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Habs Stay The Course & Will Select 9th Overall At The NHL Draft |
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The Montreal Canadiens will officially draft at the 9th position this June, right where they were originally slotted to pick. Under the new NHL draft lottery rules, the Canadiens had a 5% chance at moving up and getting the #1 overall pick but they had an even greater chance at dropping down the board. Staying the course at #9 will do just fine...
It may have been slightly heartbreaking though for some fans to learn that the Canadiens were in it right until the end:
The 9th draft spot gives the Canadiens a chance to draft a very good forward with top six potential or a top 2-4 defenceman. The only issue is that it will likely take 1-3 years before that player is ready to step into the NHL. The Canadiens need immediate help though if they want to make the most of the prime years of Carey Price, P.K. Subban and Max Pacioretty. With the Edmonton Oilers falling to the 4th position, trade rumours will be run rampant until June 24th. The Oilers have a real organizational need for a top defenceman. As none are currently ranked in the top 5, it would be almost incredulous if they do not trade their pick to their advantage and move a little lower down where they can appropriately draft a top defenceman.
For now, we’ll assume that the Canadiens will keep their draft position at #9. According to the various draft rankings, here are the players that are currently ranked 9th:
ISS: #9 Michael McLeod - C - Mississauga Steelheads OHL - 6’2” 187lbs
GP 57 G 21 A 40 PTS 61
Future Considerations: #9 Clayton Keller - C - US National U18 Team - 5’10” 170lbs
GP 62 G 37 A 70 PTS 107
McKeen’s Hockey: #9 Mikhail Sergachyov - D - Windsor Spitfires OHL - 6’2” 205lbs
GP 67 G 17 A 40 PTS 57
TSN/Bob McKenzie & Hockeyprospect.com: #9 Jakob Chychrun - D - Sarnia Sting OHL - 6’2” 194lbs
GP 62 G 11 A 38 PTS 49
Sportsnet Damian Cox & TSN Craig Button: #9 Tyson Jost - C - Penticton Vees BCHL 5’11” 192lbs
GP 48 G 42 A 62 PTS 104
In June we’ll take an in depth look at the Canadiens various options but these prospects could look good in a Canadiens jersey.
As an aside, while some Canadiens may not be too pleased that the Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery, in all honesty it is better for the rivalry and the NHL for the Leafs to be competitive again. The Canadiens and Maple Leafs have still not faced each other in the playoffs since the Leafs moved back to the Eastern Conference. The Leafs are on the right track with Mike Babcock behind the bench and a potential top line of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander will be daunting but exciting to watch.
Cheers & Follow Along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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