Yes please

That's not happening, Wright's the better center and as such, we pick him, no reason to go for Cooley because of play styles

Interesting

Upside comps -
Wright - Patrice Bergeron
Cooley - Nate MacKinnon

Downside comps -
Wright - Nolan Patrick
Cooley - Sonny Milano

I think its a tougher call than people think.

The downside of Wright is being reported as ROR or RNH but you are right it is a tough call but the Habs are not in a position where they should gamble on Cooley being Mac and not Milano.

I used Milano, since I think I think his downside would be as speedy winger.

But I don't know how Wright's downside is ROR or RNH? ROR may be closer to his upside.
Nolan Patrick was pretty much in same boat as Wright a few years ago...he was supposed to be the safe pick. High Floor 2C.

Why is he a gamble more than Wright? Cooley has shown since the last 2 seasons that he is as elite as anyone in this class. Hes a guaranteed 60 pts C with elite skating and puck skills (which sells tickets aka Cole Caufield). The question with Cooley is wether he can become a top 10 c in the league 5 years from now.

Wright is most likely to become a 60pts 2C with not much more potential to put more pts. And his praised defensive game isnt heads above Cooleys either. But hey, most fans only look at his 39 goals scored 2 years ago (which was better than McDavid at the same age) and think MTL cant pass on that guy.

I really hope Hughes wont feel pressure to take Wright

I’m confused wasn’t Wright projected to be really damn good, like high end 1C if he hit his potential. What happened?

That’s a no from me. A young centre who already plays a 200 foot game is something you don’t pass up

Covid happened and people had more time on their hands to create problems.

Yeah I don't know how they figure out the downside but that is what I have been hearing lol.

Drafting Wright being a hot take is as Habs fanbase as it gets.

He looked good when he scored 39 as a 15 yo but since then has disappointed. Just watch some of his games and youll see how of a non factor he is. He also never seems to win one on one in the OHL, so imagine in the NHL. Medias saying hes the second coming of Bergeron probably only watch him play once or twice haha. He was aweful at the WJC, aweful in his first 35 games in the OHL this year and bad in the playoffs so far. Hes really meh for a 1st OA projected player.



Cooley can play a 200 ft game too… He also fits the type of player Hughes wants to add and is way much fun to watch.

Cooley also has a high ceiling. So arguably one could say both guys could be in the #1 OA spot. '

Wright is the safe pick but Cooley ceiling one could argue is higher if all goes well with his development.

While I feel Wright is gonna end up a Hab who knows what Hughes decides.

Did you actually watched some Wrights game? Because I did and hes an absolute non factor 9/10 games. Do yourself a favor and build your own opinion by actually watching more than highlights and more importantly, without basing your judgement on the medias.

lol don't try to act like you're smarter or wiser than the rest.

Of course I watched Wright. I also watched Cooley a handful of games. I'm capable of saying he's a terrific player, but Wright is the superior prospect.

Cooley's dynamic offensively, but he's going to end up playing the wing on the top-6 is he reaches his full potential. You're willing to bypass a surefire top 6 C, a position this franchise desperately needs, for the potential flash.

Colley played 71 (I could be off a game or two - the exact number escapes me) more games than Wright, clearly impacting development. That said, Wright is still the consensus top eligible prospect. That says a whole lot about where they are. Wright does small things that other prospects don't do. Just because you don't notice how he creates space for his linemates away from the puck, you say he shows no competitive spirit.

Regardless, this is your preference. I don't like it, but I sleep well at nights knowing you'll never be the GM of my favourite franchise.

Take good care, son.

Wright hasn't played up to expectations.
Cooley and Slafkovsky have played very well against older competition.

Would recommend Bob McKenzie's three pieces on draft

Sept 2021: "Let’s make one thing clear from the get-go: The 2022 NHL Draft is the Shane Wright Draft. The Kingston Frontenacs’ centre is the unanimous No. 1 on TSN’s Pre-Season 2022 NHL Draft Rankings. Ten out of 10 scouts surveyed by TSN identified the 6-foot, 185-pound Burlington, Ont., native as the clear-cut choice. And, until further notice, they say it’s not even close." “No. 1 this year is his to lose,” said an NHL team head scout.

Jan 2022: "It is still the Shane Wright Draft. For now, anyway. To be clear, though, the Kingston Frontenac centre’s top-prospect status is by no means a sure thing...Two forces appear to be at work here — Wright’s so-so performance thus far this season combined with the other top prospects, who could conceivably challenge him for No. 1, not fully seizing the opportunity. Wright’s game has been, to varying degrees, viewed as underwhelming, especially when weighed against the high expectations coming into the 2021-22 season. High expectations, one should add, that Wright created for himself by his outstanding play prior to this season. It isn’t that Wright has been a bust or that scouts are skeptical of him as a high-end NHL prospect. He’s fully expected to be a good NHL player, but the scouts are looking for more great than good from the No. 1 overall pick. Wright’s game this season has lacked any sort of “wow” factor or “dynamic” aspect. All of which has come as a rather notable surprise."

May 2022: "The race for No. 1 in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has tightened up considerably...Wright would appear to be staring down two legitimate threats for first overall."

Its especially notable when you read his pieces in contrast to 2017 when Nolan Patrick was long assumed to be unanimous #1

Sept 2016: "Until someone proves otherwise, this will be termed the “Nolan Patrick Draft." On the first point, Patrick is clearly No. 1 on TSN's Top 15 preseason draft rankings. Ten out of 10 scouts surveyed by TSN had him at No. 1 and no other prospect was close to him in voting. "It's Patrick's spot to lose at this point," said one NHL head scout, "but this is a much different draft class than the last two." Patrick certainly has the numbers you would expect from a potential No. 1 overall pick.

Jan 2017: "How did this happen?"

the answer is simple, there is no such thing as upside or downside comp and everyone who thinks they mean anything should not be involved in making draft decisions.

The year off, I think, is understated as a factor in Wrights decline.

Cooley could end up on wing, but not because of an inability to drive a line, but because of his ability to get around defenders.
He plays high-motor, high-speed, high-IQ game...which is why I like the Nathan MacKinnon comps.

Wright was supposed to be the complete package, but he just hasn't been this year. Under 1.0 ppg on the road. Under 50% face-offs.
I feel like scouts have gave Wright a very long leash because of COVID. But have also put unrealistic expectations on him.
Its hard to show "complete" when you are only playing the same 7 opponents over and over and over....

There is such a thing as upside comps, downside comps.
Scouts have to evaluate 100's of players...and often times the best way to take large sets of information is to reduce them down to the most recognizable form.

I totally agree and understand that, but Wright is just a better prospect. People are imagining Cooley at C. Take a look at the top 50 C's in the league and try to find a guy aside from Point (I'll even include Gourde in this) who's 5'10" or under. He's just not built for the position at the NHL level. Cooley's talent is undeniable, but you can't sit here and say Wright isn't worthy of the 1st.

People keep looking for generational. Generational is once a decade if we're fortunate (I'll admit though that we've had a great run of high end talent these past few years!). Habs fans are starved for something to cheer about and just because Wright isn't a McDavid or a Hughes, they're coming up with any unreasonable justification to not pick the best player available.

These public amateur prospects lists mean nothing. Every NHL team has their own list. I'll let the professionals do their thing and select the kid they believe is the best player, who in my opinion is Wright.

i disagree unfortunaly, usually player comp are to reflect their playing style, not potential.

Height is not that indicative anymore. You have to draft for the NHL that is coming, not the NHL that has been. The game is transitioning. Point, Gourde, Crosby, Hughes, Suzuki, Trocheck and many of the younger guys, Krebs, Newhook, Rossi, Perfetti, Eklund, etc. Besides, Cooley is listed at 5'11" so maybe an inch or two between him and Wright?

My assessment of these players is limited to a handful of games a year. Maybe more if they are at world juniors (if there were a world juniors). I am relying mostly on what 'experts' tell me. So I still have Wright at #1, but am just trying to stay open to the idea that Cooley, Slafkovsky, Nemec may be in the picture here.

There is no rule one way or another.
Public draft observers will often footnote with such, "stylistically, not potential" as CYA.
But in reality, how can we interpret otherwise?

If I told you....

Matthew Wood, is a big junior-A forward with a lethal shot, making a strong case for top-10 next year. Plays a lot like Auston Matthews.

Will Smith, is an underager on NTDP who is quick, handsy forward with great instincts. Also a candidate for top-10. Plays like Joe Pavelski.

Are you going to question why I didn't say Wood should be "Top-1" because Matthews is better than Pavelski? No, you'd get it.

We'll learn his actual size soon enough at the combine, but this isn't limited to height. I didn't express it properly in my previous comment, but he's just not physically built as a pro C. Regardless, I believe his game would be better suited to the wing where he could simply focus on driving offense with his creativity and skill. Don't get me wrong: I've always come away thoroughly impressed with Cooley every time I've seen him. What I won't stand for is this Wright disparagement from ppl who have no appreciation for the talent the young man has.

Everyone has their "guy" and I respect that. Heck, my guy is Jiricek but I've got a man crush on giant, physical, offensive RHD's! Unfortunately, NHL teams arent sitting around looking through Dobber or EP like us. There are only 32 lists that matter and we don't have access to them.

I genuinely respect your opinion and commend you for keeping an open mind. I just didn't appreciate this guy's assumption that I don't know what I'm talking about because "I can't think for myself". Putz.