Montreal Canadiens: Some Names to Consider at Pick 31
By Ryan Praught
Quentin Musty is a very polarizing player in this year’s draft, as there seems to be a lot of differing opinions about him as a player. Some sites have him ranked in the 10-15 range, way before the Canadiens would have the chance to pick him. But others, including Bob McKenzie, have him ranked in the back half, with Bob himself ranking him at 25. McKenzie’s rankings usually are more informed as to what the league is thinking, so I’m inclined to believe he might be available around this range, even though he probably shouldn’t be.
Unlike Brindley and Perron, Musty has the size that teams covet and plenty of skill too. He’s fantastic with the puck on his stick, both as a playmaker and as a shooter, although he’s more of the former currently. He’s got the toolkit of an incredibly gifted player. He’s creative and looks to be a good power forward at the next level. He did struggle to show that all throughout last year on a consistent basis, which might explain why some are lower on him than others, but with the proper development, he could be a steal.
Amongst draft-eligible prospects in the OHL, nobody had more points-per-game than Musty. He’s very talented, and I think he has the makings of a very good top-six forward if he can develop right. His skillset is impressive, especially for his size, so it’s so surprising to me for him not to be ranked higher. If I was the Canadiens, I would be more than willing to trade up to ensure I could land Musty, as he looks to be an outstanding prospect. He’s currently my favourite choice beyond the top ten. I’d feel comfortable taking him anywhere after 15 without much hesitation.
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