We’re expecting the Canadiens to go with a forward, and there are four of them we think would prove most attractive to them.
Zachary L’Heureux, Centre, Halifax Mooseheads
He’s a five-foot-11, 196-pound centre who’s still growing but already plays the game like he’s much bigger.
L’Heureux, who popped 19 goals and 39 points in 33 games in his sophomore season in the QMJHL, is known as a hard-checking, 200-foot centre who can also likely move to wing.
He’s been ranked everywhere from 19th to 40th by the prognosticators, and perhaps his stock dropped a bit with suspensions he took — including one for spitting on a player.
But provided L’Heureux can channel his aggression in the right way, the people we connected with over the last 48 hours suggest he’s a top-round talent.
The Montrealer is on the Canadiens’ radar. If he’s there when they step to the podium, there’s a good chance they’ll take him.
Zachary Dean, Centre, Gatineau Olympiques:
Consensus is the Grande Prairie, Alta., native is a burner with excellent playmaking ability and stick skills. That he’s already six-foot and close to 180 pounds gives him the strength to take advantage of those assets.
Dean had 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 games in the Q this past season but, with his vision and offensive acumen, there’s a sense he’s primed to produce a lot more.
Don’t be surprised if the Canadiens call his name if he’s still available at 30.
Wyatt Johnston, Centre, Windsor Spitfires:
If the Canadiens call on the six-foot-one centre, it’ll be in large part because of what they saw from him at the recent World Under-18 Championship in Dallas, where he had two goals and four points in seven games with Team Canada.
Johnston is ranked as a second-rounder by most of the draft analysts, but not having an OHL season has certainly influenced that process. He’s 16th among North American skaters on NHL central scouting’s list, and Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino has him ranked 30th.
A scout we touched base with doesn’t believe Johnston will last that long in the draft, that he’ll be off the board by the time the Canadiens are picking.
Should Johnston be available, he could very well be Montreal’s pick.
Logan Stankoven, Centre/Right Wing, Kamloops Blazers:
Sleep on the five-foot-eight forward at your own peril. The Canadiens won’t.
If Stankoven’s available, they could opt for his tenacity and skill, and they won’t concern themselves with his size — even if size is at a premium currently.
“You just have to be careful with trends because they can change quickly, as we’ve all seen for the past five years,” said Timmins. “We’re looking for the best player available. If we go back and look at why did you draft Cole Caufield? We all know what he turned out to be so far. As I said, you pick the best player available and just be careful with trends because they may change.”
