dlbalr

In terms of when the Swedish guys could possibly come over (yes, the PTA is in place with Sweden but the Habs might want to wait for their contracts to be up anyway), both Collberg and Nystrom (who I think could be a CHL Import Draft candidate) have one year left on their deals.

As most of you know already, the deadline for the Habs to send out qualifying offers is 5 PM EST tomorrow. In all likelihood they've already been sent but we won't find out who wasn't qualified until afterwards in all likelihood. The Habs have a whopping 20 players to qualify this year (including Kyle Klubertanz who was unsigned all year but has already committed to staying overseas). Assuming Montreal were to qualify and sign the other 19 RFA's, they'd be up to 49 on the 50-man contract limit before looking at UFA's or other prospects. In other words, expect quite a few to be let go. So, here's the list of RFA's, make your predictions on who gets an offer and who doesn't. Hunter Bishop Michael Blunden Andrew Conboy Raphael Diaz Lars Eller Alexei Emelin Andreas Engqvist Olivier Fortier Blake Geoffrion Kyle Klubertanz Dany Masse Mark Mitera Brendon Nash Petteri Nokelainen Aaron Palushaj Carey Price Frederic St. Denis Robert Slaney P.K. Subban Ryan White Here are my predictions: Qualified: Conboy, Diaz, Eller, Emelin, Engqvist (I think he'll sign overseas but the Habs should keep his rights), Fortier, Geoffrion, Klubertanz, Nash, Palushaj, Price (already qualified with the arbitration note), St. Denis, Subban, White Unqualified: Bishop, Blunden, Masse, Mitera, Nokelainen, Slaney Those 6 unqualified plus Engqvist going overseas and Klubertanz staying there would put Montreal at 42/50 for contracts, allowing room to sign a handful of UFA's between the NHL and AHL teams while leaving a couple of spots open (perhaps one for Galchenyuk although I'm hoping he's OHL bound next year).

A good column on Dalton Thrower: http://www.habsworld.net/out.php?15169

So every year as part of my draft prep, I sit down and make a mini list of who I think the Habs could take with each selection (all the way to the 7th round which is always a doozy to predict). If I'm lucky, I pick a player that gets drafted by the Habs once every three or four years (the last one I had right was Leblanc, before that it was Corey Locke and I guessed the wrong round). This was my list (2 players per pick plus one wildcard): 3rd overall: Galchenyuk (3rd - MTL), Murray (2nd - CBJ) 33rd overall: Thrower (51st - MTL), Bozon (64th - MTL) 51st overall: Nieves (59th - NYR), Pelech (65th - NYI) 64th overall: Hudon (122nd - MTL), Vail (94th - MTL) 94th overall: Whitney (191st - CHI), K. Roy (97th - ANA) 122nd overall: Khaira (63rd - EDM), Stolarz (45th - PHI) 154th overall: Vermin (N/D), Rauter (N/D) Wildcard: Mallet (57th - VAN) Of the 15 on my list, 5 were picked by the Habs which is beyond unprecedented for me (although only 1 was in the right spot). That was part of the reason I was particularly happy with these selections. Interestingly enough, I was way off on both guys I had in the 122 spot. Both played in lesser leagues, the BCHL and NAHL respectively, I thought they'd have slipped through the cracks but evidently not. Also trying to predict college-bound guys hurt me as the Habs didn't pick any, file that one for the memory banks when certain media folk talk about a certain stereotype we've all heard before. Something tells me I'm not going to have a list like that again...

There has long been speculation that Carle has agreed to terms on an extension already. However, because of the tagging rules, it can't be announced until the new cap comes into place next Sunday. In other news, Guillaume Latendresse will go unqualified by Minnesota. Let the speculation begin...

Don't like that deal at all for Philly, great one for the Leafs.

So, time for the overly premature grades (because it's always fun to do). I'll do one for each pick and then one for the draft in general. Galchenyuk - A (easy to say A+ but this was the obvious pick for a while now) Collberg - A (I'm not sure he's a budding superstar like some fans on other sites are making him out to be but he should be a quality NHL'er with good offensive upside) Thrower - A+ (first round talent, second round size equals a steal) Bozon - A+ (natural scorers are hard to come by especially in the 3rd round) Vail - A- (a safer pick but projects as a strong bottom six forward which is always useful for a team) Hudon - B (I like his offence but his size is a little worrisome - still a worthwhile gamble that also helps fulfill the token local 'requirement') Nystrom - C (granted, I know little about him so I'll give the standard average-ish grade) Overall - A There's lots to like about this draft class. There is some impressive offensive upside with Galchenyuk, Collberg, and Bozon while Thrower looks to be a d-man who can be pencilled into a roster for the future. I like Vail as a bottom six guy down the road (I think his offence will improve this coming year) while Hudon is an interesting wildcard. I think a goalie would've been ideal in Nystrom's spot (especially with Whitney on the board), that's my lone disappointment but when factoring in everything else, these last 24 hours should be a big stepping stone to this team getting back in the right direction.

I'm off to grab some lunch, here is the Day 2 article for HW: http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2840 If there are other picks made, I'll edit their stuff in later on (plus some biographical info and whatnot). Happy reading.

Erik Nystrom, a Swedish winger. Spent some time the SEL this year.

Whitney's still on the board, he'd be perfect here.

Gotta think they'll go with a goalie here.

NHLMockDraft.org's notes on Hudon (the review isn't slow glowing despite them ranking him 55th): "Charles Hudon’s scoring potential is evident – the kid can distribute and dangle with the best of ‘em. He can make opponents look silly with a staggering array of moves. He has a good head for the game and can back defenders off with jukes and intelligent pacing to make space to find the seams. With his diminutive frame, his modest speed is a major concern – though he is quick. His strength is a major issue as well – he’d be eaten alive in the NHL – and until he bulks up, he’d be a perimeter threat only."

It's okay to be excited, CC. I know I am.

Charles Hudon to the Habs.

Don't forget, the Habs have the first pick in the upcoming 5th round instead of their usual 3rd pick. Part of me wonders if they might try to trade down although there seems to be very little of that this year.

Athanasiou's gone while Jonas Gustafsson's rights have been dealt to the Jets.

Bozon should qualify as one even if he's not a Quebec-born player.

From the NHLMockDraft guide: "Vail’s calling-card two-way performances may be enough to justify selection in the top-sixty but it’s his offensive skillset and skating that will leave organizations debating his value. His shot is certainly solid-plus and he seems to see the ice well and understand play-development – but his distribution game is only average and he relies more on the down-low forechecking game to produce than creativity. Even with only a borderline topsix/ solid top-nine skillset he has value as an energy forward who can contribute some secondary scoring and effort for the full 200 ft."

Brady Vail it is!

By the way, I am working on the 2nd day of the draft article like I did last year. It will be up later today.

Bozon's report from NHLMockDraft.org (I like this guide....) "A point-per-game scorer in his first WHL season, French national and son of NHL stock (Philippe) Tim Bozon has solid finishing abilities along with impressive grit and determination. He’s a toolsy attacker: His skating, shot, hands, ingenuity and game-processing are all solid. He needs to work on his strength and defensive game and iron out his inconsistencies to increase his potential at the next level but he’s a very solid bet to find a position as a top-nine scorer."

I had Bozon on my shortlist at 33, to get him here is unreal. A+ draft so far. Benoit Pouliot's RFA rights dealt to Tampa Bay.

Bozon! My goodness.

From NHLMockDraft.org's guide: "Dalton Thrower’s willingness to go to war with just about any opponent is sure to entice many GMs who usually experience Pavlovian reactions to tough and talented blueliners. Gritty and physically intimidating, Thrower is mobile with some modest offensive upside. He should be an average middlepairing distributor/puck-mover and see spot time on a second-unit powerplay. Still, in terms of pure skill he’s a step or more below many of the defensemen in this draft and with the game trending towards faster, more open play – he could be passed over on day one."

Thrower, from THN: "A catalyst for his club and played on the top pairing with 2011 Colorado first rounder Duncan Siemens, where he faced opponents' top lines." Better, still: "He's one of those players who can do it all," said one scout. "Finishes his checks, runs the powerplay and he's not afraid to defend himself."