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Montreal Canadiens Could Fill Biggest Need In 2024 NHL Draft

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 29: Macklin Celebrini of Canada celebrates his goal during the semi final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between Sweden and Canada at St. Jakob-Park on April 29, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 29: Macklin Celebrini of Canada celebrates his goal during the semi final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between Sweden and Canada at St. Jakob-Park on April 29, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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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.

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