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Canadiens Have 3 Prospects in The Athletic’s Top 50 List |
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It was a quiet day in Habs land today but at least, The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler put out his iop 50 drafted NHL prospects list and that’s always an interesting read. No, the top spot isn’t held by a Montreal Canadiens’ prospect but by Coyotes draftee Logan Cooley. Before you start screaming and kicking that the Habs should have selected Cooley over Slafkovsky, be aware that the big Slovak couldn’t make the list since he has now graduated to the NHL full-time, unlike the third overall pick from last July.
If Slafkovsky can’t make the list though, the Canadiens did have a lot of eligible prospects and 3 of them cracked Wheeler’s ranking and 2 more got an honorable mention. Montreal’s first player comes in at number 17 in the person of Lane Hutson. The still growing defenseman might turn out to be the steal of the draft if things keep going this way. He’s having an amazing year in the NCAA and Wheeler describes his as follows:
“There aren’t many players who play like Hutson in hockey. I’ve often been asked just how high he would have gone if he were 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3 and the reality is that he wouldn’t be able to do a lot of what makes him interesting if he were. He’s a unique player who uses a light (through not powerful) stride to create entries and exits, weave past coverage, escape pressure, and find or create seams”
This is high praise indeed and Wheeler goes on to add that he reads opposing forwards easily, anticipates their next moves and exposes them on top of being a maestro of the saucer pass. Just reading this makes me excited for the day I’ll be able to watch him play regularly.
The second Habs’ prospect, Sean Farrell, comes in at 41 and Wheeler calls the left winger one of the most talented players and playmakers on the ice this year. Despite his small stature, 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds- Wheeler adds that it feels like he almost never gets hit and that he projects as a real top-nine with power-play upside as a play creator thanks to both his hands and skating. The even better news is that Kent Hughes believes Farrell is ready for the next step and chances are we’ll see him with the Canadiens towards the end of the season once his NCAA campaign wraps up and he signs his entry-level deal.
The final Canadiens’ prospect to make the list is center Owen Beck who squeezes in at 50. Wheeler seems genuinely excited about the 33rd pick overall at the last draft and says: “He can play in all situations with a variety of linemates types and projects as an impactful third centre who can play up and down a line-up where needed.
As for those who didn’t make the list but got an honorable mention, they are 5th round pick in 2021 Joshua Roy and 26th overall pick at the last draft Filip Mesar. Sure, these rankings are based on projections, but it’s that kind of article that makes a rebuild bearable, the hope that the future is bright and that soon enough, the Canadiens will have a few aces up their sleeves. I highly recommend heading over to the Athletic to read Wheeler's full article.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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