DISCLAIMER
I KNOW SQUAT ABOUT THE DRAFT OR PROSPECTS. I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR THE HABS TO DRAFT ANYONE IN PARTICULAR
So most of us remember that quote from last year's draft (https://youtu.be/Bh3dmmo5S2k?si=YJ91ZgUlxSfQfEK9&t=787) and I while I was riding my bike yesterday, listening to Basu and Godin, I had a flash.
I kept thinking about how this front office, so far, like to draft players they think won't be available as free agent signing or trade later on. That's why, if still available, I wouldn't it put it pass them to draft Anton Silayev.
Anton Silayev, for those who don't know, is a LHD, sure, but 6'-7", skates like the wind and has probably some offensive hidden in him. You can read more about him here: http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Anton-Silayev
So I ask you, which one of those is the "Unicorn" or the player harder to get later on ?
- The 5'-11" talented winger that could end up as a 1st liner (Demidov)
- The 6'-3" talented center that might be injury prone, that could be a borderline 1st line center (Lindstrom)
- The 6' hard-nosed center that, while talented, is playing with a lot of poise and meanest, probably a 1st/2nd line center (Iginla)
- The 6'-7" though, mean, quick LHD that could end up being a 1D ? (Silayev)
I think the Unicorn is Silayev, and that's why I think there is a chance the Habs draft him at #5, if still available.
Again, not saying that's who I would pick (because at the time, I had Zadina before Tkachuk, Wright before Slaf, and Michkov before David…), but I'm saying it's possible.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
by Jpnator
19 Comments
Speaking of unicorns, I can see Bobrov wanting Miroslav Satan Jr. in round three or four. He’s a giant (tallest forward in tbe draft) and has bloodlines. And similar to Florian Xhekaj, he’s likely available when most of the top prospects are gone.
Edit: but yes, Silayev will be an option for us if he’s available at 5, especially since that likely means Demidov and Lindstrom are gone.
If I’m HuGo, if Demidov’s there at 5 you take him. If he’s not then I like Iginla. Silayev’s tempting but by taking another defender they potentially miss out on the game-breaker they need.
If the offense isn’t obvious in lesser leagues it’s not happening
The NHL is not where you find your offence if you can’t score against schlubs
I love your train of thoughts ! Pretty nice way to see the draft ! I still feel like they need to get offense over defense tho
My order of preference:
1. Demidov
2. Lindstrom
3. Silayev
4. Iginla
5. Catton
(Assuming Levshunov is off the table by #5).
Everyone here is really underestimating the difficulty of the KHL.
Most points before 18 in KHL history:
1. Silayev – 11
2. Tarasenko – 10
3. Kaprizov – 8
4. Kuznetsov – 8
He’s also a 6’7 dman whose defense is his best attribute. He should go top 3 easily.
Habs will probably have whichever forward is left between Lindstrom and Demidov.
Ya, its so tough to find 6’7” left handed defensmen…
I couldnt imagine a summer where you have players like Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers, or Joel Edmundson were available as UFAs. Just unheard of..
You know what players never become UFAs? The best ones…
Obviously everyone will want Silayev if he is gonna be the next Hedman, but he needs to add way more to his game in order to be in that convo. Plenty of big D that skate well never make it in the NHL because hockey is more than size and speed.
Regardless, we’re getting a great talented player!
One thing to consider is that the defense market is crazy right now. So, what’s made it easier for me to warm up to another defensive pick, is that Hughes could afford to trade away a couple of good defensive prospects, as opposed to only one and get the high end scoring.
Either way. I am prepared for a defensive pick this year since the pedigree seems to be very good. I still wish we just picked a forward last year. Reinbacher might be good, but we could’ve had someone like Ryan Leonard or Zach Benson (outside of the Mitchkov pick).
*sigh*
Last night, The Hockey Guy released a vid of his mock draft and he put Silayev at 5th because he’s big and he argued the Habs shouldn’t missed this opportunity if Silayev is available.
I understand your point, but no. We have too many LHD prospects. If Kent Hughes draft him, then I’m expecting trades this summer. There is no room anymore for a LHD.
TL:DR; Silayev at 5th is a terrible choice because we’re full to the brim of LHDs.
I have a new draft crush on RD Charlie Elick. (For 26th) Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
He’s big 6’3, 200lbs. And every report I read says he’s a fantastic skater skates like an offensive D but he’s a stay at home guy. But what jumped out at me is how every writer makes it painfully obvious that this kid chooses violence. That he enjoys running people over.
I don’t mind it, I can see the validity and argument for just about 5-6 players at #5.
The only conflict I have with that opinion is the state of the Habs D pipeline right now, do we already a player who fits the mold of Silayev? I think we do (at least at their floor potential) and not that those players aren’t important but I look to Arpon’s article about their stance on some of the D in this draft.
If the Habs are backed into a corner and Lindstrom and Demidov are gone could they look at a D? I know Arpon had some thoughts that they would be interested in a puck moving D along the lines of Buium or parehk.
My order: Lindstrom, Demidov, Catton, Iginla, Silayev
Silayev is definitely a unicorn, but so raw.
Not happening
If he was RHD maybe
Demidov>Lindstrom>>>>Buium>Parekh>>>Silyayev>Catton>Iginla
Just cuz it’s a unicorn doesn’t mean he’s good, thanks for coming to my Ted talk
Silayev is the only one mostly talked in the top-10 everywhere I don’t want. Way too limited in offence, and nothing exceptionnal about him other than his height and maybe his skating.
Silayev doesn’t show enough offense to be the next Chara. He’s more likely to be the next Oleksiak
We would for sure at least consider him, he fits the profile of a big skilled player with room to grow that the FO seems to love.
I’m still pretty sure that at least one team in the top 5 is going to see a 6’7 great skating dman and convince themselves that he’s the next Chara/Hedman.