On the first day of their pro careers, six players from the junior leagues were selected by the Montreal Canadiens. On Draft Day, Montreal added skill, size, grit and risk into their prospect pool. Here is a quick rundown of the draft, and a little information about each prospect.
Nikita Scherbak, Right Wing, Saskatoon Blades - Drafted 26th by Montreal, Scherbak was expected to go higher in the draft but slipped right into the lap of Marc Bergevin and his scouting staff. Scherbak could have fallen due to the 'Russian Factor', a fear of a player bolting to the KHL as soon as they can. However, Scherbak has stated several times his dream is the NHL, and is very passionate about improving himself to get to it. He is a skilled winger with good vision and playmaking ability, and his shot is considered threatening as well. The knocks on Scherbak are his defensive play and aggressiveness around the net and dirty areas. Scherbak's hockey IQ and determination should help him out in his weak areas, which also includes weak acceleration. He led the Blades in points and was the highest scoring rookie in the WHL with 78 points, on a lousy Saskatoon team. Barring an amazing training camp performance, Scherbak should go to the juniors for another year and after that is up to his play and willpower to determine.
Brett Lernout, Defence, Swift Current Broncos - The Canadiens traded up to draft Lernout at 73rd overall, trading their own 3rd round selection(87th) and their 4th rounder(117th). Clearly the Habs wanted to make sure they got Lernout, a big physical defenceman. Lernout is a safe pick, rather than a risky one. Scouts believe he will be an NHL player, but nothing spectacular. Most likely a bottom pairing shut down kind of guy. He thrives in a physical environment and plays to make the opposition miserable. He is a crease-clearing defenceman that the Habs do not have in their system, making this pick a very nice pick up. Now, don't go thinking we drafted a younger Douglas Murray, because Lernout does have offensive potential as he skates very well for his size. He also has a heavy shot that earned him 8 goals with Saskatoon last season.
Nikolas Koberstein, Defence, Olds Grizzlys - Perhaps an off the board pick, Koberstein was selected at 125th overall by the Habs, and head scout Trevor Timmins admitted when they originally discovered Koberstein they were scouting another player. This is a positive, as he did something to stand out to Timmins, who is successful in the later rounds of the draft. He plays very gritty, has a good puck moving game and character, as he will be the captain of his team in this upcoming season. Koberstein amassed 153 penalty minutes in only 51 games last season, showing off his edgy play. Montreal has stated that they plan for Koberstein to take 5 years to develop and make the NHL.(4 years in full university, and 1 in the AHL for pro experience.)
Daniel Audette, Center, Sherbooke Phoenix - Audette is a small, offensively talented forward who may have been passed over several times because of his size until the Habs snagged him up at pick number 147. He has great vision and playmaking ability, along with patience to make big plays happen. Due to his size, he isn't as gritty as he should be and sometimes plays the perimeter. He can shoot, but he prefers puck handling and playmaking. Knocks on Audette are his defensive abilities, as he is often a liability and his skating, which is not as great as it should be for a guy his size. If he improves on his play when he is without the puck, and becomes more determined in the dirty areas, Montreal could have another 5th round steal(ala Brendan Gallagher).
Hayden Hawkey, Goalie, Omaha Lancers - What a name! Hawkey should have been drafted just because of his name, but the Habs took him at 177th overall to solidify their depth in goaltending prospects. Hawkey is another player who the Habs expect to follow the 5 year plan. Hawkey is very well positionally and technically, however his rebound control is not great, and he needs to work on playing the puck. Hawkey was the goaltender of the year in the USHL last season, and the first goalie in 12 years to have less than 2.00 GAA in the league. While he has a lot to work on, Hawkey also has a very high ceiling.
Jake Evans, Center, St.Michaels Buzzers - Selected 207th overall, Evans is a two-way forward who should also play his full 4 years of university hockey. Offensively, he is more of a playmaker than a scorer, and has good vision. If he pans out, he should be a bottom six forward who is defensively sound and chips in some offence from time to time.
