The Habs are likely to have two high picks in this year’s draft and could possibly add even more. We as fans are starting to feel hyped for the draft and are excited at the possibility of drafting a name like Bedard, Fantilli, or Michkov. There’s a ton of great names beyond that to get excited for though and we thought it would be great to bring in an expert to answer any questions that we as fans might have.
Will Scouch is the man behind Scouching, a great website, Patreon platform, and Youtube channel that provides some of the best scouting reports you’ll find on the internet. Since 2016, Scouching has been a go to resource for many people (me included) in preparing for the draft as his video analysis, monthly NHL update videos, livestreams all great.
[https://www.scouching.ca/](https://www.scouching.ca/)
Time to post your questions on Habs prospects, 2023 Draft prospects or anything related to drafting/young players. Everyone have fun and thanks to Will for accepting our invitation today ! He will answer questions under u/Scouching
by flepine44
28 Comments
Looking back at drafts from the last few years, are there (in your opinion) attributes that scouts still overrate or underrate?
Example: For a long time, there has been a large premium paid for height and weight. With a few notable smaller players carving out significant roles on their teams lately, do you feel like scouts are more inclined to take a chance on highly skilled players that are under six feet tall or simply not the bulkiest? Or is the draw of the 6,2″ 195lb guy (with good but bot outstanding skating hands etc.) too tempting to ignore to this day?
Ive been hearing for a while that this year seem to be a really good draft but outside from the obvious top guy (Bedard/Carlson/Fantilli/Michkov), I barely hear about other prospect. So I was wondering how those pick 5-15 compare to previous years?
If you were to draft with the Habs two first round picks with today’s rankings and no change in the draft order, who would you like to pick up and who do you think is still available in the range of these two picks?
Inevitable Lane Hutson question ;
We obviously know size played a big factor on why he fell down to late 2nd round but was there other worrying question marks about him at the time of the draft and if so, how has it evolved since then ? I know you were pretty high on him, do you like what you see concerning his developpment (outside of the amazing stats obviously)
Hi Will, thanks for doing this AMA! Who do you think are the most overrated and underrated prospects in our pipeline?
Can you tell us what you think of will smith and his potential? Should he be the habs target if we do not draft in the top 5?
Habs have 5 picks in the 4/5th rounds right now and may aquire more mid round picks.
Who do you see as high value picks that may still be available in the 4th or 5th round?
Who’s the real USDP guy to get and who benefits the most from playing with the others (Draft stock wise)? (Smith, Moore, Leonard, Perreault)
Let’s pretend the top 4 are off the board come draft day.
1) Smith vs. Yager vs. Benson?
2) what’s your take on Dvorsky. He’s seems to be the highest bust potential to me.
3) What were your expectations for Slafkovsky this year. Has he progressed as expected or did he join the show too early?
4) any of the defenders worth taking with floridas pick? Only one that really interests me is Reinbacher
Hi Will thanks for doing this, and thanks for the mod team for setting this up. I was hoping you could answer a few questions about the upcoming draft.
Which player have you had the hardest time getting a read on?
Who is your Brad Lambert of this year, ie the guy you are boldly putting higher than everyone else?
Assuming the Habs pick between 5 and 10 who would you try to select if you were Kent Hughes.
Love the work you do, thanks again.
Edit: spelling
How many draft eligible players this year, would go first overall last year
Hey Will, thanks for doing this.
I’ve heard a lot about this being the deepest draft in years. I know a little about the projected top 10, but I’m wondering if you think that there any any projected late first rounders that people are currently sleeping on.
Let’s say we sadly do not win the lottery:
You get the **6th, 14th (Florida’s pick) and 29th (From future Edmundson trade)** pick as the habs. You take in consideration our needs: High-end Forward with playmaking abilities, a right-handed defenseman and a goalie.
Who do you realistically pick?
P.S. you can add the 38th pick to that!
Hey Will love your YouTube channel.
1. How would you change your rankings from last draft with the new information gathered this season
2. How is scouting Russian players going? Is the KHL weaker this year?
3. Who do you think will ultimately be taken 2nd?
4. How deep is this draft for high end talent?
Last year I was pretty hyped about Cameron Allen but this year he has fallen quite a bit, what do you think of his potential? what would you say is the biggest reason he fell so much?
Hey Will, I discovered you last summer and love your work. The effort you put in is immediately noticeable and hope you know it doesn’t go unappreciated.
My question is on Jordan Harris, who is currently having a really impressive rookie season, and is imo the habs best 5v5 d by far. Was wondering what your thoughts on him in his draft year were? And what are some things to look for as his game develops?
Are we allowed two or more questions? If so…
It seems like there is very little talk of goalies in this draft. Is it because it’s so deep for forwards that goalies are getting “pushed down” the ranking? Do you think it would be wise to use a second round selection on Michael Hrabal? Is there a world where he is gone in the first round or is he obviously still on the board on day 2?
Where do you think Hrabal and Bjarnsson go? And how good do you think they end up?
Hi everyone! Just about to get settled in to answer as many questions as I can! Great to see you all in here and I’m really excited to get going.
Thanks for doing this, love your videos! Who would you rank as the top 5 prospects in the Habs system right now?
Do we have long term solution for goaltending anywhere in our system, or will we have to draft/trade for a franchise goalie?
What would be the most underrated first pick in your top 32 this year compared to other lists out there? Just like you had Hutson in first round, who do you think stands out?
Who were your top 3 prospect in the 2022 nhl draft and where would you rank them in this 2023 class if they would be 1 year younger?
Are you on team Bedard the centre or team Bedard the winger?
We as Habs fans always overhype our own prospects. Looking at last year’s prospects, and your previous projections, can you give an assessment on our they are doing better/worse than expected??
What do you think about the defensemen crop in this year’s draft? I know about Reinbacher, Simashev and Sandin-Pelikka but are there other names to keep an eye on? Do you think any of them will go top 10?
Based on everything we’ve seen so far, where would you rank Slafkovsky in the 2023 draft? What would you say is his floor/realistic projection/ceiling? I find it so hard to put a label on his possible range of outcomes so curious to see what you think and if any of your thoughts have changed since the draft.
I think that’ll be it for me today! Thanks so much to everyone who asked questions. You can follow me and ask whatever you like whenever here:
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