Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson and Matvei Michkov: These forwards are almost unanimously recognized as the top four players available at the next National Hockey League (NHL) auction.
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Thanks to the Arizona Coyotes’ 5-4 win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, the Montreal Canadiens returned to the top five worst teams at Bettman Circuit.
Thus, if the lottery results respected the order of overall classification, the Montreal staff would hold the fifth pick overall and could be in for a pretty dilemma.
Here are five players that should pique the curiosity of Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton, Martin Lapointe, Nick Bobrov, and the rest of the Habs guides.
– Will Smith, forward
Developed under the American development program, this Massachusetts center player doesn’t lack for tools in his trunk. Known for his playing ability and superb skating, Smith amassed 95 points in 47 games with the USA U18 team. Like Fantilli, who should be picked a few ranks ahead of him, he has already signed up for next season, playing with Boston College in the NCAA’s Hockey East Conference. However, we are entitled to wonder if his similarities to the CH captain – like Nick Suzuki he’s a right-handed center player of modest height – might convince the Habs to look elsewhere.
– David Reinbacher, defense attorney
Almost every season at the Bettman Circuit, defensemen are underrated in played drafts and are often picked much earlier than expected. Even if the next repechage is characterized by an impressive influx of offensive talent, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if several defenders are chosen from the top 10 in the junior ice hockey world. He already plays for the men in the first Swiss league, where he collected 22 points in 46 games with Kloten HC. Could the CH 2019 emulate Steve Yzerman, who had startled many by targeting Mortiz Seider in the sixth rung?
– Zach Benson, forward
The British-Colombian, who is comfortable on both left wing and centre, could drop a few rungs given his 5ft 10in and 159lbs. Benson may not be the toughest, but he’s not giving up his place on the ice. He is described as a tireless and talented forward who makes it his mission to make his teammates look good. He leads the Winnipeg Ice with 98 points in 60 games this season. He statistically dominates his teammates Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie, two players who were voted in the top 11 at the circuit’s last auction. However, the Habs may be reluctant to add another small forward to their top six, which in the long run could include Cole Caufield, Filip Mesar and Sean Farrell.
– Dalibor Dvorsky, forward
For the same reason, the Canadian could be seduced by Dalibor Dvorsky and add another young Slovakian attacker. Without being spectacular, the 6’1″ 205lb center is one of the most complete players available. Juraj Slafkovksy’s compatriot is useful on both sides of the ice and has offensive instincts that should allow him to quickly establish a second line in the NHL Dvorsky split the season between Swedish Premier League club AIK and his junior school club. Against men he had six goals and 14 points in 38 games. He had been cautious at the World Youth Championship, breaking through the Slovaks collected three points in six duels up to the quarterfinals.
– Edward Sale, forward
The 17-year-old left winger also plays in a European first division team with Brno Kometa in the Czech Republic. He is the only player under 20 to have played more than five games with his team and is not bad with seven goals and as many assists in 43 games. Sale impresses with his confidence on the ice and anticipation, his six points in seven games with the World Juniors has impressed many and his 6’1″ could catch the CH’s eye. With Caufield, Slafkovsky, Farrell and Joshua Roy to name a few, the Habs have plenty of left wing options going forward.