After listening to the Timmins interview I think Kotnaniemi will be the pick.
After listening to the Timmins interview I think Kotnaniemi will be the pick.
The difference is Kotkaniemi played his draft year and he won’t play in the NHL at 18.
Honestly, as of now, drafting Kotkaniemi third overall as a bad skater and already an ACL surgery is a big risk i'm not willing to take even though Timmins said it was an non-issue. That freaking surgery is like the Tommy John of the NHL. Hard to come back 100% and even harder to be faster/stronger than before..
A center in the NHL needs to have speed in his tools, if not, he's gonna be like McCarron chasing the play, always late.
High risk high reward for Kotkaniemi now with that info. Not willing to roll the dices with him at third now..
Ca he play in the AHL?
I believe if a player played in Europe (not the CHL or NCAA) and is drafted they can play in the AHL. With Lefebvre at the helm, I would be against that but with Bouchard I would be ok with it.I think he can play in the AHL next season since he played in Europe last season but I'm 100% sure but someone will likely confirm if he can or can't but I believe he can.
He said it’s not only about the BPA, it’s a combination of things including position. I believe he is going to be the picAfter doing some modest research, I hope he is.
Reading that scouts believe there’s 50 1st round caliber players in this draft makes me ecstatic to think about what this draft can do for our prospect pool.
They say that every year.
This is not a strong draft! Pretty poor imo.
It's pretty poor C wise, but otherwise it is pretty strong in D/W.
I hope we tank to hell next year.Every experts are saying next year draft is LOADED with good center.
Why would we "reach", even though i agree it's not a big reach, with Kotkaniemi who is the only center in top 10-12, while we could take the BPA either a winger or D-man.
We will have a lot more center to choose in next year top 10. Yes, i predict we're gonna tank!
I don't buy Kotkaniemi has the BPA at three.
ACL? Didn't know that. Timmins better be positive it won't affect him.
Ca he play in the AHL?
ACL? Didn't know that. Timmins better be positive it won't affect him.
MAG has a new article up on The Athletic discussing buzz as to who the Habs have in mind for their selection.
They have it listed as followed:
Kotkaniemi - 55%
Tkachuk - 20%
Zadina - 14%
Dobson - 5%
Bouchard - 4%
Hughes - 2%
Dobson and Bouchard are “practically neck and neck” in the estimation of the Habs scouting staff, according to people MAG talked to.
They should either take Zadina or the best defenseman after Dahlin with the pick. Reaching for a center is not the play here. They'll still be a lottery team next year and next year's draft is deep with centers.