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Montreal Canadiens: Getting Higher on ESPN’s Prospect Ranking

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 20: General view of the Bell Centre prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre on April 20, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 20: General view of the Bell Centre prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre on April 20, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Montreal Canadiens had three prospects on their top 100 ranking of NHL prospects, but there’s a good possibility they rank higher as soon as next year.

It’s one thing to think you draft well, but another thing to have others recognize it. The Montreal Canadiens got that recognition with the latest NHL Prospects Rankings. Corey Pronman of ESPN ranked 100 prospects of NHL teams and included some honourable mentions as well.

In the article, Pronman only looked at players who have played less than 25 games in a single season or less than 50 in their career. Fortunately, the Canadiens had three of their prospects included in the ranks and one honourable mention.

Honourable Mention: Noah Juulsen

This may be a difference of opinion here. Many Habs fans, myself included, would consider Noah Juulsen to be their top defensive prospect. In fact, if the Canadiens didn’t add so many defencemen this offseason, he could’ve been one of the few legitimately challenging for a roster spot.

His style of play as a blue-liner matches the style that head coach Claude Julien asks for. He’s a defence-first player. That could be a reason for why his point totals haven’t been as high with Everett Silvertips of the OHL. However, Juulsen will probably be making his pro debut with the Laval Rocket this season.

Related Story: Can Noah Juulsen Make the Team?

Rank #87: Victor Mete

Victor Mete is in some aspects the opposite of Juulsen. He’s usually praised for his puck-moving ability, skating, and overall offensive game. His main con by many is his size. The 19-year-old stands at five-foot-ten and 181 pounds. However, as the old saying goes, “Size can be worked but skill is innate”.

Rank #61: Joni Ikonen

It’s hard to think of Joni Ikonen as being in the later half of any ranking after what Montreal Canadiens fans saw at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Ikonen finished the tournament with five points in six games including scoring a hat-trick against Sweden.

Related Story: Ikonen Scores a Hat-Trick at the WJSS

The Habs drafted the Finnish center late in the second round this past draft, but he may very well be one of the most skilled. To make it better, Ikonen is a center, which is definitely an area of need in the organization.

Rank #36: Ryan Poehling

The Canadiens’ first round pick in 2017 Ryan Poehling was the highest ranked prospect from the organization. Pronman had nothing but good things to say about the center’s hockey sense and defensive game. However, the problem with him is similar to what most prospects face at that age. Their skating.

That being said, Poehling was another Habs’ prospect to have another great performance at the Summer Showcase. The hope is that the 18-year-old can continue to develop in college and be ready for the NHL in the future.

Related Story: Poehling's Performance at the WJSS

Room For Improvement

So this is where these four Canadiens prospects sit now. However, their stock will rise with another year of play (it’ll also help that some of the players on the list wont be considered prospects anymore but that’s besides the point).

I fully expect Juulsen to be included in the top 100 the next time a ranking is made. He has both the size and the hockey IQ to excel as a defencemen at the next level. Juulsen wont be out of place in the AHL and will definitely be a call-up option for the Montreal Canadiens in case of an injury.

Poehling and Mete will also see improvement in their games this year. If the WJSS was any indication, Poehling can score more points. Additionally, Mete will hope to become a more complete player and contribute to his own end just as well as he contributes to the score sheet.

Ikonen is going to be the Habs prospect who climbs the most. The 18-year-old has been the top line’s center for KalPA for their past couple of preseason games. He’s been pointless in them, but the points will come as he gets deeper into the regular season. Ikonen could get to as high as the 30s in the next ranking.

At the end of the day, it’s Pronman’s own analysis but also his opinion. Others could value them at different positions, but the most important thing is that fans see improvement. Looking at what the Montreal Canadiens have in their pool, improvement is a sure thing.

Next: Prospect Competition at Training Camp

What did you make of the prospect ranking? Where could the Habs prospects finish next year? Let us know what you think down below!

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