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Habs currently sit in 2nd last place, tied with Edmonton on pts, but with less wins. They better not fuck this up.
For the first time in almost two decades the Habs will be able to draft a potential superstar. And should they sign Roy as the GM(or even coach), Grigorenko would be the most awesomest fit in Montreal.
Grigorenko is 6'3, and already 200lbs, as an 18 year old. Which means that he should fill into his frame and hit 210-215lbs. Making for one big, stocky, talented centre for the Habs.
IF the Habs draft 3rd or 4th, I really really really really hope that they do everything in their power to trade up to 1st or 2nd, so as to land Grigorenko.
The Habs are currently sitting on what? Three 2nd rounders for this year's draft? They could package their 3rd or 4th + their own high end 2nd rounder(plus maybe a prospect), to move up a slot or two.
Edmonton really needs Dmen, and it so happens that after the top 2, the next 10-ish draft rankings are all Dmen. I'm sure that Edmonton would be more than happy with Murray.
Which, at this moment leaves Columbus. Now, they have had nothing but bad luck with their Russian draft picks so far. And they have also alluded to being open to possibly trading away their #1 pick. Yet, considering just how high an asking price Howson has set for Nash, I wonder if he might not also highball any potential suitors out of the ballpark.
Another thing to consider as well, seeing as how Yakupov and Grigorenko are being compared, a least vaguely, to Ovechkin and Malkin. And seeing as Yakupov is both Russian and a Muslim, it might be seen as a faux pas to draft this talented young man and bring him to Ohio. Who knows if the fans would warm up to him? Plus, Yakupov has already suffered at least one concussion, and has had at least two major injuries in junior, could this also factor into pushing Columbus into seeking an alternate scenario for themselves?
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Columbus chose Grigorenko instead of Yakupov, seeing it as a safer bet with their fan base. Which would completely thwart the Habs' intentions of drafting Grigorenko.
The Habs are looking pretty good on the back end. They have a very solid top three in Gorges, Markov, and Subban(his sophomore jinx is over and he'll tear it up next year). Emelin is still getting better and should settle into a quality top 4 Dman. Diaz will settle into a servicable 5th or 6th Dman. St-Denis should be servicable as a 6th or 7th Dman. And all of them, except Markov, are under 30 years old too. Plus, the Habs have some pretty good Dman talent on the way to the pros in the form of Tinordi(Chara Light), Beaulieu, Ellis, and Dietz.
So, considering the Dman depth, and the sore lack of a dominant scoring center, and lack of scoring depth. I really hope that the Habs try really hard to land either Grigorenko, or Yakupov.
Either player would be a welcome addition to the Habs, but Grigorenko seems to be the better fit in so many ways. He's bigger, stronger, more durable(so far), and already acclimatized to the province of Quebec. And should Roy get hired by the Habs, he'd be coming into the team under the direction of a man he's already familiar with, and whom he admires a lot. Also, being from Russia, chances are the cold/snow of winter is no big deal to him.
Of course, the Habs could fuck it all up on us by winning their last few games and bumping themselves up a few positions...
I haven't been this nervous for a Draft in my whole life. I can only hope that things pan out for us.
Did you read the post immediately after that where I was like "wait, no I take that back, they have games in hand"?
I hope they do take the division because if that happens and Buffalo beats out Washington (big game tonight) I'll look like a freaking oracle in re: my playoff seeding predictions.
Looking at them again, I will probably be off in my West race in terms of 6-7-8 which I had DAL-CHI-PHX, but CHI-DAL-PHX isn't out of the question depending largely on the Kings. My east is pretty good except I had NJD in 5th and PHI in 6th which will be swapped. Not too shabby considering how much stuff has been rearranged in recent weeks but let's see how it ends up on the 7th.
As a Sharks fan though, would you rather finish 3rd and play the Hawks with home ice advantage (who by that time you would expect will have Toews back), or finish 7th and play a potentially-Daniel-Sedinless Vancouver team with home ice disadvantage?
Honestly I think either Phoenix or Dallas is a good first round matchup - as good as they can be these days. There aren't any "easy" outs anymore, but both of those teams have goaltending that has kind of inflated their standing throughout the season but that I would not be comfortable relying on in the playoffs. My sense of Lehtonen was always some fragility and his play level isn't quite elite. Mike Smith meanwhile plays way too deep in his crease for playoff hockey.
I would not want to play the Kings if I were anybody. An elite scoring talent in Kopitar who can, if he happens to show up on a given night, steal a game? Check. A goalie in Quick who can steal a series? Check. A solid goaltending insurance policy if the starter goes down for whatever reason? Check. Balanced youth and experience? Check. Finals experience among two of their best offensive players? Check. Playoff experience for the rest of the team the past 4 years or so? Check. Their best player in DD steps his game up noticeably for the post? Check. Defensive system that can stall a team regardless of talent level? Check. Grit for miles, at forward and on D? Check. That team is a time bomb. I still think they go out in the first round but an upset would not be the shock to end all shocks, you know?
I don't think Vancouver would welcome a San Jose matchup at all. The thing you want least in the first round, even if you think you'll win, is a) a team good enough that you expect it'll be a 6-7 gamer, and b) a team with big bodies who can take a toll on you for the next 3 rounds. San Jose is both of those things. So is LA, mind you. There are no easy matchups, but if San Jose doesn't win the Pacific then either VAN or STL is going to draw a pretty short straw.
As for the rest, any goalie CAN step it up come playoff time. Crawford is probably universally regarded as the worst goalie in the West playoffs going in but look how he played last year for 7 games - lights out good. It's more a question of who's most and least likely to play well.
