Montreal Canadiens: Bob McKenzie’s Ranking Gives Sneak Peak To Habs Potential Next Top Pick
Third Through Fifth Ranked Prospects
Ivan Demidov
Ivan Demidov, to this point, has outplayed 2023 seventh overall pick Matvei Michkov with SKA St. Petersberg, to the tune of securing a role on the roster, while Michkov, who the Canadiens passed on at the 2023 NHL Draft, was demoted to HK Sochi. Demidov isn’t huge, but as a 17-year-old, playing in the KHL at 5’11” and 168 lbs, he has a big year of development ahead of him, and the competition against men should be huge for the young winger. He projects as a top-six winger in the NHL, with a fair chance at becoming a top-line winger, who has strong puck skills and an NHL shot.
Defensively, his game could stand to improve, but with more KHL experience this season, he should definitely get some coachable moments, which will only round out his toolkit even more. At this point, he slots in as the third-ranked prospect ahead of the 2024 season, but as we know, nothing is set in stone and he could certainly unseat Eiserman. He has been underutilized through four games in the KHL to start the year, but that isn’t uncommon for a younger player in one of the top leagues on the planet.
Artyom Levshunov
Artyom Levshunov projects as a top-pair right-shot NHL defender, and he doesn’t turn 18 until late October, which makes his 2023 USHL season, all the more impressive. Standing at 6’2″ and just two pounds short of 200 lbs, he already has an NHL frame. He is a powerful skater, with wonderful mobility forward, backwards and laterally, which allows him to shimmy and shake in the offensive zone and keep pace with opposing forwards.
He is committed to play for Michigan State University this season, and anyone who hasn’t seen his great shot and ability to command the game from the blue line will learn exactly why he is the top-ranked defenseman for the 2024 Draft. He should immediately improve the Spartan’s roster and play somewhere in the top four while playing on both the penalty kill and power play. We have seen big right-shot defensemen coveted in the last two drafts, David Reinbacher, David Jiricek and Simon Nemec, which should be exactly what happens for Levshunov.
Sam Dickinson
Sam Dickinson, is a big lefthanded defenseman, who played second fiddle to Canadiens first round pick Logan Mailloux and Oliver Bonk, but he showed glimpses of what he could project to at the next level. With a big year ahead of him, and increased minutes and expectations, he will look to improve upon his rookie season output and grow his game to another level. The 6’3″ 194 lbs defender already has NHL size, and under the tutelage of Dale and Mark Hunter, he should see a steady increase in his all-around game.
A smart defender, with the potential to play in an NHL top four, players like Dickinson don’t grow on trees and surely playing in the Ontario Hockey League will draw a lot of scouts from the Canadian clubs. Bonk was the defensive guy, whose offensive game could stand to improve, and Mailloux was the offensive guy whose defensive game grew, watching their development should prove very important for the Toronto native. One thing can be sure, a big physical presence with skating like Dickinson will be a hot commodity come draft day, and just how early he goes will all depend on his play this season.