Before Kent Hughes started painting his picture of the Montreal Canadiens, the team had just one player on the roster from the 2019 NHL Draft.
Cole Caufield was the lone 2019 draftee on the roster, drafted 15th overall by former general manager Marc Bergevin. It was a home run pick, and I think he almost sprinted to the stage after Philadelphia selected fellow NTDP product, defenseman Cam York. Caufield has been developing finely into the sniper/playmaker that the Canadiens desired for their top line.
Given Hughes's career as a player agent, and being a regular around the college hockey scene, he had some insight into the 2019 draft class. More specifically, Hughes has a particular interest in the 2019 first round. Hughes has made plenty of trades, but his two age-specific acquisitions have come from the 2019 Draft.
Hughes's first order of business came on the draft floor at the 2022 NHL Draft, when he shocked the draft venue with two subsequent trades. First, Hughes sent defenseman Alex Romanov and the Habs' 98th overall pick to the New York Islanders for the 13th overall selection. Then Hughes dealt the 13th overall pick, and the club's 66th overall pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Kirby Dach.
Dach is a former third overall selection in the 2019 draft, just behind Jack Hughes (first) and Kappo Kakko (second).
Hughes, then followed up his first summer with the team, making another trade in June 2023 for Colorado Avalanche forward Alex Newhook. The Avalanche received the Canadiens 31st and 37th overall picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, along with defence prospect Gianni Fairbrother. Newhook was added, in hopes that his speed and development at centre would be a huge add for the Habs.
Newhook was drafted 16th overall in the 2019 NHL draft, one selection after Bergevin selected Caufield.
Safe to say Hughes likes the quality of prospects that were selected during the first round of the 2019 draft. And there have been rumours this season, and last connecting Hughes to two additional '19 draftees. Trevor Zegras was a name that had caught fire a bit, with the suggestion that he could be available - and Dylan Cozens has been linked to Montreal.
I think the Zegras stuff is old news, and it would take a tremendous package to pry him out of Anaheim. As for Cozens, I think that acquiring him and his big cap hit would solidify him as the Habs' second-line centre. I have no problem with that, but what happens when Michael Hage arrives?
The trade makes sense, and he would be a tremendous addition to the Canadiens centre corps. Cozens would stabilize the top six, and erase any question marks about who the Habs' top two centres are. But when Hage arrives ready to play, where does he play? because Hage isn't a bottom-six forward, and he has been developed at centre.
I personally don't see anybody from 10-20 worth trading for, because I feel the Habs have better options internally. Otherwise, guys like Matt Boldy and Thomas Harley aren't going anywhere. As for 20-30, Connor McMichael and Philip Tomasino are interesting guys, but one isn't going anywhere, and I don't see the fit with Tomasino.
So, long story short, unless Hughes is serious about Cozens or something miraculous happens where he swings for Zegras. I think the 2019 first round won't be plucked from anymore by Hughes.
Grant McCagg ranks Kent Hughes best draft picks
During a recent show of The Sick Podcast - Recrutes draft cast, former Canadiens scout and the founder of Recrutes, Grant McCagg broke down his top 12 draft picks during the Kent Hughes era.
Before mentioning McCagg's picks, I would like to list my top 12 Canadiens prospects that have been drafted by Hughes. Hughes and Jeff Gorton have done a tremendous job addressing many needs on the roster, and adding some great players to the Habs prospect pool. For that reason, this is a subjective list, based on my opinions and potential.
McCagg obviously keeps a close eye on all the Canadiens prospects, which gives him some insight. But at the end of the day, the list is based on what you value and who you are highest on. I wouldn't be surprised if the list order for myself and McCagg looks different.
1. Ivan Demidov
2. Lane Hutson
3. Juraj Slafkovsky
4. Michael Hage
5. David Reinbacher
6. Jacob Fowler
7. Owen Beck
8. Adam Engstrom
9. Jared Davidson
10. Florian Xhekaj
11. Sam Harris
12. Filip Mesar
McCagg has Demidov first, and the top three are rounded out with Hutson and Slafkovsky. Reinbacher and Fowler rounded out the top five, which features two defensemen, two wingers and a starting goaltender.
Hage is his sixth-ranked prospect, falling one spot out of the top five, a real testament to the Habs' depth. Seven through 10, feature four Laval Rocket players - Beck, Engstrom, Davidson and Xhekaj. These guys, are more depth, bottom six players, aside from Hage obviously, who has top-six potential.
McCagg's final two, finishing off his top 12 prospects selected by Hughes, are Mesar and Rasmus Bergqvist.
With the 2025 Draft just a handful of months away, I have to say this list has me excited for what's next.