As the NHL Combine occurs this week in Buffalo, it represents the perfect opportunity for Trevor Timmins and the Montreal Canadiens Management to interview and further evaluate the top prospects of the 2015 draft. There is no question that the Canadiens greatest need is for high end offensive talent, preferably a centreman which is a position that the Canadiens prospect pool is currently quite thin at. This draft is thought to be one of the deepest in years and even with the 26th overall pick there should be plenty of excellent options remaining on the board. Here is a focus on several centremen with top 6 potential. It should be noted that between the various draft ranking sites/experts, it is really anyone’s guess how pick #s 15-30 of the 1st round picks will go...
Jansen Harkins - C - 6’1… , 182 lbs, Prince George Cougars (WHL) Draft Ranking: ISS #25 , NHLCS/NA 15 , #25 Future Considerations , #23 Craig Button 2014-2015 Totals: 70 GP 20 G 59 A 79 PTS
By all accounts Jansen Harkins is a very solid two way center with top six potential. Harkins is a very good playmaker, uses his teammates well, responsible in his own end and strong on faceoffs. A player with high hockey IQ and wait for it, character - one of Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin’s favorite words. Wore the ‘A’ this season in Prince George and has been praised for his leadership skills. Performed very well at the Ivan Hlinka U-18 with 6 pts in 5 games. Could the Habs make back-to-back WHL 1st round picks for the first time since 2004 (Kyle Chipura) & 2005 (Carey Price)? Thomas Novak - C - 6’1… , 179 lbs, Waterloo (USHL) Draft Ranking: NHLCS/NA # 28, Craig Button # 29, # Future Considerations # 37 2014-2015 Totals: 46 GP 14 G 34 A 48 PTS
Thomas Novak started off the hockey season on a fantastic note, leading all scorers at the Hlinka U-18’s with 11 points in 5 games. In Waterloo though he put up good though not great numbers. Novak has high end offensive IQ but could do well to put on more muscle and get that much stronger on the puck as he is already an excellent skater. His defensive game could use some work but I wouldn’t let that scare me away. You can teach a player to become better defensively (see: Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher). You can’t teach offensive skill if the player doesn’t already have the hands and sense.
Colin White - C - 6’0 , 180 lbs, USNTDP (USHL) Draft Ranking: NHLCS/NA # 29, ISS # 15, McKeen’s, Craig Button # 32 2014-2015 Totals: USHL 20 GP 4 G 13 A 17 PTS , USDP GP 54 G 23 A 31 PTS 54
Colin White is also considered to be one of the top two way centers available in the 2015 draft. White may be of average size for his age but he plays big and is strong on the puck and along the boards. White is also said to be one of the best skaters in this year’s draft. In an interview with The Hockey News, White exemplifies why he would be a coach’s dream:
“I try to make it key to play defense before offense,… he said. “If you’re in the defensive zone you’re playing tight and you’re just going to break out easier. I’ve watched a lot of video with coach (Don) Granato on Toews and Bergeron, taking pieces from their games.…
No one is claiming that White will be the next Toews and Bergeron, but those are some excellent role models for how to play a 2 way game. White is also committed to powerhouse Boston College and so his development should only continue to grow.
Joel Eriksson Ek - C - 6’2…, 185 lbs, Farjestad (SWE) Draft Ranking: ISS 20 NHLCS/EU #4, McKeen’s #16, # 13 Craig Button 2014-2015 Totals: Farjestad 34 GP G 2 A 4 PTS 6 - Farj Jr. GP 25 G 21 A 11 PTS 32
Joel Eriksson Ek shot up the draft rankings the second half of the season. At the midway point Eriksson Ek was ranked #22 by NHL Central Scouting, likely reflective of his strong play as an 18 year old playing against men in the Swedish Elite League. Eriksson Ek is known to have an elite shot and play a physical game. Similar to Harkins, he is strong in the faceoff circle and quite responsible in his own end. Eriksson Ek will probably be chosen before Harkins due to his greater offensive potential but stranger things have happened on draft day...
Filip Chlapik - C - 6’1…, 196 lbs, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) Draft Ranking: ISS NHLCS/NA #18, Future Considerations #35, Craig Button #35 2014-2015 Totals: QMJHL 64 G 33 A 42 PTS 75
Filip Chlapik has not been getting a lot of attention in the various draft rankings but the Canadiens should absolutely consider him at #26 if he is still available. Born in Prague, Czech Republic, Chlapik made the decision to come to North America and was selected by Charlottetown in CHL Import Draft. He did not disappoint the Islanders scoring 75 points in 64 games and a big 33 goals. In the Q Playoffs he scored another 9 points in 9 games. Chlapik also performed well at the Ivan Hlinka U-18 Championships with 5 points in 5 games while sporting an ‘A’ for the Czechs. These comments make him sound like a player right up the 8alley for Bergevin and Therrien:
Charlottetown coach Gordie Dwyer: "He's a big body with a heavy shot and he thinks the game really well," Dwyer said. "He's really strong defensively, is a 200-foot player. He's a guy who distributes the puck well and is able to find the open areas and open man on the ice."
NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr "Filip is a very good skater with good vision and puck skills. He always seems to be in the right position on the ice both with and without the puck, he can jump on loose pucks and transition quickly. He's got a good combination of size, skating and hockey sense."
Jack Roslovic - C/RW - 6’1…, 182 lbs, USNTDP (USHL) Draft Ranking: NHLCS/NA #39, McKeen’s #26, #28 Craig Button, #33 Future Considerations 2014-2015 Totals: USHL GP 25 G 11 A 27 PTS 38 USDP GP 65 G 27 A 52 PTS 79
Jack Roslovic worked his way up to play on the 1st line with expected 2016 # 1 overall pick Auston Matthews on the USNTDP team. A versatile player, Roslovic can play center or on the wing. He is known for his speed and playmaking abilities but needs to work on defensive responsibilities in his own end. Some wonder if his numbers were inflated due to playing with Matthews but Roslovic possesses his own offensive skills. A local boy from Columbus, OH perhaps Columbus will be interested in swapping picks with the Canadiens in order to grab local boy. The Canadiens do not have any picks in the 2nd round and Columbus has the 34th & 58th picks.
A couple of these prospects have top line potential (Roslovic & Novak) and would be a threat on offense but they might be a riskier pick. The other suggestions of Harkins, White, Chlapik & Eriksson Ek are more likely to eventually replace Tomas Plekanec as a 2nd line center who can do a bit of everything. While some might say the Habs already have a 2nd line center waiting in the wings with Lars Eller, so far Eller has not done much to prove that he can score 60 points in the NHL…
Next up will be a focus on the potential wingers that could be available to the Montreal Canadiens at #26.
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