The Montreal Canadiens 2018 NHL Draft class is complete. Now the next step is to grow these young prospects and turn them into players.
The 2018 NHL Draft was a wild one for the Montreal Canadiens. But there are a lot of new faces within the organization to get excited about. When it was all said and done, the Habs walked away with 11 prospects, a total they haven’t reached since the 2003 NHL Draft. Ironically, that was Trevor Timmins’ first draft as part of the Habs organization, so it looks like it comes full circle.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi was the guy many people knew. There’s going to be high hopes for what the young centre can become considering how high the Montreal Canadiens chose to take him. Additionally, Jacob Oloffson – drafted in the second-round – had a decent profile around him. Some of the other players taken were a mystery to some extent.
But it’s up to the organization’s Department of Player Personnel to turn those question marks into sentences and paragraphs. That’s the most important part of the team building process. Any team can draft well, but the top ones develop those players for as long as they have them.
That starts on June 28th when the Montreal Canadiens host their 2018 Development Camp in Brossard. Odds are all members of their 2018 Draft Class are there, as well as the ‘older’ prospects looking to make the next jump.
The exciting times are going to continue in Montreal. Save the name of these prospects; there’s a good chance a handful of them pan out if they’re insulated well.
In Case You Missed It
Max Pacioretty changes agencies joining Allan Walsh
The news that Max Pacioretty and Pat Brisson agreed to part ways broke after the draft as he now has Allan Walsh as an agent.
Montreal Canadiens trade Hayden Hawkey to the Edmonton Oilers
Marc Bergevin wasn’t done making moves on Saturday acquiring a draft pick for goaltending prospect Hayden Hawkey.
Morning Links
Brown: A video breakdown of the new, highly skilled Canadiens prospects (The Athletic)
Mitch Brown broke down each prospect taken by the Habs at the draft with some clips to go with them.
Maple Leafs’ Recent Dealings With the Canadiens (THW)
The Montreal Canadiens trading Tomas Plekanec to the Toronto Maple Leafs was weird, but it wasn’t the first time the two rivals came together for a deal.
Canadiens coach Claude Julien sees bigger role for young players in new season (Gazette)
The youth movement might see an upgrade next season in Montreal.