A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens: Positional breakdown of the prospect pool to date

By Omar L

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Jesperi Kotkaniemi puts on a Montreal Canadiens jersey onstage after being selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Jesperi Kotkaniemi puts on a Montreal Canadiens jersey onstage after being selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 8
Next
Montreal Canadiens
KELOWNA, BC – (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

Left Defence (7)

  • Scott Walford (2017 third-round pick)
  • Jarret Tyszka (2017 fifth-round pick)
  • Rinat Valiev (trade acquisition from the Toronto Maple Leafs)
  • David Sklenicka (European free agent)
  • Michal Moravcik (European free agent)
  • Alexander Romanov (2018 second-round pick)
  • Jordan Harris (2018 third-round pick)

It’s not talked about as much, but the Montreal Canadiens have added a lot of defencemen in the last two years. Tyszka improved his offensive production from his draft year whereas Walford improved overall. His decision-making has a steady level of calmness to it that allows him to command the blueline in any situations. Additionally, Walford made a lot more use of the first pass from the defensive zone leading the ongoing rush.

Valiev is still a bit of an unknown in the grander scheme of things. He’s been a staple in the minors for many years and got a short window to play in the NHL with the Habs before getting injured. The Habs signed him to a one-year deal that screams, “Prove It,” but it’s going to be difficult with the number of defenders in front of him. Ideally, Valiev gets another look at some point in the season, but he’ll add more structure to the blueline in Laval.

The remaining four are really unknown (relatively speaking). Both Sklenicka and Moravcik were signed after playing with the Pilsen Indians. They brought attention to themselves at the World Hockey Championships as members of Team Czech Republic and are described as being offensive-minded defencemen who can skate.

Sklenicka and Moravcik also have European-Assignment clauses in their contracts and could choose to return overseas if they haven’t been called up. Luckily, the Habs got them to two-year deals so even if that happens, they can return to North America for the 2019-20 season and show how they’ve improved. Ideally, they stay and further improve Laval’s blueline.

Related Story. Probable NHL debuts for the season. light

Romanov and Harris were the only defencemen selected by Montreal at the 2018 draft with more emphasis on the former. He’s currently fighting for a spot on CSKA Moscow’s roster which would be an incredible feat as an 18-year-old. Romanov combines his skating with heavy and sturdy play allowing him to be effective despite not being the tallest defenceman.

Harris lets his footwork do the talking on the ice and has a tendency to hold on to the puck always on the lookout to make a play. Whether that can transition to the NCAA is too soon to tell, but he’ll get the opportunity to do so with Cayden Primeau at Northeastern University.

Home/Prospects