Montreal Canadiens: Top 10 prospects entering the 2018 season

The Montreal Canadiens are a team in desperate need of more help. At the blueline and down the middle, the Canadiens need a youth movement. Luckily, these ten prospects exist for the Canadiens.

The Montreal Canadiens are a team of history, one of the greatest franchises in sports based on success. 23 Stanley Cups prove that. The Canadiens haven’t won the title since 1993, however, and don’t look like they’re winning one anytime soon. For that reason, the team needs to invest in their youth.

That’s why these ten prospects could be so important. Whether it’s down the middle, at the blueline, or on the wings, the Canadiens have talented prospects. These prospects are ranked on three (equal) factors: ceiling, NHL readiness, and the likelihood the prospect plays with the Montreal Canadiens in the near future. To qualify, a prospect must not have played 25 NHL games, so no more Charles Hudon.

Let’s start with the goaltenders.

1. Cayden Primeau [19] (7-199, 2017)

Stats (Northeastern University, NCAA): 34 games played, 1.92 goals against average, .931 save percentage, 4 shutouts.

Cayden Primeau is an excellent goaltending prospect, and while the Montreal Canadiens are committed long-term to Carey Price, having a goaltender prospect like Primeau in the system is just a good thing. He likely won’t make the professional transition quite yet, and with other goaltenders in the AHL this season, there’s no rush. Keeping him in the NCAA could be a good thing, especially with the level of competition now at the collegiate level.

He’s got a high ceiling as a potential NHL starter, but the road to him actually being in the NHL could be long.

Primeau was tied for sixth in save percentage and was seventh in goals-against average in the NCAA this past season. He helped Northeastern University to a two seed in the Frozen Four tournament, though the team was beaten in the first round by the Final Four team Michigan. Primeau also had four shutouts in 34 games played, which shows excellent potential at the professional level.

He’s got a high ceiling as a potential NHL starter, but the road to him actually being in the NHL could be long. He’s not likely to play consistently with the Canadiens in the near future, though he has a better chance in the further-off future.

2. CharlieLindgren [24] (UDFA)

Stats (Laval Rocket, AHL): 37 gp, 3.39 GAA, .886 SV%, 2 SO; 14 gp, 3.03 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO. Montreal Canadiens, NHL

He still has potential, but it’s getting less and less likely that Charlie Lindgren will claim a role with the Montreal Canadiens. He played 14 games with the Canadiens when Price was injured this past season, but did so as a backup, playing behind Antti Niemi (who also got injured). He had decent stats, though not overly impressive, in the NHL but was less successful in the AHL. Not terrific.

He’s still got NHL potential and is still young enough to fulfill that potential.

Lindgren could be a useful piece in a trade, and with the Canadiens holding on to Antti Niemi for the near future, that basically puts to rest his position in the Canadiens’ battery. He’s a decent third goaltender, but the Canadiens need something more than that, and trading Lindgren could help them get it. If they can get a good center prospect for Lindgren, why not do it?

He’s still got NHL potential and is still young enough to fulfill that potential. He’s more NHL ready than other third-string goaltenders in the league, and having played extended time in the NHL likely only helps him. That makes him appealing to other teams, even if it doesn’t appeal to the Canadiens.

10. Cole Fonstad, LW [18] (5-128, 2018)

Stats (Prince Albert Raiders, WHL): 72 gp, 21 g, 52 a, 73 p, 5 PPG (21 A), 4 GWG, 153 SOG, 1.01 pts/g (7 pgp, 4 g, 1 a, 5 p, 2 GWG, 21 SOG, .71 pts/g).

Cole Fonstad was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft, despite being projected to go much higher than that. He was a top 100 consensus pick, so his falling to 128th for the Montreal Canadiens should be a good thing for the team. While they have plenty of young wings (Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher, Max Domi, Hudon, and other prospects on this list) Fonstad could earn a position for himself with the Canadiens in the future.

He’s got good hands, especially when it comes to passing (tied for 27th in the WHL in assists) and he’s got good skating.

He was better than a point per game in the WHL but fell off in the playoffs. That might be what cost him several rounds, as he’s got a lot of skill and isn’t small, at least by today’s standards (he’s 5’10”).

He’s got good hands, especially when it comes to passing (tied for 27th in the WHL in assists) and he’s got good skating. The problem is that he’s still skinny, needing to bulk up, and while he was excellent at even strength, it may have been because of his center, a fifth-round pick in 2016 who has shaped up excellently.

Fonstad was tied for 43rd in scoring, 56th in points per game, and 81st in goal scoring. He’ll need to get better in that last category to prove this season wasn’t a fluke and will need to show offensive potential away from another possible NHL player. Luckily for Fonstad, he’ll likely get that chance, as the Canadiens should be sending him back down to play with the Raiders.

9. Will Bitten, RW [20] (3-70, 2016)

Stats (Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL): 62 gp, 20 g, 44 a, 64 p, 3 PPG (23 A), 2 SHG, 161 SOG, 50.9 FO% (21 pgp, 4 g, 7 a, 11 p, 4 PPA, 1 SHG, 39 SOG, .52 pts/g).

Will Bitten proved that he was ready for the AHL this season in the OHL, putting up more than point-per-game pace, though in an unimpressive way. He was tied for 42nd in scoring, 25th in assists, and 42nd in points per game. Bitten isn’t a terrific goal scorer, but he can make plays. 44 assists across 62 games prove that. Bitten also has the advantage of being a great skater and someone who possess good work ethic, which is what sets him apart.

It’s his defensive game where he excels, and he uses that defensive game while shorthanded and at even strength to keep the puck out of the net.

It’s hard to tell what Bitten can be, although his ceiling is definitely playing in the NHL. Perhaps a middle-six role would be a good fit for Bitten, but he needs to continue to grow his offensive game.

It’s his defensive game where he excels, and he uses that defensive game while shorthanded and at even strength to keep the puck out of the net. He could be an excellent bottom-six player for that reason, perhaps resembling the game of Tomas Nosek.

Bitten needs to prove to be capable of at least a fourth-line role in the AHL before he becomes a fixture on the Montreal Canadiens, however. He’ll get his first crack at the professional game this season, and should get to work continuing to develop his game in both zones.

8. Josh Brook, D [19] (2-56, 2017)

Stats (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL): 45 gp, 3 g, 29 a, 32 p, 1 PPG (11 A), 1 SHA, 2 GWG, 106 SOG, .71 pts/g (14 pgp, 1 g, 5 a, 6 p, 33 SOG, .43 pts/g).

Josh Brook is one of the better defensive prospects the Montreal Canadiens have, but he’s still a few years away from being in the NHL and his ceiling remains undetermined. He played well in the WHL in his first post-draft season, scoring 32 points in 45 games and adding 12 points on the power play.

He had good shot production with more than two shots per game and was solid in the playoffs as well. He’s one of the best puck-handling defensemen in the Canadiens’ system and has a ton of creativity to go along with solid vision.

He’s one of the best puck-handling defensemen in the Canadiens’ system and has a ton of creativity to go along with solid vision.

But Brook was far from the best offensive defenseman in the WHL. He came in tied for 35th in defensive scoring, was tied for 28th in assists amongst defensemen, and was 19th in points per game (scoring just three goals).

In the playoffs, he was 20th amongst defensemen in scoring, 15th in assists, and 35th in points per game. What that means for Brook is that if he’s going to make the NHL, he’s going to have to do it on the back of a solid all-around game, and continue to work on his defensive game.

His ceiling might be a less goal-oriented top-four defenseman. He’s got the skills defensively and the creative vision offensively and has continued to grow, and should continue to even as he ages out of the WHL. He won’t join the Montreal Canadiens in the near future, but he should in the mid-future (about two to four years). He’ll spend his final season in the WHL this season before making the professional transition next season.

7. Jesse Ylonen, RW [18] (2-35, 2018)

Stats (Espoo United, Mestis): 48 gp, 14 g, 13 a, 27 p; 4 pgp, 3 g, 0 a, 3 p. Blues U20, Jr. A SM-liiga

Ylonen is one of the most important winger prospects the Montreal Canadiens have. Not the most NHL ready, not the most likely to make an impact on the team in the immediate future. But most important. That’s for a few reasons. He plays right wing, where the Canadiens are considerably less deep than the left. He’s an excellent player in terms of both playmaking and goal scoring, and while he’ll need to continue to develop before making the North American transition, he was already playing in the pro game and will likely continue this season.

Ylonen’s ceiling could be a top-six winger, somebody who plays minutes on the power play and potentially shorthanded, and a player who keeps the other team on their feet.

Jesse Ylonen was tied for 53rd in scoring and 29th in goal scoring in the Mestis, Finland’s AHL. He was tied for 12th in playoff goal scoring and 32nd in points per game in the Jr. A SM-liiga, despite not playing a single regular season game.

Ylonen plays a very fast style, with the ability to think quickly and create chances at a high tempo. He could be a difference maker, and as somebody who plays with a lot of speed, would fit right in in the modern NHL, if he makes it.

His ceiling could be a top-six winger, somebody who plays minutes on the power play and potentially shorthanded, and a player who keeps the other team on their feet. He’s not a guarantee to be a Montreal Canadiens player, but if he keeps growing and improving, he’ll find a place. He’s at least two years away (one in the Liiga, one in the AHL), but if he takes steps forward in each of those years, he’ll be on track for the Canadiens.

6. Jake Evans, RW [22] (7-207, 2014)

Stats (University of Notre Dame, NCAA): 40 gp, 13 g, 33 a, 46 p, 3 PPG, 2 SHG, 5 GWG.

Jake Evans was one of the better wings in the NCAA this past season and someone who has better NHL readiness than a lot of the other players on this list. He was tied for 13th in scoring amongst all NCAA players, was tied for 84th in goals, 17th in points per game, and was fifth in assists. He’s an excellent playmaker and a natural one, somebody the Montreal Canadiens could pair with a more goal-oriented center or left wing and get success.

He’s an excellent playmaker and a natural one, somebody the Montreal Canadiens could pair with a more goal-oriented center or left wing and get success.

Evans scored two shorthanded goals, three on the power play, and had five game-winners. He’s a versatile forward, one who could play on either special teams unit and play well.

He’s likely going to be a third liner, a lower ceiling than the two players before him, but he’s more ready for that role. He’ll be someone on the Canadiens’ penalty kill should they bring him up, and someone who finds ways to get the puck in the back of the net, even if he’s not the one putting it there.

Evans has a short road ahead of him if he proves himself in the AHL this season. The Canadiens need more wings, especially down the lineup, and with the trade of Max Pacioretty that could be coming, a spot will open up. Evans needs to prove himself quickly and continue to be successful so that he can take that spot.

5. Daniel Audette, C [22] (5-147, 2014)

Stats (Laval Rocket, AHL): 56 gp, 13 g, 16 a, 29 p, 5 PPG (3 A), 1 SHG (1 A), 3 GWG, 106 SOG, 2 ENG, .52 pts/g.

Audette was one of the best players the Laval Rocket had this past season, somebody who rose to the top six early on and who eventually played first line minutes. 29 points isn’t great, but neither was Laval’s roster this past season. They finished 30 points out of the wild card spot, last place in the AHL’s Eastern Conference. Considering the circumstances, Audette did all he could with limited assets.

That doesn’t mean he’s a first-line player. In fact, Audette is likely a middle-six winger, one who does well on the power-play (five goals, eight points) and shorthanded but is a better assist man than goal scorer, and someone who will score in limited amounts. About 40 points could be possible for Audette, who scored on a more than .5 point-per-game pace in the AHL. He’s also still young, and it’s very possible for him to have a higher NHL ceiling.

This season, Audette could contend for a roster spot out of camp, but more than likely he’ll share time between the AHL and NHL. 29 points in 56 games don’t represent clear cut NHL material, and he’ll need to step up his game in both leagues to earn a permanent spot. Still, Audette is one of the finest players on the AHL roster if he returns, and this season, with a better roster, he could put up more points.

3. NoahJuulsen, D [21] (1-26, 2015)

Stats (Laval Rocket, AHL): 31 gp, 1 g, 5 a, 6 p, 1 PPA, 1 SHA, 41 SOG, .19 pts/g; 23 gp, 1 g, 2 a, 3 p. Montreal Canadiens, NHL

Noah Juulsen is an excellent defensive defenseman, one who is cut out for the Montreal Canadiens roster and should continue to grow there. He has the potential of someone like Niklas Hjalmarsson – a top-pairing defenseman who shouldn’t be played in that many offensive situations but who will help the goaltender more than any other player on the ice. Juulsen had just one goal in the AHL in 31 games, and then followed it up with one goal in 23 games in the NHL.

With the Canadiens needing more defense, even a smart, capable defensive-oriented player like Juulsen has immense value. Because he’s already played a lot of games in the NHL and will likely get a full season this year, he’s clearly NHL ready. He’s got an excellent ceiling, and he’s going to be playing consistently with the Montreal Canadiens.

What holds him back to just number three is his offensive game, as well as the fact that the two players ahead of him are just that good. While Juulsen could be playing more minutes than either of the next two prospects in the long run, he won’t be impacting the game on the same level. However, he’s excellent at what he does and that’s good news for Montreal.

2. Ryan Poehling, C [19] (1-25, 2017)

Stats (St. Cloud State University, NCAA): 36 gp, 14 g, 17 a, 31 p, 3 PPG, 4 GWG.

Ryan Poehling was drafted to be one of the Montreal Canadiens’ better future centers. He can still be that, though they drafted another center in the first round just a year later. Poehling will have to settle for the second-line center position, one in which he’ll still get a lot of time and importance but will have significantly less pressure. That should suit the young American center better.

With St. Cloud State of the NCAA, one of the black horse darlings of the 2017-18 season, Poehling put up three power-play goals and four game-winners. He was close to a point-per-game pace and was one of the better U20 players in the league. He was tied for 7th amongst players under 20, was fifth in goals, tied for 18th in assists and seventh in points per game. Across the NCAA, he never rose above 72nd, which he got for goal scoring.

With the playmaking wings the Montreal Canadiens have in the pipeline, a goal scoring center would be perfect for the second line, which is why Poehling fits so well. He’s still a few seasons off from being a member of the Canadiens, but he will more than likely get there. He’s already playing in an excellent league, perhaps the closest to the AHL across the developmental leagues, and has grown. He should continue to this season, as he’ll likely head back to St. Cloud.

1. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C [18] (1-3, 2018)

Stats (Assat, Liiga): 57 gp, 10 g, 19 a, 29 p, 2 PPG, 3 GWG (7 pgp, 0 g, 1 a, 1 p).

Jesperi Kotkaniemi was the third overall pick in the 2018 entry draft and the first center taken off the board. He was projected lower in the first round at the beginning of the year and steadily rose while putting up an impressive campaign in the Liiga, Finland’s top league. Kotkaniemi has an excellent shot and a fast release and has great hockey IQ and vision. That’s why teams fell in love with him and might be why the Montreal Canadiens fell head over heels.

Kotkaniemi is not fast, however, but he is agile. He’s better on his edges and skating side to side than he is skating in a line. He also played time on the wing and avoided the penalty kill this past season, which could spell trouble for a developing center. He’ll need time on both special teams units wherever he heads next and needs to work on both sides of his game. While he transitions to North America, he’ll need to figure out how to muscle past opponents and play a more reliable game.

Kotkaniemi could be on the Laval Rocket this coming season, or he could be back with Assat in the Liiga. The Canadiens may want him ready to make the transition as soon as possible, and putting him the AHL while he continues to learn and grow could be a good thing. They need better wings in the AHL for Kotkaniemi to play with, however, and many of them are still a year away. Giving him a final season in Finland could be just as good, but not if he continues to play on the wing and off the penalty kill.