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While everyone wants their favourite team to load up on big power forwards
that can score lots of goals, there aren’t many of those available in most
drafts and this one is no exception.  What this crop of prospects does have
though is a fair amount of players with decent size that bring some skill and
physical play to the table.  One of those is Quebec Remparts winger Adam
Erne, a player who might be around when the Habs make their first pick.

Left Wing
Born: April 20, 1995 – North Brandford, CT
Height: 6’0"    Weight: 210 lbs    Shoots: Left
ISS Rank: 37    THN Rank: 13    CSB Rank: 26 (NA
skaters)

Statistics

Erne is a player who doesn’t have one element of his game that stands out
positively amongst the rest but also doesn’t overly struggle in any area either. 
His shot has been praised by scouts (both in terms of release and power) and he
plays an aggressive north-south style.  Even though he isn’t the tallest,
he plays a physical game and can take a hit well.  Erne also isn’t afraid
to drive to the net and provide traffic in front of opposing goalies, something
that the Habs could certainly use more of.

Scouts are all over the map when it comes to skating though.  Some call
it one of his biggest strengths, others suggest it’s a weakness that needs some
refining.  There are also some concerns with the way his play dropped
off as the year went on.  After picking up 50 points between September and
December (38 games), Erne had just 22 in the final three months (30 contests),
leading to some questions about his conditioning.  It also led to him being
dropped 13 spots in the NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings (he was 13th
midway through the year).  Although his defensive awareness isn’t bad by
any stretch, his effort at that end could stand to be improved.

In terms of his overall NHL potential, Erne probably isn’t going to be a top
line winger down the road.  However, his style of play – in particular, his
willingness to drive the net and score in tight – lends itself well to the pro
game so he should be able to carve out a nice career for himself as a quality
second liner.  At the back end of the first round, that would be a quality
acquisition for Trevor Timmins and the Canadiens’ scouting brass.