#18 Overall Could Be...

With the NHL draft combine this week, I was thinking about who Montreal might take with there 1st pick of the 2009 draft.

First I looked at what the Canadiens don't need. There are enough young defencemen in the system to overrun the government of a small country. The Habs also have two NHL calibre goalies under the age of 25, no problem there.

That leaves forwards. There are some good forwards in the system, but the ones that have a shot at the pros are mostly small, speedy players who will have a tough time without a big physical presence playing on their line. Max Pacioretty being the exception here.

This has been the knock on Montreal for years. If I had a $100 bill for every time I've heard an analyst or commentator say the Canadiens are too small or too soft up front, especially at center, then my expensive legal team would be finalizing my purchase offer for Mr. Gillett.

So you would think that the Habs would be looking to take a big skilled center, and groom him to become a Jason Arnott/Keith Primeau type player. This is something that Montreal hasn't been able to land in the free agent market (Sundin) or the trade market (Jokinen).

If Robert Lang returns for a healthy season and plays well, that's great, but at 38, a longer term solution is needed. So, let's look at who fits the bill that could be available when the Canadiens use the 18th overall pick.

Chris Kreider - LW
Andover - Mass. HS



Gainey likes U.S. high schoolers because they usually go on to become U.S. college players. This means that the Habs don't have to sign the draft pick until they finish school, unlike major junior picks that have to signed within two years of the draft. That's two extra years of development for free, and Bob loves it.

Kreider is an incredible skater and combined with a 6', 200 lb. frame, he's tough to get off the puck. The only knock on him is that he hasn't played against any significant competition yet. Kreider ranks #24 on ISSs list.


Drew Shore - C
USA U-18 - NTDP





Shore is ranked #18 by ISS, right where Montreal is slated to choose, and a good choice it would be. 6'2", 190 lbs. is hard to knock off the puck, and Shore knows how to use it to create space for his linemates.

The playmaker should shoot the puck a little more instead of looking for the extra pass though.



Peter Holland - C
Guelph Storm - OHL
2008-2009: 68 GP 28 G 39A 67P 42 PIM


Uses his 6'1", 185 lbs. very well, but could mix it up a bit more, and be more physical. Crashes the net to make his offence, and should improve on defence as he matures. Ranked #15 by ISS, Holland could be a solid NHL power forward.








Zack Kassian - RW
Peterborough Petes - OHL
2008-2009: 61 GP 24 G 39 A 63 P 136 PIM






Prototypical power forward who can fight, score and hit... a lot. At 6'3", 205 lbs., he is among the toughest customers in the OHL, but needs some work on his speed and skating.

ISS ranks him at #20, but he could be gone a few slots before the Canadiens pick.



Louis LeBlanc - C
Omaha Lancers- USHL
2008-2009: 60 GP 28 G 31 A 59P 78 PIM



At 6'0", 180 lbs., LeBlanc isn't going to add size to the roster, but A) he's a Quebec native B) he's a speedy skilled player like most of the current prospects and C) he's going to play U.S. college hockey.
For these reasons, the Habs might not be able to help themselves if he's still available at #18. LeBlanc is currently ranked #12 by the International Scouting Bureau.