Montreal Canadiens

[ericdaoust]

What if they re-sign Weise and stick him on a scoring line?

[newfcollins]

What if they re-sign Weise and stick him on a scoring line?

Only if they make him a centre and bump Galch down to the third line.

[ericdaoust]

Only if they make him a centre and bump Galch down to the third line on the wing.

Fixed your quote.

[Thunder]

Can easily see each of those guys asking north of $6M (iffy on Ladd getting that much). Out of that list, Lucic is probably the only guy I would pay that too (and chanceless he comes to MTL).

Okposo & Eriksson are highly overrated from my viewpoint and Ladd just seems to have lost a gear...but his leadership and experience would still be a huge benefit. I would sign Ladd for 4.5-5 to play on the second line and bring his culture to the dressing room.

What if they re-sign Weise and stick him on a scoring line?

Yes, chances are they'll all be overpaid. But since it's apparently impossible to trade for a top-six forward (according to MB anyhow), what else can you do (except what Eric suggests, which I fear is a possibility)? I wonder it Lucic really is that impossible, but I'd so love it. I agree Okposo is overrated and I can see that one ending up badly.

I don't personally think Eriksson is "overrated," but he doesn't bring the grit.

[Goldendelicious]

I don't personally think Eriksson is "overrated," but he doesn't bring the grit.

It's a personal viewpoint of mine...not stating any consensus. I would bring him in at his current dollar amount but I wouldn't pay open market price for him.

[rufio.85]

So 9th pick overall it is... Who should the Habs take?
If I was MB, I would swing for the fences. Let's not get caught up in the positional need or the size factor and let's draft talent in the top-10.
Jost, Keller or Juolevi (if still available) would be great around that 9th pick.

[evans334]

I'm leaning towards moving the pick if we can acquire an impact top 6 forward.

If we can't move it for something that helps us immediately then just draft the best player on the board....preferably a forward.

[ericdaoust]

I think they keep the pick and go with a forward. Those picks just don't get moved for players that often and they can always sign a RW in July.

[Bass56]

I think they keep the pick and go with a forward.

They have to! Adding a D that will need numerous years of development is ridiculous. They need the help of someone who will be able to play while Price, Subban and Patches are in their prime! Otherwise, that talent will be wasted if they aren't able to surround their top-6 with other weapons. Until now, the only help has come from drafts (i.e. Galchenyuk and Gallagher).

[ericdaoust]

Forwards need development time too. They're not picking anyone at 9 to help them immediately.

[LeTrefle]

My hope is they move up (4th with EDM) and draft Dubois...
4th vs 9th + (insert what it takes for the +)

[Goldendelicious]

My hope is they move up (4th with EDM) and draft Dubois...
4th vs 9th + (insert what it takes for the +)

As much as I would love the Habs to land Dubois, I wouldn't pay the price to go up 5 spots to 4th overall.

I'd be stoked of Nylander slipped to 9th overall but that's a pretty fair stretch I think. I always had McLeod above Jost but Jost has really impressed me at the U18s. However McLeod has always projected as a more 2-way forward modelled similarly to Bergeron/Toewe (not sayingredients he is on part, just that he has a strong two way game, can put the puck in the net and is excellent in the face off circle). It's a tough call bUT if the Habs get one of Jost or McLeod, that's a great start to the draft for them.

[Bass56]

Forwards need development time too. They're not picking anyone at 9 to help them immediately.

True and true. But D-Men typically break in at 22-24ish whereas a forward could make the jump earlier. This of course usually doesn't apply to star prospects but like you said, picking 9th probably won't land them a star; at least not one that is lined up to be one early on...

I'm just hoping that they can get a forward that can make the jump quickly and evolve while playing with the core players (i.e. Gallagher a few years back)

[franklin]

I would go with a forward: Jost, Keller or Brown.

[ericdaoust]

Is it just me or is Keller's name coming up a lot?