if summers is available at 16 we have to TAKE him!!
this is my list right now (unless big drop)
1-Sheppard
2-Summers
3-Sanguinetti
4-Stewart
5-Berglund
I'm really have a hard time focusing on one name I would like to see the habs nab this year.
I guess Stewart stands out a bit for me if for nothing else, his fathers huge love for the habs, and the fact that a big guy with good wheels never seems like a bad idea, so.....
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Great info thanks. I would say unless a great forward that is expected to go top 10 like Brassard slips to us we cannot pass it up, if not we gotta go with a Defencemen, so if it came down to Summers or Stewart as good as Stewart sounds Id say the intelligent choice would be to go with Summers. We really need the defencive depth more than at forward.
I would have to agree. However, the more I hear the more I think Summers will be gone by 16.
If they can trade up and get Brassard then let's do it... for the other prospects this is the year to take a big forward that skates well... There is a lot of good centers this year so i'd go with one.
At defense we have Yemelin coming and Archer too... let's not forget that defensemans get in their prime at around 25-26 years old sometime older.... so it's better to sign them up then always keep on drafting them and lose them via free agency or on waivers (like beauchemin). With the new NHL ufa rules (age etc...) i think that drafting a goalie or a defenseman is risky...
In the first round at 16 i see a lot of good forwards available also. Before talking about the team defensive needs i see another problem... we need help at the right side. Last year Timmins took a lot of right handed players to address the need but none of them is a first line caliber prospect and we need one.
This is the year for a right handed center... if we can go up... if not then maybe one will fall into our hands.
My picks are in order in the first round:
Derrick Brassard (not right handed but has chemistry with Latendresse!!!)
Peter Mueller C (Right handed and big at 6'2"... addresses a big team need!!!)
Chris Stewart RW (Right handed and big too)
Bryan Little C (right handed, lacks size but what a player!!!)
Michael Grabner RW (left handed but has the speed for the new NHL)
Tomas Kana C (right handed and big)
Surpise pick : Bryce Swan... Right handed and big but injury prone (unlucky!!!)
Second Round the habs will need two picks!!:
Blake Geoffrion (the legacy of the family playing for the habs continue)
Claude Giroux (right handed and also very talented i've seen him in the playoff in the Q and he brings a lot more then what the people think!!!)
Stewart hands down!!! He's fast and skilled, he's a true pf...We need a pf like him in our organization. He looks like a better pro prospect then his bro.
If the Habs trade up, no question it has to be Brassard. He's miles ahead of the 2 guys aforementioned. But if they can't, I'd go with the D. Or Jamie Summers. She was strong as hell.
Last edited by deandebean: 06-21-2006 at 09:59 PM.
Heard lots of interesting stuff, including that Fischer is the biggest "idiot" of the draft.
Anyway - Berglund got a big thumbs down from these scouts - they're not sold on him being a first rounder, let alone a top 20 pick. Not smart with the puck; has a tendency to try to go end-to-end with the puck. Not always willing to put in the effort.
For what it's worth - Summers, Grabner, Stewart - one of those three would be good picks at 16th based on what these fellows are saying.
Well, so much for my vocation as an "arm chair GM". I had both Fischer and Berglund very high on my "wish list" for Habs 1st round pick. Then again, I had Patrick Thoresen (? spelling) picked as sure fire 1st rounder his draft year and no one went anywhere near him. Goes to show what I know. Oh well...
A lot of years folks can make at least a reasonable "guess" at who the Habs might take in the first round, or at least who might be available. I guessed right with Chipchura his draft year (along with just about every other poster here). Price was a shocker last year, but those who had Brule picked probably weren't far of the mark. Had Price by some miracle been gone at 5, there's a pretty fair chance that Brule was next on the list.
This year, I can't even begin to guess who the Habs might pick at #16, or for that matter, who might be there, once you get past the first 7 or 8 top prospects. As I said in another post, the only one I'd really like among the top prospects who MIGHT fall far enough for the Habs to take is Little, although the chances of that happening are so remote they hardly bear consideration. Concerns have been expressed about his modest size and apparent lack of explosive speed which most GMs seem to want to see in a smaller player. Thus, it's possible he might fall, but I highly doubt it.
As I read more and more about the 2nd tier of prospects, which seems to begin just about where the Habs pick at 16, I really wonder whether Gainey and Co might not go way "outside the box" and go deep in the rankings to make their selection at 16. Of course, if this is the plan, trading down would make a lot more sense, still, it's an intriguing, if perhaps highly unlikely, event to contemplate. I was thinking today just who the Habs might take if they did decide to pull a real shocker and "go deep" in the prospect pool with their 1st pick, and who might be a candidate (however unlikely) if they did this. Mind you, this is just for fun, but it forces one to think "outside the box" which is always a challenge.
In perusing the various possibilities (and there are a ton of them) one guy that caught my eye who the Habs might take a "flyer" on in the 1st or 2nd round is Simon Danis-Pepin. Sounds crazy I know, but as I started reading about him, well, I began to wonder.
The following description taken from the HF Prospects page is intriguing where they list him as #5 among NCAA draft eligible candidates.
5. Simon Danis-Pepin, D – Freshman, University of Maine
6’7 208 lbs. DOB: 4/11/88
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 61stamong North American skaters
2005-06 season: Watching Danis-Pepin’s incredible progress in the course of his rookie year has been quite fascinating. He was the youngest player in Hockey East this season. The Vaudreil-Dorion, Quebec native blossomed from an awkward, almost timid behemoth on the blue line in October to a more confident and comfortable defenseman by season’s end. In 23 games, Danis-Pepin posted five points and was named the recipient of the team’s Jack Semler award for the Most Improved Player.
Talent Analysis: Danis-Pepin is a towering defenseman who is very much a work in progress that is still trying to fill out a 6’7 body. His size has been a tremendous asset and he has learned to use it well to his advantage. Two areas that have been even more impressive are his great hockey sense and his understanding of how to play his position effectively. He has good offensive capabilities and a keen awareness of his surroundings, particularly in the defensive zone. While Danis-Pepin skates well, his speed is an area of concern that should improve as he continues to mature and develop.
University of Maine head coach Tim Whitehead’s comments on Danis-Pepin: “The most intriguing thing about Simon is how much he improved during the year and how he was able to jumped into all situations. His work ethic has been just unbelievable in how hard he’s trained to be able to do that. Initially it was tough for Simon to adjust to the speed of the game because he jumped up to college from below the junior A level.”
When you consider the foregoing, and in particular Coach Whitehead's observations on Danis-Pepin, you start getting a picture of another Zdeno Chara complete with the questions surrounding his skating that Chara had when he arrived in the NHL. Was there a more awkward skater than Chara when he first arrived in Ottawa?
Danis-Pepin would seem an interesting pick if the Habs really decided to make a "reach" which I seriously doubt. Anyway, just some food for thought. Like I said, it's fun to think "outside the box" once in a while. Risky if you're a GM though, and Gainey doesn't strike me as a "high risk" type of guy.
If the Habs trade up, no question it has to be Brassard. He's miles ahead of the 2 guys aforementioned. But if they can't, I'd go with the D. Or Jamie Summers. She was strong as hell.
You have to remember thought that Brassard is almost a full year older then older draftees. This can give the appearance that he is miles ahead of the others. But in fact he is behind
Well, so much for my vocation as an "arm chair GM". I had both Fischer and Berglund very high on my "wish list" for Habs 1st round pick. Then again, I had Patrick Thoresen (? spelling) picked as sure fire 1st rounder his draft year and no one went anywhere near him. Goes to show what I know. Oh well...
A lot of years folks can make at least a reasonable "guess" at who the Habs might take in the first round, or at least who might be available. I guessed right with Chipchura his draft year (along with just about every other poster here). Price was a shocker last year, but those who had Brule picked probably weren't far of the mark. Had Price by some miracle been gone at 5, there's a pretty fair chance that Brule was next on the list.
This year, I can't even begin to guess who the Habs might pick at #16, or for that matter, who might be there, once you get past the first 7 or 8 top prospects. As I said in another post, the only one I'd really like among the top prospects who MIGHT fall far enough for the Habs to take is Little, although the chances of that happening are so remote they hardly bear consideration. Concerns have been expressed about his modest size and apparent lack of explosive speed which most GMs seem to want to see in a smaller player. Thus, it's possible he might fall, but I highly doubt it.
As I read more and more about the 2nd tier of prospects, which seems to begin just about where the Habs pick at 16, I really wonder whether Gainey and Co might not go way "outside the box" and go deep in the rankings to make their selection at 16. Of course, if this is the plan, trading down would make a lot more sense, still, it's an intriguing, if perhaps highly unlikely, event to contemplate. I was thinking today just who the Habs might take if they did decide to pull a real shocker and "go deep" in the prospect pool with their 1st pick, and who might be a candidate (however unlikely) if they did this. Mind you, this is just for fun, but it forces one to think "outside the box" which is always a challenge.
In perusing the various possibilities (and there are a ton of them) one guy that caught my eye who the Habs might take a "flyer" on in the 1st or 2nd round is Simon Danis-Pepin. Sounds crazy I know, but as I started reading about him, well, I began to wonder.
The following description taken from the HF Prospects page is intriguing where they list him as #5 among NCAA draft eligible candidates.
5. Simon Danis-Pepin, D – Freshman, University of Maine
6’7 208 lbs. DOB: 4/11/88
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 61stamong North American skaters
2005-06 season: Watching Danis-Pepin’s incredible progress in the course of his rookie year has been quite fascinating. He was the youngest player in Hockey East this season. The Vaudreil-Dorion, Quebec native blossomed from an awkward, almost timid behemoth on the blue line in October to a more confident and comfortable defenseman by season’s end. In 23 games, Danis-Pepin posted five points and was named the recipient of the team’s Jack Semler award for the Most Improved Player.
Talent Analysis: Danis-Pepin is a towering defenseman who is very much a work in progress that is still trying to fill out a 6’7 body. His size has been a tremendous asset and he has learned to use it well to his advantage. Two areas that have been even more impressive are his great hockey sense and his understanding of how to play his position effectively. He has good offensive capabilities and a keen awareness of his surroundings, particularly in the defensive zone. While Danis-Pepin skates well, his speed is an area of concern that should improve as he continues to mature and develop.
University of Maine head coach Tim Whitehead’s comments on Danis-Pepin: “The most intriguing thing about Simon is how much he improved during the year and how he was able to jumped into all situations. His work ethic has been just unbelievable in how hard he’s trained to be able to do that. Initially it was tough for Simon to adjust to the speed of the game because he jumped up to college from below the junior A level.”
When you consider the foregoing, and in particular Coach Whitehead's observations on Danis-Pepin, you start getting a picture of another Zdeno Chara complete with the questions surrounding his skating that Chara had when he arrived in the NHL. Was there a more awkward skater than Chara when he first arrived in Ottawa?
Danis-Pepin would seem an interesting pick if the Habs really decided to make a "reach" which I seriously doubt. Anyway, just some food for thought. Like I said, it's fun to think "outside the box" once in a while. Risky if you're a GM though, and Gainey doesn't strike me as a "high risk" type of guy.
Cheers.
Good stuff. I wouldn't put too much stock into the scouts' opinions - there might be other teams that like Berglund and Fischer, but the ones I talked to didn't, that's all. Usually it's a decent indicator though.
Like last year, lots of people had Latendresse as a top 15 pick in their mocks and stuff, but from what I had heard from a select few scouts, he wasn't going in the first round. Same thing with O'Sullivan the year before and Hudler the year before that.
Good call on Pepin - he's one of my darkhorse picks. I ddin't see him play last season, but he was a force the year befoer in the midget finals; one couldn't help but notice the 6-7 kid on the blueline. I think he'd be a good pick in the second round, and a great pick in the third.
Thankfully, last year gave me a new tired old refrain... "If Sasha Pokulok can be picked in the top-15, then so can..." Simon Danis-Pepin. Etc.
That said, I sure hope the Habs don't go that way. I "sort of saw" him a couple times on the CSTV games this year, but to be honest, other than being a big flagpole on the ice, I didn't notice him do anything much, either with the puck or without it. Granted, picking him, you're looking waaay down the road anyway. But I don't really see what he would give us at #16 that the other long-shot candidates like Summers, Strait, Williams etc couldn't give with more assurance. Of course, Gainey proved last year in picking Price that he isn't afraid to pick the guy he wants, regardless of where he might be in the consensus order relative to other players around him. I can easily see the Habs going "off the board" to the consensus, for sure. Hopefully not as far off the board as Danis-Pepin, though.
Nice post Mr. FisherKing. I'm not too far off from where you sit, as I also occupy a nice big internet armchair. I have that same feeling of puzzlement about the Habs 16th compared to other years. Right now, there's a list of about 10 potential names who wouldn't really surprise or disappoint or excite me.
Danis-Pepin sounds like a real longshot though. I'm really tempted to throw out some names of my own, but I just don't know enough. For instance, just going by those little scouting descriptions, I'd reckon someone like Strait as an intriguing pick, even though there's probably good reasons why he's ranked as a 2nd rounder.
As far as baseless intuition goes, I could see the Habs taking an offensive Euro at 16th, whether it be someone who falls like Tlusty, or someone like Anisimov or Grabner. (I'm actually just grabnering names that sound exotic, perhaps reliving the Kostitsyn draft approach.) I could then see one of the US defencemen or one of the grinding character guys getting picked in the 2nd round.
Anyway, it's always fun to look back after the draft. Last year I was pretty sure that Staal was going to be the 2nd or 3rd defenceman taken, possibly as high as 5th. Though I didn't think Latendresse was going to be taken in the top 15, I was also pretty sure he wouldn't last until the 45th. So who knows.
Thanks for your thoughts fellas...some good points.
No question that Pepin at 16 is pretty unlikely, and that's probably a good thing. As BG points out, there's probably others who offer more with less risk. Turnbuckle's thoughts on him in the 2nd and 3rd round certainly make more sense, IF he's still there, and therein lies the problem. Habs I think pick around #47 in the second (barring moving up in a trade) and it's difficult to imagine Pepin being passed on 46 times. Then again, as davedave said, who knew Latendresse would be around in the 2nd round? I sure didn't, so anything is possible I guess.
Still, when I see reviews, (particularly by his coach) using such superlatives as "incredible" and "amazing" being associated with his progress and work ethic, and when I consider that these superlatives are being used to describe a kid who jumped from "below Junior A" to the NCAA and did this in his freshman year, I tend to be impressed (perhaps too easily). I start wondering if he accomplished this in his first year, what will he do developmentally the next couple of years? Add to those qualities an apparently fairly high degree of defensive and offensive smarts and awareness, and I start wondering just how long this guy will be available. Even when you look past his sheer size (if you can find something high enough to stand on to achieve that feat), those are some pretty nice qualities to find in any draft pick.
One thing is for sure, it would take one HELLUVA "crystal ball" to make any predictions on this draft, which of course is what makes it so interesting.
Still, when I see reviews, (particularly by his coach) using such superlatives as "incredible" and "amazing" being associated with his progress and work ethic, and when I consider that these superlatives are being used to describe a kid who jumped from "below Junior A" to the NCAA and did this in his freshman year, I tend to be impressed (perhaps too easily).
Well, it's also worth noting that almost every quote I've ever read from an NCAA coach talking about their kids includes similar superlatives. It's kind of SOP that they will plug their kids, good for the kid and hence the coach too, plus it also ultimately promotes the whole program when kids get drafted into the NHL. So I always try to take those coach quotes with at least a tiny grain of salt.
And too, the public consumption scouting releases, like the CSB media guide, typically focus solely on positives too, you usually have to crank the superlatives down a notch or two in translation to get a picture of the player relative to his many superlative peers.
Like last year, lots of people had Latendresse as a top 15 pick in their mocks and stuff, but from what I had heard from a select few scouts, he wasn't going in the first round.
Anything related to his interview(s) or just his skating like it has been mentionned?
Also , can you give any indication who these scouts work for ?
Well, it's also worth noting that almost every quote I've ever read from an NCAA coach talking about their kids includes similar superlatives. It's kind of SOP that they will plug their kids, good for the kid and hence the coach too, plus it also ultimately promotes the whole program when kids get drafted into the NHL. So I always try to take those coach quotes with at least a tiny grain of salt.
And too, the public consumption scouting releases, like the CSB media guide, typically focus solely on positives too, you usually have to crank the superlatives down a notch or two in translation to get a picture of the player relative to his many superlative peers.
Ah, the tough job of an armchair draft fanatic.
Tough job indeed BG...but someone has to do it. I would agree the superlatives must be taken with a "grain of salt" and I tend to grab the stuff by the handful. Certainly the scouting reports focus on the positives with very few negatives to be sure. In fact, that's where the fun is, trying to "sift the grain from the chaff" so to speak. Frankly, I know nothing of this Whitehead guy, but I can do a pretty fair job of reading between the lines, and picking out inconsistencies. Dunno about Pepin, or any of these other guys really to be honest, so it's pure speculation on my part. Still, fun to play with the possibilities. And God, I love this arm chair of mine. Cheers.
Anything related to his interview(s) or just his skating like it has been mentionned?
Also , can you give any indication who these scouts work for ?
It was mainly a skating issue, certainly it had nothing to do with his interviews. Scouts loved his strength, hands, size, but there was huge concern over his skating. One scout went so far as to tell me 16 months ago or so that he was the worst skater he had ever scouted (among highly rated prospects). He has since changed his mind somewhat, he certainly doesn't say he's the worst skater he's ever seen any more.
Funny thing is, he was employed with the Rangers at the time; the club we traded up with to select Latendresse.
Like I was saying, I love that day so much that I can't make a clear cut idea on who I want. I think I have one favorite per day. Today's favorites, I still have Berglund but now leaning more and more towards a puck moving d-men. I just wish for so long now that we would be :
1- bigger
2- had a better transition game
And I believe that with reviews we got, Alexandrov and Persson, though they each could be a stretch at 16th, could be ideal choices.....Would Summers and Fischer (beside being an idiot....) fill the bill as well???
Like I was saying, I love that day so much that I can't make a clear cut idea on who I want. I think I have one favorite per day. Today's favorites, I still have Berglund but now leaning more and more towards a puck moving d-men. I just wish for so long now that we would be :
1- bigger
2- had a better transition game
And I believe that with reviews we got, Alexandrov and Persson, though they each could be a stretch at 16th, could be ideal choices.....Would Summers and Fischer (beside being an idiot....) fill the bill as well???
The "idiot" reference was sorta funny the first time; I wish you'd back off of it.
Summers is the only one out of those three I'd pick - I think we have to get off the "draft a defenceman' kick as perhaps only two or three are rated in the top 16.
The "idiot" reference was sorta funny the first time; I wish you'd back off of it.
Summers is the only one out of those three I'd pick - I think we have to get off the "draft a defenceman' kick as perhaps only two or three are rated in the top 16.
True that I talked about the idiot a few times but in this instance, it's really a matter of knowing if we should pick him with the new info we got so I had to refer to it. But it's not like I insulted you did I??? Fischer???
As far as drafting a d-men, well tell that to Timmins who seems to want to add more d-men for our org. Again, I'm still on the Berglund bandwagon but Persson and Alexandrov are also know as possible sleepers in this draft. Like Summers too so I believe the other d-men from 16th to 30th are still great possible picks too...
« C'est un très bon patineur qui a une agressivité naturelle en lui, nous a dit Trevor Timmins. C'est un vrai compétiteur qui peut jouer comme attaquant aussi. C'est un blue chip. » On va le prendre au mot.
Translation:
''He is a great skater who has a natural mean streak. He is a great competitor who can play as a forward as well. He is a blue chip prospect.''
I am really starting to think Summers could be our guy. Especially with all the Timmins comments about picking quick skating players in recent days.
« C'est un très bon patineur qui a une agressivité naturelle en lui, nous a dit Trevor Timmins. C'est un vrai compétiteur qui peut jouer comme attaquant aussi. C'est un blue chip. » On va le prendre au mot.
Translation:
''He is a great skater who has a natural mean streak. He is a great competitor who can play as a forward as well. He is a blue chip prospect.''
I am really starting to think Summers could be our guy. Especially with all the Timmins comments about picking quick skating players in recent days.
great speed, great agility. great passing, punishing hits. love the guy already
True that I talked about the idiot a few times but in this instance, it's really a matter of knowing if we should pick him with the new info we got so I had to refer to it. But it's not like I insulted you did I??? Fischer???
As far as drafting a d-men, well tell that to Timmins who seems to want to add more d-men for our org. Again, I'm still on the Berglund bandwagon but Persson and Alexandrov are also know as possible sleepers in this draft. Like Summers too so I believe the other d-men from 16th to 30th are still great possible picks too...
I just want him to go with the top player on his list. It's not like there will be a defenceman at 16th that the Habs have in their top 8. The same may not be true with a forward, as 13-15 of them are rated in the top 16.
Is it normal for Timmins to open his game that much? What did he say in the past years prior to the draft. 'Cause by reading his comments, Summers looks like his choice, I don't remember him talking that way about a prospect so what's his strategy? Does he know that he'll be gone before so he talks about it. Does he really want him and have no problem talking openly about him. Or he has somebody else in mind and speak about Summers openly 'cause actually he doesn't care that much about him???
I'm really have a hard time focusing on one name I would like to see the habs nab this year.
I guess Stewart stands out a bit for me if for nothing else, his fathers huge love for the habs, and the fact that a big guy with good wheels never seems like a bad idea, so.....
No kidding, I met Mr. Stewart at the Habs rookie camp 3 or 4 years ago, great guy, we talked for a while. He absolutely LOVES the Habs, and I remember him saying that even though Anthony couldn't be a Hab, he still held out hope for his younger son. I'd be very happy with Stewart just based on that fact alone, some people don't understand the type of sacrifices that family had to do just to have their sons play hockey, truly a great story.
I would agree the superlatives must be taken with a "grain of salt" and I tend to grab the stuff by the handful. Certainly the scouting reports focus on the positives with very few negatives to be sure. In fact, that's where the fun is, trying to "sift the grain from the chaff" so to speak. Frankly, I know nothing of this Whitehead guy, but I can do a pretty fair job of reading between the lines, and picking out inconsistencies. Dunno about Pepin, or any of these other guys really to be honest, so it's pure speculation on my part. Still, fun to play with the possibilities. And God, I love this arm chair of mine. 
