Quoting: F50marco
I just want to be the first to say it but my gut tells me they are taking Jake Sanderson assuming they have 9th pick or worse. Possibly even if they have the 8th......
I respect you, tell me why you believe so?
To me Sanderson was in a good position where he had the chance to play top pairing minutes with a weak USDP team this year following the exodus of 1st rounders last summer. If you're looking for a high floor/low ceiling safe pick he could be the in discussion at 8 but sincerely this year's basically the first time that Montreal came out and said (Timmins) "they would not be pressed to fill a need". To me that clearly shows the confidence that the management's is going for an homerun instead of a double this year.
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To me at 8 the targets are:
- Raymond - Not the biggest guy but you could see at the WJC what kind of energy he brings to the ice (I saw similarities there with Gallagher), already able to compete against mens but
the most important ... He's a
right handed left winger and that's money right there.
- Holtz - Everywhere he went, he scored, it's this simple. The guy should stay in the SHL for another year but clearly has
immense talent on the offensive side of the puck but not many report talks about his defensive zone prowess so that does raise some questions on my end as if he could develop in a complete first line player or a second line PP specialist, in both cases it'd be a solid pick. I think he'll go earlier but the lack of defensive awareness could make him slip a couple spots.
- Rossi - Would Montreal go back to back "Smallest player of the first round"? I mean the guy has it all, give him 3 inches and he's in talks for 1st overall but like every year size will push down his draft stock. Wins faceoffs, great vision, scorer, passer, defensive zone commitment, there's nothing to hate about this guy. The question is do you let him another year in the OHL and hope that he becomes even more complete or bring him in the AHL? It's worth mentionning that compared to Caufield he isn't a small guy even if he isn't tall, if the OHL website's accurate and he's coming in at
187lbs his height souldn't be as polarizing as Caufield last year.
Wildcard: Holloway - Do you double down with Wisconsin products? You get a projected two way player that has elite speed packed with unbelievable balance and defensive awareness, only thing to work on is the overall offensive stand point to his game. Your last two 1st rounders gets to know eachother and create a strong bond prior to putting the Habs jersey on.