TWO future playmakers end up with the Canadiens in NHL Mock Draft 3.0

134th Overall: Zach Pelletier, G/Gatineau Olympiques 

Another 17-year-old, Zach Pelletier should make a jump in productivity in 2024-25 following a rough rookie year with the Gatineau Olympiques. Like Kuzma Voronin, Pelletier is someone you take in the later rounds, measure his progress year-to-year, and go from there. Also, like Voronin, Pelletier enjoyed some strong seasons at the lower levels, so there is potential. 

166th Overall: Tanner Henricks, D/Lincoln Stars

Yep, we’re continuing with the younger player theme here, with Tanner Henricks bringing some imposing size to the system (6’3, 194 lbs) should he wind up in Montreal’s system. He’s got that stay-at-home vibe, given his lack of points production, but there’s a lot of potential for better offensive output in his future. In a worst-case scenario, he will provide a lot of defense, even if he may never record top-four minutes in the NHL.  

198th Overall: Felix Ohrqvist, D/Linkoping JC J18

Another defenseman, but a much smaller one who stands at just 5’8 and 161 pounds. This past season in J20 Nationell, Felix Ohrqvist put up a respectable 21 points and three goals in 45 regular season contests, and he will once again find a home in that same league for 2023-24. If he winds up in the Canadiens system, it will be fun to see how much of a jump he makes in development in what will be his third season in J20. 

210th Overall: Maxmilian Curran, C/Tri-City Americans

Yet another late birthday, but hey, these players have potential, and Maxmilian Curran, in particular, is a high-potential pick who I was glad to see fall this far. He’s already 6’3, 190 pounds, so he checks the box regarding size. Curran also had 32 points and five goals in his first season with the Tri-City Americans, and there’s more to come for a player who looks like he can evolve into a dynamic passer.  

224th Overall: Nate Misskey, D/Victoria Royals

We’re ending this mock draft simulation with an older prospect, as Nate Misskey of the Victoria Royals turned 19 back in January. He also brings plenty of size at 6’3, 200 lbs, and while he’s one of the most physical blueliners at the junior level, 34 points and seven goals in 44 regular season games implies a potential two-way blueliner is in the making. 

(Statistics powered by Elite Prospects)