HabsWorld.net --
The Habs kick off this section of the draft with Pick 17. They have quite a few options that would be helpful here, and that doesn’t even include picks that could slip from higher up the rankings. With so many options in this general area of the draft, it’s forced the Canadiens to speak to many prospects, many of whom believe there is significant interest from the Montreal squad. It should be interesting to see how truthful the perceived interest from the Habs is for some of these prospects.
#17 – Justin Carbonneau
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL) – RW
Start of season rank: 29 Midseason rank: 17
Carbonneau continued his high pace of play throughout the season, producing 89 points in 62 games. He’s unpredictable with the puck, but a little prone to unnecessary risky plays, which isn’t that uncommon for young players with high skill. He’s headed to the NCAA next season, and that might help him in the draft. He has many qualities but needs to work on his commitment to defensive play. The Habs should be very interested in this player, but things were strangely quiet between them and Carbonneau at the combine. To me, it’s more a question of “if the player remains available” than if he’s a fit on the team, but maybe the Habs’ brass knows something more about the player in question. Or maybe they are just trying to throw up a smoke screen to try to influence him getting to their pick.
#18 – Logan Hensler
Wisconsin (NCAA) – RD
Start of season rank: 8 Midseason rank: 16
The list of things Hensler does well is extensive: elite skating, excellent footwork, great defending, and offensive instinct. He also doesn’t shy away from physical play, though at 6’2, there are those who wish that he would initiate the physicality a bit more often. Many comparisons are drawn with Charlie McAvoy here, yet Hensler didn’t have the best season overall, producing 12 points in 32 games playing for a rebuilding team. This has caused him to drop in the rankings. Is this a red flag that the Habs should be wary of? Or is it solely circumstantial and the Canadiens find themselves with a right-handed Kaiden Guhle if they pick him?
#19 – Cole Reschny
Victoria Royals (WHL) – C
Start of season rank: 16 Midseason rank: 24
Reschny put up an impressive 92 points in 62 games in the WHL that should see him ranked higher than 19. He isn’t higher because of his size. The diminutive centre plays with a great motor and skill. This is one of the most “boom or bust” picks in the round. Many of the internet scouts who focus mostly on ceiling are very high on him, but this might be where he ends up being selected. For the Habs who are already small up front, this pick doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, especially when management has been open about their desire to get larger.
#20 – Cameron Reid
Kitchener Rangers (OHL) – LD
Start of season rank: 46 Midseason rank: 20
Reid had an excellent offensive season, putting up 54 points in 67 games in the OHL. Despite this, it is his defensive positioning and IQ that has the scouts raving about this defender. There are questions about the translatability of the offence at the pro level, but not his defensive intelligence. Despite the excellent positioning, he gets puck-focused from time to time and while he isn’t small, he isn’t huge either. For the Habs, this is not a position of need, and the upside is not high enough to reach on a position that is filled for the foreseeable future. Having said that, there is said to be interest here as Reid has been mocked to the Habs by more than one source.
#21 – Cullen Potter
Arizona State University (NCAA) – LW
Start of season rank: 42 Midseason rank: 26
The noise around Potter is just like Reschny. The skill is evident, the size is a concern, and the result is a mixed bag on what teams think about the player. Potter put up 22 points in 35 games in the NCAA. While upgrading his strength is the most obvious of things he needs to work on, his commitment defensively is also a question mark. However, teams love the skating and the offensive capabilities, suggesting that at worst, he’ll become a special teams specialist. Much like Reschny, there just doesn’t appear to be a match here for Montreal.
#22 – Benjamin Kindel
Calgary Hitmen (WHL) – RW
Start of season rank: 49 Mid-Season rank: 29
This is another smaller winger, but he doesn’t fit the typical smaller player profile. His skating is a bit awkward, but he gets around it by thinking the game at an elite level. The offence is without question as shown by his 99 points in 65 games in the WHL this season. His style and projection are often compared to Brayden Point. Once again, with such a clear-cut agenda for size, this does not appear to be a player of interest for the Habs despite the potential to be a late-round steal.
#23 – Malcolm Spence
Erie Otters (OHL) – LW
Start of season rank: 9 Midseason rank: 10
Spence is a big winger who plays an intelligent 200-foot game and appears to have the ability to step up in big games. He’s a fierce forechecker as he has no issue playing to his 6’2 frame. However, his consistency is questioned, as his ability to produce at the pro level. The big winger had a better second half that saw him end with 73 points in 65 games and nine in nine in the playoffs. He plays a very mature game, so a team that is looking for a high-floor player will likely take him ahead of this #23 slot. This isn’t a terrible match for the Canadiens, but it might be a reach with the picks in the middle of the round. They should be able to select a player with a bit more of a higher ceiling.
#24 – Bill Zonnon
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) – LW
Start of season rank: 38 Midseason rank: 31
A tall, lanky forward who has produced 83 points in 64 games for the Huskies. The biggest knock against him is that he lacks consistency. However, expectations are that he will fill out his frame and be a nightmare to play against in the future. He is a complete player which will help his floor as a prospect for the team that ends up taking him. If the Habs believe they can get him to be more consistent, then his power game is of interest. However, much like Spence before him, this might be a reach at 17.
