[montreal]

Originally Posted by x74Pacioretty74x

Shows how deep of a system we really have with guys like Pateryn and Vail at 17, 18, ect.

I haven't seen a lot of Vail yet, so I went more off what i've heard, he didn't really stand out when I saw him this year so far but I did think of putting him higher plus I was more impressed with Hudon and Bozon, so i didn't want to go even more overboard on the 2012 draft as I find it becomes easy to overrate the newest prospects since they are still shinny. I know that many were happy with the way 2012 went for the most part, but it's hard not to get excited to see what some of these kids are doing already at a young age. Granted we'll see as they have a long ways to go yet but it's an impressive start to what could be a strong draft class for us.

Pateryn I like but have some concerns about his skating/foot speed/mobility. I do think he'll see NHL ice at some point in the next couple years. It's too bad he got injured cause I think he will become a fan favorite for Hamilton as he knows how to use his size, he can really crush people from time to time. Will be interesting to see if Mac Bennett turns pro and signs with the Habs as they could perhaps be put together again which would be interesting to see as Bennett is better off with someone that's steady and physically strong.

Originally Posted by overlords

Top 5 looks a lot like mine. Nice list. I remember getting flak for placing Collberg at #2.

Only thing I'd think about changing in the top 5 is perhaps swapping Tinordi for Leblanc, but injuries and playing at a higher level than he should have been make me think I might be underestimating Louis.

As for the rest, interesting to see you put Hudon over Vail, and then Holland over Hudon. Holland has made me a believer and I'm a huge fan of Hudon.

Thanks. I think it's very close with Collberg, Beaulieu, Tinordi, Gallagher,Kristo and Bennett. It doens't really matter where they are ranked but imo they are all right up there for 2nd best prospect. Collberg impressed at the wjc's so if he has the high skill level I think he has, we might have a future 1st line winger, of course it will be interesting to see where he ends up playing next season.

I like Leblanc a lot even though I wish he would be quicker, and improve his lower body strength I still think he's going to be a very solid top 9 NHLer that in time will be effective at both ends of the ice. Tinordi could easily be ranked over him as they are neck and neck just bringing different things. Since I have concerns about Tinordi's lack of offense I put him lower for now.

As for Hudon over Vail, in the games I saw of each, I was so impressed with Hudon but Vail not as much. Over the season I should get a better feel, the 1st time ranking a new draft class is tougher since I have put less and less focus on watching NHL draft prospects, so I don't have a good feel unless they played on the same team as another Hab prospect. It could go either way as both are having breakout seasons, just that I was more impressed with the talent and drive of Hudon.

I am most impressed with Holland in Hamilton so far, as I knew little of him before the trade. I am concerned about his lack of strength but his passing game is very good, hopefully he can fill out a good bit over the next few years, should be interesting to see how he ends up.

Originally Posted by Et le But

I agree with that almost completely; I'm not sure Leblanc over Tinordi but it's hard to compare the two, I guess it's fair as a much more well rounded player Leblanc has a higher upside.

I'm also tempted to switch Hudon and Bozon, I'm very excited by Hudon but Bozon does have "safer" upside. Nice to see another person with Holland in the top 10.

Tinordi could easily end up being better then Leblanc, so either way they are both expected to be big parts of our future. I fully admit I like Leblanc more then others although I do have some concerns, I equally have concerns about Tinordi so I went with Leblanc who I feel is a safe bet to make the NHL like Tinordi is but I think Leblanc still has high offensive upside.

I don't agree that Bozon has safer upside as Hudon doesn't seem to let his lack of size impact him greatly. I was impressed with what I saw from Bozon, as feared another Duncan Milroy but saw that he was going to the net hard and willing to get his nose dirty. But Hudon was more impressive as he was all over the ice, he was better in his own end then I was expecting, he's very smart and creative, plus he knows what to do with the puck. I think there's a lot to like about Hudon.

Originally Posted by LePoche69

Very nice list. But I still can't believe that Tinordi is so high. The guy will never be more than a 5-6 d-man, and it's not even a given he'll reach that potential. I mean, Hall Gill has been better than him at almost every level he played.

I could see Tinordi never being more then a 5-6 but I could also see him easily being a very good 5th that excells on the PK and finally gives us someone that can clear the crease. I'm not as sold on Tinordi as others, but I still think he stands a very good shot of being at least a really solid bottom pairing phsyical stay at home type which we sorely could use.

Originally Posted by 2 Chainz

Nice to see you having Bennett fairly high on your list, he's probably our most underrated prospect.. doesn't get talked about much around here due to having guys like Beaulieu, Tinordi, Ellis, Dietz, Thrower etc but every time I've watched him I've been very impressed.

I think I am the president of the Mac Bennett fan club. I have been saying around here since his USHL days that the Habs might have something very special in Bennett as he moves the puck well, loves to rush it up ice, has good offensive instincts, impressive mobility. He's a bit undersized (or was last year, haven't seen him yet but will this week) and he's prone to mistakes in his own end at times, imo his upside is very high although with a possible future logjam on defense, depending on how things play out with the number of impressive D prospects we have.