Normally, one of our traditions on the day after the draft is our draft grades. However, with free agency coming so quickly after, I wanted to let the dust settle a bit before diving in. With that in mind, having had some time to ponder each pick, here is the report card.
The Habs didn’t waste much time getting a deal done with their top pick in this month’s draft, announcing the signing of Kaiden Guhle to a three-year, entry-level contract.
With many of the impact free agents remaining available in a slow-developing market, the Habs have added a player for Laval, inking Brandon Baddock to a one-year, two-way contract.
With free agency now just a day away, the Habs took care of another one of their restricted free agents, announcing the re-signing of Noah Juulsen to a one-year, two-way contract.
The Habs were busy on the second day of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, making seven more selections as well as three trades. As always, here are the details, stats, and scouting reports for each one.
While GM Marc Bergevin wasn’t hiding the fact that he was open to trading the 16th pick, he opted to keep it as the Canadiens selected defenseman Kaiden Guhle from Prince Albert of the WHL.
If the Canadiens are looking to shore up their wing position with the sixteenth pick in the draft, then Lukas Reichel is just the type of player they should target. Although he is a junior-aged player, he completed in the top German league against men last season and fared very well. His skating and hockey sense are both excellent and his versatility helps make him a safe choice.
At the NHL level, right wing isn’t the deepest position for the Habs with left wingers often playing out of position. However, there is help on the horizon in the prospect cupboard.
What the Habs could use is a game-breaking scorer for their top six, and Connor Zary could give them they need if he’s still on the board at the 16th pick on Tuesday night.
Hendrix Lapierre represents a high risk, high reward player as a first-round draft pick. He’s a forward the Canadiens are likely to know much about since he’s played in the QMJHL the past two seasons.