than Beaudin, though. So on top of being a lot bigger, stronger, mobile, hes also more toolsy and probably just as smart a player. Alexeyev wouldve had better stats had he not injured himself, as shown by his PO production.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

Elaborate.

Thornton is no blazer, for example...

He might have been thinking of others.

If a guy can protect the puck well, has some size and sturdiness, and has great vision etc...

-- not that I'm in the Vilardi camp..,

 

[Omar]

It’s possible we draft in the first round 3 times tomorrow: our 3rd, a 1st from the Patches trade, and a trade up using two 2nd rounders.

 

[Deam78]

Alex is like, 25 times more skilled than Beaudin, though. So on top of being a lot bigger, stronger, mobile, hes also more toolsy and probably just as smart a player. Alexeyev wouldve had better stats had he not injured himself, as shown by his PO production.

I don't know why you're trying to create a useless debate lol I prefer Beaudin, as do two experts. I'll take their words and my own opinion before yours.

 

[Mrb1p]

I don't know why you're trying to create a useless debate lol I prefer Beaudin, as do two experts. I'll take their words and my own opinion before yours.

Ill take my own and like thirty experts over yours?

 

[NotProkofievian]

Guys guys guys, I think we're all forgetting something here. Vilardi is North American

 

[Luigi Habs]

If I'm being honest, I think the 4 2nds might make a bigger impact on this team than whoever we pick at 3.

The talent available moving into the early second is awesome and there are still players with great offensive upside ranked 60+.

That's why I'm hoping we keep those 4 picks.