As the Montreal Canadiens to keep re-building, the future is getting closer to fruition. Over the last few seasons, the Canadiens have acquired numerous draft picks, and coincidentally many of those picks are defenseman.
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In the meantime, the Canadiens will be evaluating what to do with all these prospects? The obvious choice would be to trade some of these prospects for more pressing needs, like Top-6 forwards.
Lane Hutson: 2022 round 2 #62 overall by Montreal Canadiens. Hutson is the highest ranking prospect, and will turn pro following the completion of the 2024 NCAA playoffs. Many scouts think Hutson is ready to make the leap straight into the NHL. Or with little seasoning in the AHL if needed.
Logan Mailloux: 2021 round 1, #31 overall by Montreal Canadiens. Mailloux is completing is first full season in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, and is most ready to play in the NHL. Mailloux is Laval’s MVP this season, establishing franchise highs for goals and points for a defeman.
David Reinbacher: 2023 round 1, #5 overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Reinbacher recently came to North America after having played the 2023-24 season in the SSwiss League. Reinbacher till has ways to go before he makes the leap to the NHL, but he’s definitely NHL material and will be a highly sought after prospect.
William Trudeau: 2021 round 4, 113 overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Not too many people talk about Trudeau. he’s now completing his second full season in the AHL. and he might be considered a long term project, and a 3rd pairing defenceman.
Justin Barron: 2020 round 1, #25 overall by Colorado Avalanche. Acquired from Colorado Avalanche in the Artturi Lehkonen trade, Barron has already had some NHL under his belt. He’s played half a season already with Montreal, but will end the season with Laval. Barron will most likely be in the NHL 2024-25, question is where.
What about players currently on the roster? Arber Xhekaj , Jayden Struble, and Jordan Harris are already every day players in the NHL. Would GM Hughes make a trade for any existing NHL player? Do they trade any of these players in hopes that they can tap into their prospect pool?
It should be an interesting 2024 off-season coming up.