Montreal Canadiens: Top 31 Prospects – #19 Cedrick Guindon

Montreal Canadiens fans don’t get a lot of breaking news in the month of August, so here at A Winning Habit, we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 31 prospects currently in the Habs organization. Each player was carefully deliberated by our writers and ranked accordingly. Today, we’re onto the 19th-ranked player, Cedrick Guindon.

A native of Rockland, Ontario., Cedrick Guindon was selected by the Canadiens in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Guindon is a smaller player at 5’10” tall and 170 lbs, but he is versatile; as he can play at center or on the wing. The foundation of his game is his hockey IQ, he thinks the game exceptionally well, and paired with his excellent skating, he is a great two-way player.

The Owen Sound Attack product has played 68 games in both of his previous seasons, besting his year-one total by 10 points. He will look to play bigger, more important minutes in his final season of junior hockey eligibility. Perhaps the most important season of his career to date, the 2023-24 OHL season will be particularly important for development; as a transition towards the pros is in order, given his age.

The 19-year-old saw success in his final year of AAA hockey before losing a season of development due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He showed no signs of rust upon arrival in 2021-22, and that’s what caught Kent Hughes’ scouting staff’s attention. His strong skating and ability to find and exploit open ice are the main strengths in his toolkit.

At this juncture, I see him as a bottom-six, energy player. Due to his slight frame, he may have to add some muscle, if he wishes to thrive in the professional ranks. His shot is very good, and his strong playmaking game makes him a constant threat in the offensive zone, though he could stand to use his shot more.

A strong season in 2023-24 could go a long way in earning Guindon a potential NHL contract. He will likely get time on both special teams units, and be relied upon by his coaches. Should the Attack not qualify for the playoffs, a trade could allow Guindon to earn some playoff experience.

His mind and skating allow him to put his tools on full display. At his best, Guindon could be a responsible, offence-inclined top-nine forward in the NHL, however, where that will be is yet to be determined. Which is why he is the number 19 ranked Montreal Canadiens prospect.

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