Habs Top Nine First Round Mock Draft 2.0

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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 /

Examining the first 9 picks via a Mock Draft to see how the Habs could be affected or involved in the Draft process.

With the NHL draft less than a week away, it’s an exciting time to wonder and speculate who your favorite teams may take in the Draft. Another exciting aspect of the draft is trade speculation and hearing all of the rumors linked to your team.

I will examine each of the first 9 selections while providing analysis and scouting reports. I will also discuss the odds of the Habs moving up in the draft order and which picks and players could be targeted.

You can view my first Mock Draft and compare it to this one. As well, Will McComb did a full 7 round Mock Draft which highlighted each of the Canadiens draft spots.

So without further delay, lets get this Mock Draft started. The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the clock with the first pick.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs First Pick

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Mitchell Marner poses for a photo with team executives after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs go ahead with no surprises and take the best player available in Auston Matthews. He has the potential to be an elite number one center for many years to come and will fit in well with the Leafs exceptional core of young offensive talent. Matthews has dominated at every level he’s played at, including for team USA at the World Championships.

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Here is what Future Considerations thought of Matthews

“Matthews is a strong, powerful player who has the ability to make those around him elevate their games. He is a real good skater with powerful strides and strong jump. He possesses strong vision, excellent possession skills, a strong shot and the ability to create plays out of nothing for himself and his linemates. He is also strong defensively, bringing a good effort level and complete game.”

In my opinion, there is no chance that Matthews will be available to the Habs at the 9th pick, or any chance the Habs move up to the first pick and draft Matthews. There are some rumors that the Coyotes were trying to move up in the Draft but the likelihood of the Leafs trading this pick are slim to none. The Habs won’t trade the necessary assets to move up this high in the Draft.

Next: Winnipeg Jets Second Overall Pick

2. Winnipeg Jets

Patrik Laine . 2. player. 30. . RW. Tappara (SM-Liiga)

The Jets take big power forward Patrik Laine. At 6’4″ and 206 lbs, Laine possesses great power and strength to navigate through traffic on the ice. Laine also has very soft hands to compliment his strength so he can finish off plays around the net. As well, he can use his powerful shot from further out. Like Matthews Laine also dominated for Finland at the World Championships scoring 7 goals and adding 5 assists for 12 points in 10 games.

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Matias Strozyk of Elite Prospects had this scouting report on Laine

“A natural scorer, Laine’s greatest asset is his intimidating shot. He’s not a speedy skater, but possesses power and a long stride, and protects the puck well with his large frame and longer stick. His elite wrist shot is notable for its quick release and his powerful one-timer from the top of the circle is a constant threat on the man-advantage.”

Again, I feel that there is a zero percent chance that Winnipeg moves this pick to anyone. The cost would be more than what the Habs would want to give to the Jets. Also, if the Habs are interested in moving up in the draft, I think it may be for another prospect who may get selected in the next few picks.

Next: Columbus Blue Jackets Third Overall Pick

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Gabriel Carlsson poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number twenty-nine overall pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Columbus Blue Jackets

Jesse Puljujarvi is also a big power forward, who is very a very strong skater who possesses good speed. Puljujarvi has a really powerful shot but he’s known more for his play making ability. Puljujarvi will give the Blue Jackets a top offensive weapon who will be able to make those around him better.

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Mike Morreale of nhl.com had this praise for Puljujarvi

“Puljujarvi is an all-around threat each time he’s on the ice. Puljujarvi, who averages 14:30 of ice time per game, has outstanding hockey sense, is strong in 1-on-1 situations and will take advantage of his long reach. He should form a dynamic combination with Laine for Finland.”

This is where the trade speculation starts growing on draft night. TSN insider Derran Dreger had mentioned that the Blue Jackets were at least listening to trade offers for the 3rd overall pick. However, I feel that the Habs will not want to move up this high again because of the amount of assets it could take to move that far in the draft order.

Next: Edmonton Oilers Fourth Overall Pick

4. Edmonton Oilers

. D. Windsor (OHL). Mikhail Sergachev . 4. player. 148

The Edmonton Oilers are faced with an interesting problem with this pick. Do they draft a player they want or are they forced into drafting a player that they need? Ultimately the Oilers decide to draft from a position of need and take defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. Mikhail is a strong two way defenseman with great offensive skill and soon he will help fill the void on the Oilers blue line.

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TSN’s Craig Button gave this scouting report on Sergachev

“Windsor Spitfires defenceman Mikhail Sergachyov can do it all. He’s an excellent skater with the quickness to jump into the attack and the requisite footwork to operate in tight areas and beat pressure. He has a very good shot and the smarts to get into offensive spots where he can make a contribution. He also can deliver body checks that make life unpleasant for opponents.”

The Oilers seem to be very interested in moving this pick for a bigger forward or trying to get a top 4 defensemen. Peter Chiarelli made it known that he is interested in moving the pick on CHED 630 am radio. The Habs have been linked to the Oilers in trade speculation. I just don’t think the Habs want to part with their defensive corps or their bigger forward prospects like Michael McCarron. Ultimately, I think the Habs won’t make a deal with the Oilers on draft night.

Next: Vancouver Canucks Fifth Overall Pick

5. Vancouver Canucks

C/LW. C. Breton (QMJHL). Pierre-Luc Dubois . 5. player. 104.

With the Oilers picking a defenseman at the fourth pick, this gives the Canucks a dilema between Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Matthew Tkachuk. The Canucks will take Dubois because of the versatility he can bring, as he could play at Center or the Wing.

Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News gave this high praise for Dubois

“Scouts love his combination of size, smarts, edge and competitiveness and with 10 points in his past three games, he is nowhere close to slowing down. Simply put, he’s the most exciting Quebec product since Jonathan Drouin and may have more pro potential thanks to his two-way game.While he is still working on his explosiveness, he has already grown three inches and 35 pounds since Cape Breton drafted him and in the summer, he trains with Tampa Bay strength and conditioning coach Mark Lambert outside Montreal. “

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I believe that this would be the spot the Habs would try to move up, if they are indeed interested in doing so. From Vancouver’s perspective, they only have two picks in the first 4 rounds this year. I think Vancouver would love to move back a few spots and add more picks later in the draft.

The Habs have two 2nd round selections this year and have all their 2017 and 2018 picks. This gives the Habs good ammunition to make a possible move up to the 5th overall spot. I think if the Habs are trading up it would be for Pierre-Luc Dubois as he and Alex Galchenyuk could make an elite 1-2 punch at center for many years to come.

I don’t believe that Marc Bergevin is really interested in making huge risks which could hurt the future of the team, that’s why I have the Canucks going ahead and making a selection. Trading a bunch draft picks for one prospect is a very risky move. However, if the rumors of the Habs wanting to trade up are indeed true, I think this is the spot where they make the move for Dubois.

Next: Calgary Flame Sixth Overall Pick

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Samuel Bennett poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Calgary Flames

112. . LW. London (OHL). Matthew Tkachuk . 6. player

The Calgary Flame are ecstatic to see that Matthew Tkachuk has fallen to the sixth pick and take him in a heartbeat. Tkachuk is a superbly talented forward who lit it up with the London Knights last season. Tkachuck brings great hands and a great shot to the Flames as well as his great play making ability.

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Joe Curtis of Elite Prospects had this to say about Tkachuk

“A multi-dimensional energy winger that plays a pro-style, adaptive game. Well-versed as a guy who can consistently put up points, but also as an agitator who plays with a little bit of bite and nastiness. Skates with excellent balance and speed, outclassing many in his age range. No lack of offensive instincts and knows how to score in many different ways.”

The Habs have zero desire to try and trade up with the Flames with Dubois being gone. If Vancouver were to pick Tkachuk and Dubois would still be available, I think that Marc Bergevin would make a phone call to the Flames to see if they could move up.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Seventh Overall Pick

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brendan Perlini poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Arizona Coyotes

. C. Windsor (OHL). Logan Brown . 7. player. 121

Logan Brown is a huge center at 6’6″and weighing in at 225lbs. Brown could develop into a real difficult player to defend. He may not be the most physical player in terms of checking, but he knows how to use his size and long reach to his advantage. With these physical traits, Logan Brown could develop into a great 2nd line center to play behind Dylan Strome, whom the Coyotes drafted last year at third overall.

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Tyler Parchem of Elite Prospects gave this scouting report of Logan Brown

“Brown is a huge center that excels at both ends of the ice. He can be dominant in the offensive zone but takes care of his own end as well. His 6’6 frame is key to his success as he uses his body to shield his puck and his reach to keep it off other players sticks.”

The Habs are very unlikely at this point to make a trade up two spots with the Coyotes. The Habs are probably disappointed that Logan Brown hasn’t fallen a bit more in the draft because I think the Canadiens really like his potential, his size, and the puck possession style of game that he plays. If Brown does slide by the Coyotes at 7, I think that there is a very strong possibility that he ends up on the Montreal Canadiens.

Next: Buffalo Sabers Eighth Overall Pick

8. Buffalo Sabres

12. . LW/RW. Mississauga (OHL). Alexander Nylander . 8. player

The Sabres have a huge need on defense so Olli Juolevi could easily be the pick here, but I think the Sabres will go with the high offensive potential of Nylander. Alexander Nylander will give the Sabres a highly skilled play making forward who has a deadly shot. Nylander also has great blood lines, being the son of Michael Nylander who was a former NHLer, and brother William Nylander who is currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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Tyler Parchem also had a great scouting report on Nylander

“He’s an excellent skater with a deadly shot, but he can score goals from in close thanks to a ridiculous set of hands. Nylander is able to make smart decisions as he maneuvers through traffic, and his ability to stick handle in and around a dense field of sticks and skates while knowing exactly where his line mates will be makes him an indefensible threat on the rush. He’s impossible to prepare for, as he can beat you with his play making or his heavy shot.”

The Habs are disappointed that the Sabres drafted Nylander and ignored their need on defense. The Atlantic division just got a whole lot more offensive minded with the Leafs picking Matthews with the first pick and now Nylander going to the Sabres. With these picks the Habs could be thinking that they need to add to their defensive depth for the future to stop these future snipers, or to fight fire with fire and land their own offensive weapon.

Next: Montreal Canadiens Ninth Overall Pick

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Nikita Scherbak poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Montreal Canadiens

player. 152. . RW. Val d'Or (QMJHL). Julien Gauthier . 9

Next: Habs Draft Day Targets: Drafting a Winger

Julien Gauthier is a big man at 6’3″ and weighing in at 220lbs. He plays that prototypical power forward game. He also possesses a heavy shot and other great offensive traits. Gauthier is also the type of player that will win in the corners and use his size and strength to come out with loose pucks.

Future Consideration gave Gauthier this commendation

“He is a big, strong winger with a powerful stride and impressive top speed. He is tough to contain when he is at the top of his game. Consistency has been an issue in the past but he remains an enormous prospect with many impressive pro traits, such as a rocket of a shot and terrific vision in traffic. Can be creative with the puck and set up his teammates with well-timed passes; is a beast along the wall and in the corners.”

The Habs are very excited to land Gauthier. He is projected lower in the rankings but with his size and physicality, it makes his upside is off the charts. Gauthier will give the Habs a prospect who is a goal scoring machine and a player who can win battles in the corners Filling two needs that the Habs are desperately trying to fill.

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