News Article: Friedman's 31 Thoughts: Habs Draft, Pacioretty, Jack Johnson & Mark Hunter

[Adam Michaels]

Friedman's latest 31 Thoughts was published earlier today. He had a few things regarding Montreal. Here is the link if you wish to read the entire thing: 31 Thoughts: Is Vegas thinking about re-visiting Erik Karlsson deal? - Sportsnet.ca

13. If Carolina decides to stay put, the draft starts with Montreal. GM Marc Bergevin is looking for centres and defencemen, telling anyone who will ask that the players they need are only available here.

We’ve all heard the rumours about his interest in Finnish centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi, but there are teams who believe he’s really interested in one of the top blue-liners. So he’s got everyone guessing, which is the idea. If Bergevin wishes, he can trade down a little and still get what he wants.

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14. I do think Montreal is a stealth destination for unrestricted free-agent-to-be Jack Johnson.

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15. There were reports Montreal began some preliminary discussions with
Max Pacioretty, who is one season away from unrestricted free agency. There’s a serious sense that those brief discussions are being prompted by other teams curious to hear what the winger is looking for on an extension.

A sign-and-trade makes a lot of sense for the Canadiens, too, as cost certainty makes him more valuable. Technically, he can’t sign a new contract until July 1, but there can be a “nudge, nudge, wink, wink” verbal agreement.

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29. Mark Hunter, involved in almost as many rumours, has been linked to Detroit, Montreal and the Islanders. We’ll see. He’s (officially) unavailable until July 15.

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[PhysicX]

So... Chances are we won't be drafting the best player available? I'm not a fan of what I've been reading lately regarding the draft.

 

[sheed36]

So... Chances are we won't be drafting the best player available? I'm not a fan of what I've been reading lately regarding the draft.

Hopefully it's all just a smokescreen. I've said it before that I expect one of Kotkaniemi, Tkachuk, or Dobson to the Habs @ 3 and passing on Zadina will make either Ottawa or Arizona very very happy.

I just expect the worse now with Marc Bergevin running things so I'm just gonna sit back and watch the next 3+ weeks unfold in Habsland at the draft, UFA and on the trade front. I don't know if it'll be good or not but it will very likely be quite interesting to see MB try and fix this mess he's created.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Didn't see the Hunter part. Can't be GM unless he low key speaks French.

 

[Tuggy]

Sign and trade is the best way to maximize Max's value.

 

[G0bias]

Why would you smokescreen with Kotkaniemi and not Zadina? Could be wrong but don't think teams would trade all the way up to 3 for him.

 

[le_sean]

So... Chances are we won't be drafting the best player available? I'm not a fan of what I've been reading lately regarding the draft.

You can make the argument that Dobson/Boqvist are BPA at 3.

I'd very much be down with Mark Hunter coming to the team. Come back to your roots!

 

[Habsddicted]

What scares me is that they might have interest in Quinn Hughes. I mean he isn't bad but he certainly isn't worthy of a 3OA and I wouldn't pick him over Dobson.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Johnson better be a stop gap type of signing and a guy we trade at the deadline for a ransom.

 

[BrendanGallagher11]

Great another slow af defenseman

Good for the tank

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Johnson better be a stop gap type of signing and a guy we trade at the deadline for a ransom.

He's not stopping much.

His offense has dried up and he sucks defensively. Guy should get 3 mill max, but will likely get around 5

 

[Runner77]

Friedman's latest 31 Thoughts was published earlier today. ...

13. If Carolina decides to stay put, the draft starts with Montreal. GM Marc Bergevin is looking for centres and defencemen, telling anyone who will ask that the players they need are only available here.

I like the sound of that provided it also means that anyone on the Habs is available. After the season they've had last year and the GM making such a big deal about how unacceptable the "attitude" of the players was since the start of the season, then there is no way the current core should be able to survive intact.

Proof positive of this is how he wasn't able to do anything to curb it -- he felt helpless in the face of it.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

He's not stopping much.

His offense has dried up and he sucks defensively. Guy should get 3 mill max, but will likely get around 5

Not sure what you mean, a stop gap is a temporary option while the kids learn. I recall that his value was around a first rounder at the deadline but CBJ wanted to keep him for their playoff run.

 

[Redux91]

Surprisingly good read this time, heh

The Jack Johnson stuff is for sure real, grew up a habs fan, ive wanted him as a hab since the first time he was traded

 

[Adam Michaels]

What scares me is that they might have interest in Quinn Hughes. I mean he isn't bad but he certainly isn't worthy of a 3OA and I wouldn't pick him over Dobson.

I wouldn't be upset with Dobson, either. But as for defensemen, I would prefer Hughes over everyone not named Dahlin.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

f*** jack johnson hes washed up

he did not learn with the alzheimer experience?

what a f***ing idiot if hes true

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

You can make the argument that Dobson/Boqvist are BPA at 3.

I'd very much be down with Mark Hunter coming to the team. Come back to your roots!

boqvist double concussion noty at 3

 

[Runner77]

boqvist double concussion noty at 3

Hey, it didn't stop us from drafting Juulsen.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Hey, it didn't stop us from drafting Juulsen.

Juulsen was not a 3rd overall

 

[Runner77]

Juulsen was not a 3rd overall

Still a first a first rounder, though.

Also, how do we know what the concussion history is for the other players in his draft tier? I imagine a lot of concussions don't even get diagnosed, nor reported based on how even the NHL with more means than the leagues where these teenagers are playing, isn't able to rely on its spotters getting deployed at the right time.

 

[EveryDay]

Could this be the reason why the OHL scout was fired? Mark Hunter know the OHL pretty well and maybe he suggest to bring his own scout?

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Still a first a first rounder, though.

Also, how do we know what the concussion history is for the other players in his draft tier? I imagine a lot of concussions don't even get diagnosed, nor reported based on how even the NHL with more means than the leagues where these teenagers are playing, isn't able to rely on its spotters getting deployed at the right time.

I mean Juulsen is a 5-6th D at best

But yeah not all concussions are listed but still , Boqvist is known to have 2 major one already and hes only 18.
Juulsen was also injured alot also.

I see him drafted around 8-11 tbh.

 

[sandviper]

Still a first a first rounder, though.

Also, how do we know what the concussion history is for the other players in his draft tier? I imagine a lot of concussions don't even get diagnosed, nor reported based on how even the NHL with more means than the leagues where these teenagers are playing, isn't able to rely on its spotters getting deployed at the right time.

It’s like mixed-martial arts and likely boxing as well. Dudes get KO’d in sparring all the time. In an actual live fight, normally athletic commissions restrict contact for a period of so if a fighter gets knocked out. However, they don’t know anything about sparring.

Would not be surprised at all if not more players have had concussions that go unreported. Heck, I got concussed myself in hockey practice because I tripped and hit my head. I mean, I’m not a pro athlete but crap like that happens in practice.

 

[sandviper]

I wouldn't be upset with Dobson, either. But as for defensemen, I would prefer Hughes over everyone not named Dahlin.

I wouldn’t be upset per se, but I’d be disappointed with Dobson. I get why people may have concerns with Boqvist, who is my first choice, but if choosing a defenceman, Hughes is next on my list.

 

[yianik]

Could this be the reason why the OHL scout was fired? Mark Hunter know the OHL pretty well and maybe he suggest to bring his own scout?

Hunter isn't available until July 15th, or thereabouts .