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Montreal Canadiens Draft Smart With Noah Juulsen

By Lissa Albert |

Montreal Canadiens Draft Smart With Noah Juulsen

In the first round of the NHL Draft 2015, the Montreal Canadiens have drafted defenseman Noah Juulsen, 26th overall.

Many were banking on the Habs drafting a forward; after all, scoring is an issue and with Max Pacioretty doing the lion’s share of scoring, the Habs are in need of scorers.

However, Trevor Timmins is a guy who looks forward. Under the guidance of general manager Marc Bergevin, the team is restocking its future.

After Nathan Beaulieu – who was signed to a two-year contract extension just this month – and Jarred Tinordi – who has yet to be re-signed – there is a need for defensemen.

Juulsen is an excellent pickup. He plays in the WHL for the Everett Silvertips. If that team sounds familiar, it’s because his current teammate is Nikita Scherbak, 2014 first-round pick for the Canadiens.

So, who is Noah Juulsen?

He’s a 6’1 d-man, was ranked at 22nd by the NHL’s Central Scouting and was the Silvertips’ highest-scoring defenseman last season, with 9 goals and 43 assists (68 games).

As soon as Juulsen was announced by Trevor Timmins, Twitter lit up with reaction. Some were baffled at the pick, others who had information ready to go provided positive reaction:

Juulsen was seen quite a bit by Bergevin and his scouting team, as they watched Scherbak with the Silvertips. Interviewed directly after the pick, Bergevin stated that Juulsen will play another two years in Juniors – at the very least – and that gives him time to develop.

According to his coach in Everett, Juulsen is:

a strong, two-way defender, capable of playing a tough, physical game with the ability to move up in the play to get in on the offensive rush.

He’s dedicated, and showed his potential early.

At the age of 16, he secured a spot on the Silvertips’ roster and slotted into a top-four defensive pairing as a rookie, something his coach said is “rare in the WHL.”

According to at least one WHL analyst (who ranked Juulsen #6 for the 2015 Draft), Juulsen has a “massive shot”.

Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek’s take:

Fantastic skater with a big shot from the point. Able to play big minutes against top competition. Loves the physical game and when he fills out he’ll be scary back there.

McKeen’s Hockey has only glowing assessment of Juulsen:

For those who are unhappy that the Habs did not choose a forward, remember this: Andrei Markov – 37 years old – will likely be retired by the time Juulsen is ready to come up to the Canadiens, or even just the farm.

With Markov aging, or out of the NHL, and Beaulieu and Tinordi already well into their NHL careers, the team will need talented d-men. Juulsen provides that and more.

Take a look at his numbers here – he improved exponentially from last season – going from 10 points to 52 – and will only get better.

There will always be those who believe right now is more important than the future. Luckily, Trevor Timmins isn’t one of those. He’s a smart guy, he’s not led the Habs astray with his picks – and if you need proof of his insight?

Just check out who he drafted in 2005, 5th overall pick – a pick that has announcers groaning, moaning and criticizing; this video, in retrospect, is quite funny:

So, trust in Timmins. This is a smart pick, a forward-thinking selection, and one that will likely prove to be a lucrative one in the future.

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