Size Sticks to Game Plan in Chicago

The Habs had begun retooling their roster back before the trade deadline last year in prepration for the Expansion draft and the belief that their current plan had failed them since losing their shot at the championship at the end of the 2015-2016 season. 

That process continued into the 2017 EHE Entry Draft.

The Canadiens started with the 18th and 80th overall selections in the live portion of the EHE draft but did not select in either position. The Canadiens flipped the 18th selection over to Arizona in exchange for the 30th and 50th (which became 49th after a violation) overall picks.

#30 Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Size wasted little time going to his bread and butter for his first selection of the draft, selecting left shooting, puck moving defenseman, Pierre-Olivier Joseph. He fills the hole left by Adam Fox whom the Habs sent to Detroit in the Petr Mrazek deal during the year. At 6 feet, 180 pounds, Joseph is a mobile defender with a strong hockey sense but still needs to mature a bit.

"We really liked him, a hometown boy with a strong puck moving sense and someone that can distribute the puck with effectiveness."

#49 Morgan Frost, C, Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Size found a little bit of luck when Morgan Frost dropped all the way down to #49 in the EHE draft, a younger Center who lit up the OHL for 62 points in 67 games for the Greyhounds. He was a strong top line center for the Greyhounds and had great playmaking ability, he could also read the game very well and can slow the game down at times analysing the situation. He was also excellent in the faceoff circle as well, someone Size looks for in his centers and having someone that can dominate the faceoff circle will bode well as he will look to improve his game and be ready to crack the NHL roster in a couple years.

"The kid has a strong hockey sense and sees the ice very well. He has an ability to get the puck virtually anywhere he wants it to go which will be beneficial to his wingers. 

Size turns attention to the college market 

Size didnt want to focus all his attention during the draft to finding youth that wouldn't be ready for 2-3 years. Size had spent a good portion pre-draft to shuffle up his roster and start re-establishing a new, younger core that would allow the team to mature and build chemistry with a coach that was known to bind any locker room together.

Rather than draft in the third round, Size used that pick to acquire the 128th pick and Defensive prospect, Jordan Sambrook, from the LA Kings. Sambrook is another defender which Size coveted looking to replenish his prospect cabinet. A strong, two-way defenseman who has the ability to fill out the bottom 4 when he gets to the NHL level, Size loves his ability to shut down but also man the point and move the puck when needed.

#125 Mitch Hults, C, Lake Superior State University 

With the Habs shipping out Centers Claude Giroux and Phillip Danault to the Boston Bruins, the Habs needed to look at re-adding centers to their roster. With Quenneville slated to shift over to the wing, the Habs were able to snag Hults which should bode well for the Rocket as they look to reload as well. Hults was the leading scorer for the Lakers nabbing 34 points in 36 games and was effective both on the PP and PK which is something Size really likes in his forwards.

"Hults is a big, effective forward that will allow him to strongly play both sides of the puck, he's quick and can protect the puck which will make him very dangerous once his discipline matures."

#128 Sam Vigneault, C, Clarkson University

Size continued to load up the middle by selecting Vigneault with the pick they acquired from the Kings. Vigneault, 6'5", had 12 goals and 36 points in 39 games with Clarkson and developed into a very strong forward with a strong IQ and offensive vision. He's become more patient and has the ability to handle his own offensively but also be a very strong defensive center as well.

"He has the ability to play both sides of the puck, again, something we really like especially up the middle. To be able to grab both him and Hults has made our other offseason moves look much better."

#190 Adam Johnson, C/LW, University of Minnesota Duluth

With what could be the steal of the draft, Size was able to unearth the talented Johnson in the 7th round. A foward who has the ability to play all three forward positions was instrumental in getting Minnesota to the NCAA Frozen Four. He developed into the mature type player that became their top scorer with 37 points in 42 games. Overlooked in the past becuase he hadn't developped the maturity that was expected of him, getting him towards the end of the draft could prove to be a momnumental coup for the Habs as they fortified their center depth.

"We were surprised to see Johnson fall to us here at 190, we had him going maybe in the 5th or 6th but this is a great gift for us."

#191 -forfeited- 

It doesn't pay to take a bathroom break when you're Assistant GM is around

Shortly after selecting Adam Johnson with with 190th pick, Size had taken a quick second to go to the washroom, meanwhile, the loveable Assistant GM and Rocket President, Sofia Vasquez-Size, was playing around on the draft board and fell in love with forward Tyler Kelleher and wanted to steal him as well, not realizing that he was ineligible for the EHE draft as he did not have a valid NHL contract. By the time Papa came back, it was too late with Sofia selecting the forward. When Papa told her that it was a bad pick, she was heard storming off in a diva-esque fit towards her castle and remained there for the remainder of the draft. 

Papa could only shake his head.

#200 William Lagesson, D, University of Massachusetts

With their final pick, the Habs selected a more shut down style defenseman in Lagesson, playing better in his own zone but can somewhat contribute offensively. Size figured with having Joseph and Sambrook in the pipeline, the Habs could move to acquire a d-man who could shut things down in an instant and should help in a couple years as Lagesson will be playing overseas at least for next year.

"We like what he brings to the table, we will be in need of more shut down defenders and we feel that Lagesson will be ready to contribute after he develops a little more overseas."

Draft Analysis

Size is very pleased with the 6 new addditions to the organization, Size wasn't too interested in grabbing prospects that would take forever to get into the pro level, by selecting a strong contigent of college pros, the Habs will be able to reload both the farm and pro roster and continue to work on their recontruction project that has already been in the making.