Canadiens Could Fill Biggest Need At 2024 NHL Draft

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The Montreal Canadiens have a deep prospect pool and are loaded with high-end right-handed forwards. But aside from Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook, there aren’t any high-potential, top-six lefthanded players in the system. Fortunately for the Canadiens and Kent Hughes, the early top 10 rankings of the 2024 NHL Draft features some fantastic defence prospects, but the number one-ranked prospect, Macklin Celebrini leads a nice group of left-shot forwards.

The Canadiens could surprise and battle for a playoff spot, but it seems more likely that they will finish in the same position as last season or worse. The Atlantic Division has added some strength and skill, and at this juncture, the Canadiens are going to be in tough. But the silver lining of another down season is earning another top selection in next summer’s NHL Draft.

The opportunity to add a potential elite, left-shot forward will present itself to the Canadiens at the draft next. I sincerely hope that unless Artyom Levshunov, Sam Dickinson or the younger brother of Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek, Adam Jiricek shoot up the rankings, a forward would be best for the Habs. There are some very talented left-shot forwards, and from the crop of three forwards, the Canadiens could add a nice piece.

While the Canadiens’ top line will likely feature Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, there is no standout player to fill the Canadiens’ right wing on the top line. Keeping Kirby Dach at the center on the second line ensures some size down the middle in the top six, and adding Newhook on his wing could balance out two nice duos, Slafkovsky will hopefully develop into a top-six left winger, but aside from him, the Canadiens lack an elite winger to push them forward to the next level. Adding a top-five prospect from the 2024 NHL Draft could be just what the Canadiens need; a strong, balanced top-six to compete for a Stanley Cup.

The top three forward talents in the 2024 NHL Draft are left-shot forwards. Each one offers something different, and all are effective in their NHL pursuits. Naturally, Celebrini stands out at the top given his number-one ranking, but the other two are nipping at his heels.

The three forwards listed below reign from Canada, the United States and Russia. Each one is impactful, intelligent and a high-potential future NHL talent. The Habs would benefit from gaining any one of them.

Macklin Celebrini

First up is 2024 NHL Draft top prospect, Macklin Celebrini, a product of the USHL’s Chicago Steel. Celebrini is primed to make the leap to the NCAA ranks in 2023-24, and he will do so with a very talented group at Boston University. With the likes of Lane Hutson, Tom Willander and Devin Kaplan, the Terriers will have a talented young roster.

Celebrini is the early consensus number-one ranked prospect for next summer’s draft, and he has an impressive toolkit. He is both quick, in the way that he processes the game, and fast; as he has great speed to complement his strong two-way game. The Vancouver, BC., native has a great shot and is a fantastic playmaker, whose skating ability and soft hands round out his offensive game and the natural center is adept defensively.

He is a can’t-miss, top-of-the-crop talent, and would make any franchise better. After his fantastic rookie year in the USHL with the Chicago Steel, which saw him score 46 goals, 40 assists and 86 points in 50 games, he will head to the NCAA and take the college hockey route.

Given his reputation, at this juncture, it’s likely he transitions to Boston University swimmingly. He will join Habs super-prospect Lane Hutson there and the duo could prove too good to pass up on if the Canadiens end up with a pick high enough to land Celebrini at the 2024 NHL Draft.

Cole Eiserman

Cole Eiserman, for all intents and purposes, is a pure sniper, and he wears number 34, as a homage to his favourite player, Auston Matthews. His shot is devastating, much like Matthews’, and his ability to get to open ice to unleash it, is largely why he is projected to be a top pick in next year’s draft. A big year will only solidify his stock, and if he can develop and refine his two-way game, he could cement himself right in the conversation with Celebrini.

While his playmaking isn’t poor, it could stand to gain some improvement, and Eiserman will have the perfect opportunity to refine those skills at the USNTDP. Eiserman loves to work the give-and-go, as he processes plays quickly to burn defenders and find openings for his elite shot. That killer instinct is what has made him the prospect that he is, but if he could slow things down and thread some passes, it would make him even more of a threat, in turn leading to more scoring chances for the native of Newbury, Massachusetts.

The number two-ranked prospect could conceivably unseat Celebrini from that number one rank if he can develop his full offensive repertoire. He will play alongside 2025 NHL Draft prospect, James Hagens, and fellow 2024 prospect, Cole Hutson. The 16-year-old is committed to the University of Minnesota for 2024-25, so he will have ample time to develop all of his tools in preparation to turn pro, but I think he will be ready after his rookie year in college.

Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Matvei Michkov. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Ivan Demidov

Just like the 2023 NHL Draft, the 2024 draft will feature a potential elite Russian forward, Ivan Demidov. The 2023-24 season for Demidov will gain him more scouting exposure, and he will play on the same team as Flyers prospect, Matvei Michkov. Demidov is slightly bigger than Michkov and possesses an elite shot, very strong offensive skills and solid skating.

Slotting in as the fourth-ranked prospect ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, Demidov looks to be another high-end Russian talent, whose potential could be on par with Michkov’s. As a 17-year-old in the Russian MHL, Demidov produced 19-43-62 totals in 41 games. He is slotted to play for SKA St. Petersburg this upcoming season, which will truly expose his game to NHL clubs.

The 5’11” 168 lbs forward still has some physical maturing on the horizon, but all signs point to Demidov being a blue chip prospect. The Canadiens could use a player of his ilk and would be smart to keep an eye on Demidov right away. Surely other teams drafting in his range will know who he is.

Three intriguing, high-impact forwards are going to have their names called early in the 2024 NHL Draft. Each one will make their future general manager happy. And the Canadiens could very well have their hands on one of them come June 2024.

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