For the first time in years, I went into the annual NHL Draft with a wishlist of players for the Montreal Canadiens to select. While most of my hopeful picks went to other teams, Montreal exceeded my expectations on all fronts with their 10 total selections and their 2 first round picks. Let’s take a look shall we.
Juraj Slafkovsky - 1st overall
No, Shane Wright wasn’t selected, but that’s okay. Wright’s lack of pure offensive dominance in his OHL senior year was a bit concerning for the talent and scoring-deprived Canadiens. Instead, let’s take a look at whom they did pick, Juraj Slafkovsky. Slafkovsky is exactly the prospect Montreal has needed for over 30 years. He’s a big 6’4 forward who can challenge the opposition with his size, speed, and creativity. His puck-handling skills are bar none and he can finish plays himself or dish it out to his teammates. His size intimidates his opponents, but don’t expect him to steamroll over anyone. His size complements his game rather than relying on his size to play. Last season was a year of triumph for Slafkovsky. Despite a less than productive season with TPS in Liiga, Slafkovsky rose to the occasion internationally for Slovakia. In the Olympics, he was an instrumental part of Slovakia’s bronze medal victory, as he was named Olympics MVP. Then in the spring, he was named a top 3 player for Slovakia at the World Championships.
Slafkovsky will fit in nicely with the Habs, he’s the most skillful player in the draft and projects to at least have 40-goal potential. He won’t reach that right away, in fact starting him in Laval in 22/23 wouldn’t be the worst decision for his development. Yet, for the first time in eons, Montreal has an elite game-breaking prospect.
Filip Mesar - 26th Overall
When it came down to Montreal’s second selection in the first round of the 2023 draft, I had hoped the team could move up. Some of the players I was eyeing with this pick at 26 or higher were Matthew Savoie (9th to Buffalo), Cutter Gauthier (5th to Flyers), Frank Nazar (13th to the Hawks after a trade with Montreal for Kirby Dach), Brad Lambert ( 30th to Winnipeg) or Nathan Gaucher (22nd to Anaheim). Instead, Montreal selected talented forward Filip Mesar, who like Slafkovsky, is Slovakian. In a nutshell, Mesar’s game revolves all around his speed. A top skater in this year’s draft, Mesar’s dynamic skating shines alongside his playmaking ability as he doesn’t hesitate to make game-changing plays at top speed. He’s on the smaller size at 5’10 and lacks physicality in his game, but that doesn’t stop him from hustling through players on the ice.
Mesar is a fine addition to Montreal’s prospect pool. He’s skillful, fast, dynamic, and should be a threat on the power play. At his peak, Mesar should fit in nicely to Montreal’s secondary scoring, occasionally finding himself with top-line duties.
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for Montreal’s future, maybe 2007.
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