As the NHL Draft progressed on day 2, it became obvious that the Montreal Canadiens were making a conscious decision to address their lack of depth on defence by drafting three more in additional to Mikhail Sergachev who they picked 9th overall on Friday night. Without their 2 second round draft picks which they had traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Andrew Shaw, Trevor Timmins (Vice-President of Player Personnel and Director of Amateur Scouting) had to make adjustments on his draft day list. Here is a look at the rest of the Montreal Canadiens class of 2016 draft picks:
Round 3 - Will Bitten - 70th Overall
C/RW - 5’10”, 168 lbs
Team: Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Stats: GP 67 G 30 A 35 PTS 65
Rankings: NHLCS NA # 43, Future Considerations # 28, McKeen’s & Bob McKenzie # 47, #73 ISS
It was almost unanimous that Bitten would be selected in the second round of the draft. For him to fall into the Canadiens hands at #70 overall in the third round was a real stroke of luck. Teams may have stayed away due to Bitten’s size. However, that seems to be the only knock on the young man. He plays a 200 foot game, is a natural skater and dynamic in that he has excellent vision as well a quick release. Bitten had a strong showing at the World Under 18 Championships where he recorded 3 goals and 5 assists in 7 games. Habs fans will love to know that Bitten is a like minded soul, growing up a Canadiens fan. He also gives an astute scouting report on himself (courtesy of Canadiens.com):
“It’s a very good feeling. My family lives in Montreal. The Canadiens have been my favorite team since I was a kid. It’s a feeling that I’ll never forget,” admitted Bitten, who finished the season atop the Firebirds’ scoring list with 30 goals and 65 points in 67 games. “I see the ice really well. I have a good shot. I’m really fast. I never give up. Like this year, I played in Flint where we had a lot of distractions. It’s been a long year, too. I turned 17 and I had an “A” on my jersey this past year. I had a big role, and I think I had a good season.”
If you are not familiar with the situation with the Flint Firebirds this season, it was a tumultuous year for the players having to endure an overzealous owner that fired the head coach twice. The first time the players successfully boycotted against the firing. It is a testament to the leadership of the players, Bitten included that they remained a competitive team until they were eliminated from the playoffs towards the end of the season. Bitten’s points totals likely took a hit as he was not playing with many other highly talented players. Do not be surprised if Bitten gets traded to another OHL team this season where his development would likely take another step forward.
Round 4 - Victor Mete - 100th Overall
D - 5’10”, 165 lbs
London Knights (OHL)
Stats: GP 68 G 8 A 30 PTS 38
Rankings: NHLCS NA #73, ISS # 84, Bob Mckenzie # 75, McKeen’s # 55, #54 Future Considerations
It was widely believed that the Canadiens would have drafted defenceman Samuel Girard of the QMJHL with one of their 2nd round draft picks before they were traded away for Andrew Shaw. Girard is a true powerplay quarterback, offensively talented but small, especially for a defenceman. Since Girard was long gone by the time the Canadiens were up to draft, Victor Mete of the Knights was a very decent consolation prize to pick 100th overall in the 4th round.
Mete is one of the top skaters in the draft. He is an offensive defenceman who can skate the puck up and out of trouble and has a crisp first pass. He needs to work on his play in his own end and build more strength to make it to the next level but the potential is certainly there. Mete won the Memorial Cup with the London Knights this Spring and impressed with 11 points in 18 games, just 3 points less than teammate Olli Juloevi.
Round 5 - Casey Staum - 124th Overall
D - 5’11”, 181 lbs
Hill Murray School (High School in Minnesota)
Stats: GP 12 G 3 A 4 PTS 7
Rankings: NHLCS NA # 159, Future Considerations #149
When it was announced that Casey Staum had been drafted in the 5th round by the Montreal Canadiens, most fans said ‘Who’? Not much is known about Staum. He is supposedly one of the fastest skaters in the draft, similar to Mete. Despite being injured for much of the year, he was still a finalist for Minnesota’s prestigious Mr. Hockey award. He competes hard in all ends and is strong on the puck. Staum is committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha but could play next year in the USHL. It seems as though Staum will be a bit of a project for the Canadiens. However, one wonders if Staum could have been available a little later on in the draft…
Round 6 - Mike Pezzetta 160th overall
C - 6’1” , 205 lbs
Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Stats: GP 64 G 10 A 18 PTS 28
Rankings: NHLCS NA # 197, #66 ISS, #117 McKeen’s, # 158 Future Considerations
Pezzetta will not wow with any offensive capabilities. Instead, he is a grinder. A 3rd/4th line physical, energy player who knows and understands his place on the team. He earned an ‘A’ in only his second year with Sudbury which shows that he has character and the capability to be a strong leader. Traits that we know the Canadiens love.
In an interview with TheSudburyStar.com, Pazetta said:
I think my physical strength and my compete level is what got me drafted today," Pezzetta said. "I never quit and I'm a leader on the ice and I think that's what the Montreal Canadiens liked in me."
Round 7 - Arvid Henrikson - 187th Overall
D - 6’3’, 209 lbs
AIK J18 (Sweden Junior Hockey)
Stats: GP 15 G 2 A 8 PTS 10
Rankings: NHLCS Euro #86
The Canadiens originally did not have a pick in the 7th round but Swedish scout Christer Rockstrom convinced Timmins and Bergevin that they needed to get their hands on Henrikson. A trade with the Winnipeg Jets was worked out as the Canadiens sent their 2017 7th round pick the other way.
Despite putting up good numbers as a defenceman in the junior leagues, Henrikson is considered to be a stay at home defenceman who is physical, has good skating abilities for someone his size and a clean first pass. He is known to be a leader as well, captaining the J18 team this year. Comments from Timmins courtesy of Canadiens.com:
“He’s a late-round guy we believe has flown under the radar. He’s a similar type and style like a Jonathan Ericsson,” mentioned Timmins, referencing the imposing Red Wings defenseman. “We feel he has tremendous upside down the road. He’s one of these picks that hopefully four or five years down the road, we’ll see. Time will tell. We felt strongly that we had to make a move to try and get him in this draft.”
Henrikson will be making the trip to the Canadiens development camp taking place in about 10 days time and so fans and media will get their first look at the big Swede shortly.
Overall, I think the Canadiens did well at the draft. Sergachev should be patrolling the Canadiens blue line sooner rather than later. I would be surprised if he makes the team out of training camp this Fall but expect him to make it a difficult decision when he is 19 years old next season. Bitten is a terrific pick and excellent value at 70th overall. His creativity and development will be exciting to watch. I am not as familiar with Mete but by all accounts he was a solid pick in the 4th. I am not very excited by Staum but here’s hoping that he proves me wrong. Pezzetta has jam and seems to be the type of player you need to win. Perhaps an Andrew Shaw with less offensive acumen. I like taking the risk on the unknown Swede Henrikson in the 7th. A low risk, higher reward pick if he develops and comes over to the NHL over time.
Once the full list of the development camp attendees is released I will pass it on. It is known though that Maxime Fortier, one of the players I mentioned in my QMJHL blog has been invited and will attend. I would have like for the Canadiens to take a chance on his teammate Otto Somppi, Tampa Bay may have gotten another steal with him...
Cheers & follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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