Montreal Canadiens: Scouting the competition for the Rookie Showdown

First Round Talent

The Ottawa Senators are going to be fairly top-heavy heading into the tournament. Three of their last four first-round picks are participating in Brady Tkachuk (2018 – 4th overall), Logan Brown (2016 – 11th overall), and Colin White (2015 – 21st overall).

White made his professional debut at the end of the 2016-17 season playing in three AHL games with the Belleville Senators and two games in Ottawa. The same split of playing time occurred this past season seeing him play 47 AHL games, scoring 11 goals and 16 assists, and 21 NHL games putting up six (6) points.

Brown is a massive player at 6’6″ and uses that size effectively to win battles down low and hold on to the puck in pressure-filled situations. Injuries cut his season down short unable to crack the 20-game mark with either team he played within the OHL. However, his performance in the playoffs with the Kitchener Rangers was very impressive with 27 points in 19 games. Brown is a player can be a serious threat considering how well he plays at both ends of the ice. And to add on to that, he’s one of the Sens prospects itching to make it to the next level.

Then there’s Tkachuk who is the new guy in town. Habs fans should be familiar with him as for months there was the debate about whether he should’ve been drafted instead of Kotkaniemi. Similar to his brother in Calgary, Tkachuk plays a relentless power game and likes to wear down opponents. He can score goals and show up in those trying moments to give his team a boost.

After forgoing returning to Boston College for a shot to crack the NHL, he’ll be another determined player for Ottawa.