There are a few factors that play a role involving a player’s success after their junior years. These factors include injuries, size, work ethic and attitude. The Canadiens have a solid group of prospects drafted from the last couple of years, especially the draft of 2013. Here is a ranking list I have strung together of the Montreal Canadiens top young guns that will be making the jump to the NHL in the next couple of years.
1. Jacob de La Rose (drafted 34th in 13’)
LW/C, 20, St. Johns (AHL) 6-2, 190 Prospect Grade: A-
Hailing from Leksand, Sweden, de La Rose is a defensive-minded forward who can play wing and center. He is not the fastest skater but has a high hockey IQ and his ability to read the play and cut off passing lanes is exceptional. His smarts have earned him 33 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season. His playing style is valued more in the bottom 9 and the PK, but can easily play in a top 6 role. If it wasn’t for such a deep Montreal depth chart, de La Rose would have been playing with the Habs this season. NHL: 2016-17
2. Michael McCarron (drafted 25th in 13’)
RW/C, 20, St. Johns (AHL) 6-6, 238 Prospect Grade: B+
McCarron was drafted in hope to end a long list of small Canadiens on the team. His huge 6-6 frame gives him the ability to protect the puck and win battles in the corner. He is a proven leader and was named an alternate captain with the London Knights in junior. Michael is not afraid to throw his body around or drop the gloves as he did do against the Leaf’s Cameron Lizotte in pre-season. NHL: 2016-17
3. Nikita Scherbak (drafted 26th in 14’)
RW, 19, St. Johns (AHL) 6-1, 174 Prospect Grade: B+
Coming over from Russia at the age of 17, knowing minimal English, he joined the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL and has adapted well to the North American game. Scouts say he has tremendous hockey IQ and can pull off plays at such a high speed. Nikita has a great work ethic and anxious to play for the CH. He has the tools to become a top 6 winger but needs to work on his defensive play and to gain more weight and muscle. NHL: 2016-17
G, 20, St. Johns (AHL) 6-1, 176 Prospect Grade: B
D, 23, Montreal (NHL) 6-6, 227 Prospect Grade: B
RW, 20, Frolunda (SHL) 5-11, 163 Prospect Grade: B
D, 18, Everett (WHL) 6-2, 174 Prospect Grade: C+
LW, 21, St. Johns (AHL) 5-10, 182 Prospect Grade: C+
LW, 20, HC Sparta (CZE.) 5-9, 174 Prospect Grade: C
RW, 22, St. Johns (AHL) 5-9, 183 Prospect Grade: C
4. Zach Fucale (drafted 36th in 13’)
G, 20, St. Johns (AHL) 6-1, 176 Prospect Grade: B
Hometown boy from Rosemere, Quebec, Fucale was ranked as the number one goalie going into the 2013 draft. The Canadiens stole him with their pick in the second round. Despite having a down season with the Remparts last year, he managed to capture gold at the World Juniors. His athleticism and focus are incredible but he still needs things to work on in the minors. As most goaltenders, Zach will need a couple more years of development in the AHL with St. John. He does have the potential to become a starting goalie in the NHL one day, but will it be in Montreal? Probably not. NHL: 2018-19
5. Jarred Tinordi (drafted 22nd in 10’)
D, 23, Montreal (NHL) 6-6, 227 Prospect Grade: B
The son of former NHLer Mark Tinordi, has the size and ability to be a top 4 shutdown defenseman, although things are uncertain as of late. He has a dozen of games under his belt with the Habs, but it wasn’t enough to force GM Bergevin’s hand to crack the lineup this season. With a surplus of defenseman and a chance at becoming a Cup contender, Tinordi can be very well on his way out before this year’s trade deadline. He has been a healthy scratch since the beginning of the season.
6. Artturi Lehkonen ( drafted 55th in 13’)
RW, 20, Frolunda (SHL) 5-11, 163 Prospect Grade: B
Yet another good pick in the 2013 draft, the Canadiens took Finnish speedy winger Artturi Lehkonen at number 55. He has an accurate wrist shot, which make him an offensive threat. He plays a 200 foot game and loves to battle in the corners. He’ll need to add some bulk to his frame in order to turn pro. Lehkonen could very well be a top 6 winger, drawing comparisons to Colorado Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg. He’s currently playing in Sweden for Frolunda, but he’ll be over in St. Johns next season and could battle for a roster spot for the Habs.
7. Noah Juulsen (drafted 26th in 15’)
D, 18, Everett (WHL) 6-2, 174 Prospect Grade: C+
Montreal’s latest first round pick, Noah Juulsen, is a tall and lanky right-handed two-way defenseman. Noah is another prospect who needs to get physically stronger but he still very young at 18 years of age. “He moves well with the puck and is good on the power-play. He really has a good shot” said one scout prior to the draft. He will spend time in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips for at least another two years before he make the jump to the AHL. NHL: 2018-19
8. Charles Hudon (drafted 122nd in 12’)
LW, 21, St. Johns (AHL) 5-10, 182 Prospect Grade: C+
Taken early in the 5th round, Hudon was a pleasant surprise when he joined the Hamilton Bulldogs, Montreal’s old affiliate team, as the rookie scoring leader. He is another speedy scoring winger that the Canadiens lack. He has a great shot and has the ability to change speeds which opens up ice for himself and his teammates. With an injury in the Habs lineup, Hudon will definitely be the first one to be called up. He is currently leading the Ice Caps in points this season. NHL: 2015-16
9. Martin Reway (drafted 116th in 13’)
LW, 20, HC Sparta (CZE.) 5-9, 174 Prospect Grade: C
Martin Reway, pronounced Revai, is a small but tremendously crafty and smart winger. His displayed his leadership abilities when captained Slovakia to a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in 2014, a first medal for them at the tournament since 1999. Although his small frame and durability are a concern he has the offensive tools to be a top 6 forward in the NHL one day. Martin is currently dealing with issues in the Czech league with HC Sparta as he is not seeing a lot of ice time with the club. He should be in North America following this season. NHL: 2017-18
10. Sven Andrighetto (drafted 86th in 13’)
RW, 22, St. Johns (AHL) 5-9, 183 Prospect Grade: C
Just like Reway, Sven Andrighetto is another small creative and speedy forward. The Swiss native will need to take his game to the next level if he wants to crack the Canadiens roster. He was called up for a while last year and scored his first career goal in his first game against the Dallas Stars. He continued to impress coach Therrien and was given top 6 minutes alongside Tomas Plekanec and Brenden Gallagher. He was later sent back down to Hamilton. He started this season in St. Johns but was recalled on November 20th due to an injury that sidelined center Torrey Mitchell. NHL: 2015-16
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