Salut les rédacteurs du Tricolore ! C’est un plaisir de recevoir Scott Wheeler (u\\scottcwheelerTA), rédacteur en chef pour l’Athletic, spécialisé dans les repêchages et les espoirs de la LNH. Vous pouvez poster vos questions là-bas, Scott commencera à y répondre vers 19h00 HAE.
[Scott Wheeler](https://theathletic.com/author/scott-wheeler/) couvre le repêchage de la LNH et les perspectives à l’échelle nationale pour The Athletic. Scott a écrit pour le Toronto Star, le Globe and Mail, le Toronto Sun, le National Post, SB Nation et plusieurs autres médias dans le passé. Il pourra répondre à toutes vos questions concernant les prospects et le prochain repêchage de la LNH ! Nous sommes super heureux de le recevoir et d’avoir ses idées sur les perspectives qui nous intéressent. (Restez attentif, nous pourrions également apporter un autre avis dans les prochaines semaines 😉 ). Edit : Scott essaiera de répondre à autant de questions que possible, mais il n’aura peut-être pas le temps de répondre à tout le monde et/ou des questions en double. Soyez compréhensif et comprenez qu’il le fait librement et pour notre plus grand plaisir.
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flepine44
26 Comments
Are the habs really serious about moving up or it’s all mind games to make sure Michkov drops at 5?
Hey Scott ! It’s a pleasure to have you in here, thanks for your time.
I was wondering what was your opinion on this draft-class’ goalies ? Do you think some of them are worth a 1st round pick ? (Fowler, Augustine, Hrabal etc.)
Based on last years draft and chatter from around the league what do you think Montreal’s draft philosophy is (how we value draft eligible players), and how has this changed from previous years?
Thanks.
What are things you wish you could say to others in the media who report on the Habs but don’t because you value being employed?
Hi Scott, thank you for doing this. Next draft is exciting but lets look at our 2022 picks if you want.
Is Hutson the real deal in your opinion. Is there any chance his game does not translate enough to the nhl?
If you want to answer as well, has your opinion changed in any way about Mesar and Beck after their D+1 year and if so, how?
What level within organizations are “sources” usually at? Are they usually lower – mid level employees who hear stuff, or is it senior management and decision makers?
Like, if we hear Montreal has interest in drafting player X, are sources usually high level scouts? People around the GM? The guy who goes on coffee runs and overhears stuff?
On a similar note, if it’s someone higher up, are they leaking things with the purpose of getting the info out there? Are they ever more explicit than you report and basically tell you the entire story but do so “off the record” so that you have to soften/generalize the statement and make it less definitive?
Hey Scott,
How big would you think the gap is between Zach Benson and Will Smith? If Hughes doesnt want to go the Michkov route, I feel like Benson is just as good if not a better prospect than Smith so I dont really get why hes trying to move up so bad.
What are some of your hot takes surrounding the NHL Draft 2023? Some trades, overrated or underrated players, etc.
Thanks for doing this AMA!
Hi Scott, thank you for doing this.
Please give us all a good read on Reinbacher. Many think that GMs are hoping to snag the next Seider (ie. limited offensive production pre-draft, but pro-ready game). Is Reinbacher going to be an all-situations 1D? Or more of an even strength analytical sweetheart type such as Slavin, Pelech, Ekholm, etc…?
In addition, do you think that Moore and Leonard are overhyped for similar reasons as above? As in, many see player comps and just run with the idea of drafting the next Tkachuk or Larkin?
Lastly, you’re the GM. Why would you take Will Smith over Benson? Why is Benson never seen as the 5th pick in most mocks. His foot speed doesn’t seem to as big a deal as most make it seem to be, does he lose value because he plays with Matt Savoie?
between Michkov, Leonard, benson and reinbacher who do you think is more likely to be a hab on June 28th
Hey Scott, It’s my understanding that the 2024 draft class is much deeper on the blueline, is that your sense as well? I know it’s early, but where would you slot David Reinbacher in amongst that group?
Would it be wise to go forward for the Habs at five, and wait to draft a defenseman next Year?
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Thanks Scott!
Hey Scott, thanks for doing this.
Who’s your favourite player in the coming draft and why? Any fun players you’re pulling for, like Hutson last year.
Cheers
Hey Scott, Thanks for doing this !
About Michkov (I know, I know… !); I heard that the 3-year contract and the Russian factor might not be the only be the only negatives about him. I heard Arpon Basu speak about maybe his lack of compete and/or interest to play without the puck (which I feel is important).
My questions are:
Do you share the same sentiments ?
Do you think these negatives outweigh the positives for a top 5 pick ?
Or do you think his offensive « toolbox » is so far ahead that it’s worth the shot ?
Thanks !
A lot of Habs fans are (unfairly… imo) scared of Reinbacher at 5. If the Habs take Reinbacher at 5, what would you say (if anything) to talk them off the ledge?
Hey Scott, I know you’ve consistently liked Carolina’s draft hauls and feel that they evaluate players in a similar way to yourself. Are there any teams that, based on recent drafts, seem to consistently evaluate talent in a very different or opposite way? And what are the qualities that those teams seem to value that don’t move the needle as much for you?
for our picks 31,37; what players or trades do you think are on the radar for the Canadiens with those picks, and do you think GMs are more willing to draft based on organizational need in this range?(as opposed to highest value/best player, which I think becomes more and more challenging to get a fix on the deeper into any draft year we go)
Hi Scott,
Thanks for doing this! With how well Raphael Harvey-Pinard did this year are there any double overagers you’d take a swing on in the 5th round or later?
Also, what specific traits would you look for in a prospect when drafting that late?
Hi Scott,
Thanks for doing this, big fan of your work. Happy to see you survived the cuts at The Athletic.
Some people have been talking about the possibility of Carey Price returning to Montreal in a management or coaching capacity in the future (whether distant or near). Have you heard anything concrete about this and would he even still be able to do that while maintaining a SPC?
Thanks again!
Who is the most underrated prospect in the habs org and why is it Jayden Struble?
Hey Scott! Who do you think habs will draft leonard if smith is gone? Or take a flyer on benson?
Scott, I know you have been a fan of Marco Rossi, historically. Joe or Russo (or both) wrote that the Wild would consider moving Rossi…how high in the draft could the Wild get if they traded Rossi and their 1st? If so, would the tier of players at that pick be worth it in your opinion?
Hey Scott, for all the NHL Draft betting people out there, are there any DraftKings props you’d recommend *as things stand right now*? Would love if you’d rank your top 2-3.
Hey Scott, love your content on the Athletic. I saw a post on our sub about this recently, would you be willing to give us odds, either percentage or Vegas style on who you think the Habs pick this year?
Hi Scott, thanks for doing this AMA,
With all the smoke signals surrounding Dubois and MTL over the years, what are your thoughts on how a player like him might react to being walked to free agency vs being traded for? Do you think it would sour him on the Habs at all if Kent/Gorton played hardball with WPG and either offered a low return to the Jets to secure him early or if management waited out the timer and let him play elsewhere for a year?
Do you think that Dubois is really as dead-set as folks say he is about coming home to MTL, or is it more a case of just trying to get away from less desireable clubs/cities like Columbus and Winnipeg? And at the end of the day, in your opinion, does PLD as a player and person fit in with the group and atmosphere that HuGo, MSL and Suzuki are building?
Thanks and enjoy your summer!
Hi Scott,
Not asking you to slander your buddy Pronman at all but you and him usually have a few players ranked wildy different from each other every year.
What do you value differently than Corey and has your perception of what’s important in players changed over time?
Where do you see Slafkosvky development curve go ? Will he be an impact player then ? Do you have a comparable in mind?