Montreal Canadiens: Rookie excitement and a Nikita Scherbak surge

2) Save for the obvious answer (Jesperi Kotkaniemi), who are you the most excited to see at the Rookie Showdown in September?

NL: I would have to say I’m excited to see what Lukas Vejdemo can do. He is a wild card who may surprise many at rookie camp.

ZC: Last year, I was lucky enough to be in attendance and get the chance to scout a few of the Habs up and coming prospects. I had kept a close eye on Victor Mete, and he thoroughly impressed me, and it wasn’t long before he was making an impact at the NHL level afterwords. This year, I’ll be looking at Cole Fonstad. I’ve mentioned it before, and I’ll mention it again, I really believe that Cole has the skills to be a bonafide top 9 NHL forward down the line, and this rookie tournament will be just another chance to evaluate the young, skilled forward.

KR: I am most interested in seeing how Jake Evans fairs. Although only a seventh-round pick, seeing as he finished four years of college hockey at Notre Dame he is older than the traditional rookie. His maturity, his play, and clutch goals at the Frozen Four really peaked my curiosity. It will be interesting Honourable mention to Will Bitten. I saw him in person at the London 2016 tournament and I thought he stood out quite well. I’ll be interested to see how he’s progressed.

OW: It’s Cale Fleury for me. The 2017 third-round pick is eligible to play in the AHL this season, and that looks to be the plan as he isn’t at training camp with the Regina Pats. The Rookie Showdown will be a good way for Fleury to prove that he’s ready to play at the higher level, especially if he continues that on to the Habs main camp mid-September. He’s proven to be an all-situation defenceman which will be a strong addition to Laval’s blueline if he ends up making it.