Tyler Thorpe - A shorthanded menace

Not much was thought or said at the time of the Montreal Canadiens fifth round selection in the 2024 NHL draft.

And that’s quite all right, because that leaves a great story for the Habs. Kent Hughes took a big swing on Tyler Thorpe, a 6’5” winger, who plays in the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants. It’s been some time since the Canadiens have drafted a Giants player - but the last guy worked out quite well (Brendan Gallagher).

Thorpe’s draft season wasn’t fantastic, but I think it was sort of the year where he was figuring out what sort of player he will be. It’s not that he wasn’t confident, he is just far more confident this year. I think the confidence his head coach has instilled in him with penalty killing time has been immense for Thorpe. 

It’s against junior-level competition, but Thorpe has been a thorn in the side of the opposing team's power play. He challenges with an abrasive backchecking and forechecking game, and his tremendous reach is great for turning pucks over. His speed, and puck skills make him a constant scoring threat, and penalty killing is sort of the canvas, on which the artist (Thorpe) displays his great tools. 

Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes had a great draft overall ahead of their 130th pick. So, if there was any risk, it didn’t deter Habs management from the player. I think that he could develop into a bottom-six pillar for the Canadiens - who makes his living on the penalty kill - though his shooting skills shouldn’t be slept on. 

Bigger prospects are tough to project, because they often no longer dominate with their size at the professional level - or they are having trouble figuring out how to use their physical gifts for good. Juraj Slafkovsky is a great example, and Quinton Byfield is another guy - bad comparison because they’re first round picks - but you get the idea. Sometimes a little patience goes a long way, and if Thorpe can follow a similar curve as Florian Xhekaj - Jeff and Kent will come out looking like bandits. 

I don’t think that fourth liners need to be these 6’3” monsters, but if you have the options you use them. Thorpe and Xhekaj are both big, physical players who shoot the puck exceptionally well and kill penalties. I’m not sure who the third part will be - I like Luke Tuch a lot though. 

Anyway, Thorpe has 47 points in 58 games, 25 of which are goals. Of Thorpe’s 25 goals, six are shorthanded tallies. He is a menace, and one of my favourite prospects for the Canadiens. 

The native of Richmond, British Columbia is 19 years old, turning 20 in August. He could sign an AHL contract over the summer if he wishes. It depends on Hughes' plans for the player, but once he turns 20, he can play one final season in the WHL or choose to turn pro. 

Whatever he does, I think will be in preparation for a great pro career. 

Player to watch for the Vancouver Giants

While watching the Vancouver Giants play, it’s very difficult not to take notice of Cameron Schmidt. Physically, Schmidt looks similar to Cole Caufield - Schmidt is 5’7” and 157 pounds. Caufield is an inch taller, but when he was draft-eligible he was 5’7” also. 

Schmidt leads the Giants in scoring - testament to his skill, but the Giants need for skill. In 51 games, the Edmonton, Alberta native has 64 points, including 34 goals. I talk a lot about not being too small - and emphasize insulating the skilled guys. 

Though Schmidt is likely not a target of Hughes’s, he appears to have the makings of another very talented undersized NHL forward. You can’t have too many on your roster, but draft the right ones, and they improve a team dramatically. Just picture Montreal without Caufield (5’8”), Lane Hutson (5’10”) and Nick Suzuki (5’11”) - yeah, not a great look. 

Anyway, just some food for thought, if he doesn’t work out in the Habs organization, he could be a great trade piece to dangle in the future.