Habs Fan in Edmonton

Regarding the Flames pick it has become simpler to figure out as the Flames pick won't be 20-32 this year and the Panthers 2024 1st rounder will transfer to Philly this year. Basically for next year it comes down to the following: 1) if the Calgary and Florida picks are both outside the top 10 then we get the better of the picks 2) if Calgary's pick is inside the top 10 but Florida's is not then we get the Florida pick Ideally they both tank next year.

I wouldn't be surprised either, assuming he is still available. Iginla has been one of the fastest risers in the draft. Habs are only 3 points behind the Flames although Calgary has one of the easiest remaining schedules but that doesn't always mean anything.

Interesting, I really think Iginla will go higher than a lot of people think. The Canadian has already met Tij Iginla four times, according to Stéphane Gonzalez - Dose.ca Again, my dream is that we are able to get Lindstrom/Demidov with our 1st pick and trade the Winnipeg pick plus, plus to move up and get Iginla.

Actually Carolina might be interested in picks, they have a ridiculous amount of UFA's and FA's. Can they keep both Necas and Jarvis if they want to resign Guentzel?

Agree on those points. The Dach and Newhook trades caught everyone by surprise. We certainly need help up front, nobody here would argue that.

Perhaps, not sure who they would target. I would like to see them move up in the draft using that pick and other assets but that rarely happens.

That really is abysmal, Max Domi with the 3rd best season since 2000??? We really need another stud forward in this draft. Go Nick!!!

I tend to agree, there is an opportunity to draft an elite pairing defensemen if the forward they want are gone by the time they draft at likely 6, or 7. I think of a guy like Dickinson as "Guhle plus" although many would argue we are strong already at LD. I would rather they get the forward they want but can you imagine a LD for the next 10-12 years of Dickinson, Guhle and Xhekaj? That would be phenomenal. They can trade the other LD prospects to fill in gaps.

That would be a dream scenario.

It's early but look who is leading the OHL in playoff scoring. Maybe that will put a certain "ticked off" poster in a better mood. OHL 2024 Playoffs Official Statistics (chl.ca)

Commandant, who do you like in the 23-25 range should Montreal keep the Winnipeg pick and that's where it falls? I would like to see Montreal trade up using that pick as part of a package as the "consensus" seems to be that the top 13 or 14 are really strong this year. Your thoughts on that? Thanks

Helenius will get a lot of eyes on him at the U18's coming up in Finland. How he performs there will likely play a big factor in his final draft rankings by teams.

Florian with a Gordie Howe hat trick tonight (goal, assist, fight) but they are losing 4-3 late in the game.

That's not true, Mailloux is developing nicely there, Roy was having a good year in Laval until his call up and Reinbacher is there now. Also Arber spent a chunk of time there. The Habs obviously see Laval as a place to develop.

I agree on the impact forward, when I say "secondary" scoring I was being perhaps a little too general, we do need another impact forward, no question about that. The draft will be very interesting as I wonder if they will take a defensemen if the forwards they want are gone. I would love to see them use the Winnipeg pick to trade up and maybe get one of each.

That will come but part of me couldn't give a crap whether he gets respect on TSN (Toronto Sports Network) or not. He is a good goalie. I really like what is building here, goaltending is coming along, the young defense is only going to get better. As we have discussed and we almost all agree on, just need more secondary scoring.

Ottawa beating Winnipeg in regulation is a positive double whammy. It puts the Sens 2 points up on the Habs and continues to knock Winnipeg down. Toronto is only a point behind Winnipeg now.

It was a stupid play by Guhle, very surprised he did this. I think a 2 game suspension is coming.

Agreed, not suggesting the Habs do this as they have no idea where the pick their could fall in 2025. Jarvis is in a good position, only 22, picked a good time to have an excellent year.

That is probably true, now if a team offered him 6M would they match? It might be worth it for a team if they had cap room and that 1st round pick was a late one. Carolina has some tough decisions to make.

Agreed, they will likely give him another year but they have a lot of tough decisions to make.

That makes more sense. The Canes have a lot of tough decisions to make, a lot of UFA's, plus Jarvis and Necas will/should be getting substantial raises. Maybe some team should entice Jarvis or Necas with a 1 year contract at 6.1Million/year? Jarvis in particular should be getting a massive raise, 28 goals and 32 assists in 74 games and only making 894,000, hmmm.... Surely Jarvis will get a bump to at least 4m (likely higher) as the compensation up to 4.1M is only a 2nd round pick. Carolina would have to match.

Yes, is 12 years x 835,000/yr of dead cap space worth a pick in the 26 - 32 range? I just don't see Carolina giving up on him yet. He has had a brutal year though, after a hot start he has basically 13 points in his last 60 games. It sure went downhill fast for him. Not sure what's going on, his confidence must be shot right now.

Good analysis, McDavid did score 64 last year so he can certainly do both. Matthews is obviously a great shooter but it just seems to me that there is something lacking in his game that never seems to get pointed out. A pure shooter.

He is incredible, he has 60 more assists than Matthews. They say the mark of a great player is that they make those around them better. McDavid does that. Now Matthews is an incredible shooter but does he make those around him better? It seems like 35 assists is not that impressive when you are a center and always surrounded by talented linemates.