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Canadiens Draft Options: Keiffer Bellows

By William Mccomb

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Noah Juulsen on stage with team executives after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Noah Juulsen on stage with team executives after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Draft day is closing in and with so many options to choose from, the Montreal Canadiens could look to a past name as their top choice.

The name Keiffer Bellows may ring a bell for most Canadiens fans and there is good reason for that. Keiffer is the son of Brian Bellows, an ex-Minnesota North Star who also won a Stanley Cup with the 1993 Canadiens.

Brian also holds the distinction as the last Canadiens player to score 40 goals in a season. While Brian was a very good goal scorer for most of his career, his son Keiffer will look to continue where his father left off.

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Draft Rankings/Mock Drafts

Sportsnet – 20th

Draft Site – 14th

ISS – 17th

McKeen’s – 23rd

TSN Mock Draft – 15th

Hockey Prospect – 18th

Future Considerations – 16th

Keiffer Bellows is a pure goal scorer. The proof is in the fact he scored 50 goals for the US Development Team in just 62 games. Bellows also put his goal scoring skills on display at the World Under-18’s with 5 goals in 7 games.

He is dominating minor hockey in similar fashion to his father. Though Keiffer won’t be the #2 overall pick like his father, he should be able to develop and contribute at the NHL level.

It kind of confuses me as to why more scouts aren’t ranking Keiffer higher on their lists. He has advanced goal scoring talent and possesses strong puck handling ability plus solid speed. Yes, his defensive game needs work but a player who can put the puck in the net as easily as Keiffer does not come around very often.

Bill Placzek of Draft Site is higher than most on Keiffer and explains why in his scouting report of the young center:

"a hard driving power player who also has skill. He is strong on the puck, shows a separation gear. Plays passionately. Can stickhandle in tight spaces is slippery on the attack, and able to go wide on defenders. He has quick jump in his stop/starts. His main attribute is his shot. A goal scorer. He has one of the best shots in the draft. He lets it go lightning fast and hard, and with accuracy. Needs to continue to shore up his game in his own end, his play when he doesn’t have the puck, and better commitment to his defensive zone responsibilities. And you have to wish he could just be a little more physical in all phases."

Joe Curtis of Elite Prospects echoes Bill’s praise in their report:

"Kieffer Bellows is a skilled power forward that can dominate games. Possesses high end puckhandling ability as well as a crisp, accurate release on his shot. Proficient forechecker and loves to win puck battles, which stands out as a consistent part of his game. Strong skater that can bull through the opposition or go around them. Drives the net hard and is a decisive finisher. All-in-all, a competitor that punishes the opposition physically, as well as on the scoreboard"

Potential Fit With The Canadiens

I’m a pretty big fan of Keiffer Bellows. I like the goal scoring ability and his ability to knock opposing players off the puck. I’m not too worried about a prospect lacking in defensive ability as that can be taught. What can’t be taught is natural scoring ability and Bellows has loads of it.

Next: Canadiens Draft Options: RW Julien Gauthier

I firmly believe Keiffer Bellows fits the Canadiens organization like a glove. His scouting profile reads eerily similar to Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty. This was Pacioretty’s prospect profile via Hockey’s Future:

"He is a good power forward with an above averages skill set. He’s a good skater with quick feet. He handles the puck very well, has a good shot and has a quick release. Has the size and tenacity to be a force on the ice, just needs to learn when and where to apply it with consistency."

There are obvious differences but the key similarities ring true for both players.

If the Canadiens want Bellows in their organization, they can easily draft him at 9th overall. However, based on his draft rankings and the mock drafts out there, they could probably trade down a few spots and still get Bellows.

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