Quebec Native Surfacing as Draft Target for Canadiens

With the Canadiens currently in line for a top-10 lottery pick in next year’s draft, speculation about who the team could target with their pick is starting to surface. 

According to a scouting source with Responsible Gambler, the Habs are focusing on center Caleb Desnoyers—a 17-year-old with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Referring to the Canadiens and Desnoyers, the source said, “It's obvious who they're focusing on,” and “They’re very active when it comes to him.” 

Some are speculating that the Habs would even be willing to trade up or down in the draft to ensure they land their target. It makes sense, as Desnoyers would allow the Canadiens to bring in a Quebec native with the potential of becoming a fan favorite in Montreal. Desnoyers currently sits in the 6 - 12 range on the various prospect rankings, but he is gaining momentum and seeing his stock rise lately. He put forth an impressive showing at last month's CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, showing he has the talent to compete with other top junior prospects. 

The common words used by scouts when describing Desnoyers are effort and maturity. Elite Prospects lists his player-type characteristics as cerebral tactician, playmaker, and puckhandler. He also has elite vision on the ice, as shown in the aforementioned CHL/USA Prospects Challenge.

One scout sees similarities in Desnoyers rising stock to that of Tij Ignilia’s last year. Ignilia ended up going 6th overall to the Utah Hockey Club and the first pick in franchise history. One scout is quoted saying: "Like Iginla, he does everything well and has top-end scoring ability. He’s just starting to show it off now. I project him as a potential top-line player. Montreal has been intrigued for a while."

Desnoyers is a left-hand shot, 6’2" center. He is in his second year with the Moncton Wildcats and has 17 goals and 42 points in 26 games this season. If he continues his upward trajectory, he could leapfrog other draft prospects in the rankings.

Desnoyers is a native of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. A local product that shows maturity and an eagerness to learn could be a great fit in the hockey-crazed market of Montreal and another piece of an emerging core of young talent.