On Monday, TSN’s Bob McKenzie released his final draft ranking. Unsurprisingly, Matthew Schaefer from the Erie Oters leads the way just ahead of Michael Misa and Porter Martone. Anton Frondell and Caleb Desnoyers complete the top five. But unless there is a significant coup by Kent Hughes before the first round kicks off on Friday night, all these players will be long gone from the board when the Montreal Canadiens make their first selection at 16th overall.
Who does the insider have at 16th overall? QMJHL product Justin Carbonneau. The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada player and Lévis native has had a great season, scoring 89 points in 62 games. Nick Bobrov attended many of his games, indicating that the Canadiens have at least some interest in the prospect.
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At the combine, the Canadiens met the young man and, speaking to TVA Sports’ journalist afterwards, the Quebecer confirmed it would be an honour for him to be the first Quebecer picked in the first round by the Canadiens since Louis Leblanc in 2009.
There has been some chatter about his body language on the ice and his decision to dismiss his agent via email, but given the talent displayed on the ice, I doubt they’d pass on him for that reason.
At 17th overall, the Windsor Spitfires center is Jack Nesbitt. At nearly 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 185 pounds, the left-shot pivot put up 64 points in 65 games this season in the OHL. He’s got the size and the compete level to impose himself physically, and he’s not afraid to get to the dirty areas and battle for pucks. This is the kind of player the Canadiens could need to make a longer appearance in the playoffs, even though he won’t be ready right away.
Of course, McKenzie’s list doesn’t mean things will unfold exactly that way, but the man has in-depth prospect knowledge and is generally well-informed. We’ll see on Friday night if things unfold as he believed they should.
Photo credit: Michael Augello
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