Montreal Canadiens: Plenty of Talented Options With 33rd Overall Pick

The Montreal Canadiens have already selected Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, but they have many more decisions to make today.

Even after some pick maneuvering that helped them acquire Kirby Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks, the Canadiens have ten selections to make today in rounds two through six. The first of those selections will be the first pick made today, as the Canadiens own the 33rd overall pick.

Whoever they select will not be a first round pick, but there are plenty of options still available that had the talent and potential to hear their name called last night. They just happened to slip through the cracks.

This gives the Canadiens a chance to add yet another elite young talent to the prospect pool after the pair of Slovakians they took yesterday. Who could it be at 33? There are a handful of terrific options left over after the dust settled on the first round.

Jagger Firkus is a supremely skilled player who put up 36 goals and 80 points in 66 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. He is a bit slender at 154 pounds but has time to fill out and add muscle while dominating the WHL again next season. He was ranked inside the first round by almost everybody, and could be a second round steal.

Luca Del Bel Belluz is another skilled forward who fell out of the first round. He plays for the Mississauga Steelheads and scored 30 goals and 76 points in 68 games last season. He was ranked by some in the 20s and some in the 40s, so he could be a safe bet at 33.

Jack Hughes, the son of Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, is also available. He played at Northeastern last season and projects to be a two-way forward at the next level. He had seven goals and 16 points in 39 NCAA games, but showed strong two-way promise and should break out far more offensively this season.

If it is a defenceman that the Habs want to target, there are plenty of those available as well. Ty Nelson would be a fine pick, as a right shot defender who can skate, jump into the rush and put up points. The first overall pick in the 2020 OHL Draft had 51 points in 66 games for the North Bay Battalion.

Triston Luneau, from Trois-Rivières, Quebec would be a soldi choice as well. He is a local product who was a first overall pick in the 2020 QMJHL Draft. He has been projected by most to be picked in the 30s and would be a safe, dependable two-way prospect. He has good size at 6’2″ and 190 pounds and scored 12 goals and 43 points in 63 games last season.

Ryan Chesley is another two-way right shot defender who the Habs could decide on with the 33rd pick. He scored 29 points in 59 games for the United States Development Program last season and is a strong defensive player who can keep opponents to the outside and limit chances against while getting the puck up ice in a hurry as well.

Any of these players would be a great choice with the 33rd pick. Heck, any of them would have been a great choice with the Canadiens 26th pick, so the Habs are fortunate to have so many great options as we kick off round two of the NHL Draft.

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