MONTREAL, QC -- Roughly 24 hours prior to the 2019 SIM Net 1 draft, the Canadiens made a trade deal with the Vegas Golden Knights sending the Stars' 2nd round pick in the 2020 draft to the Golden Knights for a total of eight draft picks in this year's draft. The Canadiens did all they could to use their picks wisely. "We've got some current prospects in our system that we will likely be cutting ties with this season and need to start adding some new names. Our scouts were very busy during the draft," stated GM Mike Cooley.

 

Cooley's team started the 2019 draft taking defenseman Simon Lundmark with their 3rd round (63rd overall) pick. At 6'2" 197 pounds, the Swede isn't known for being a two-way defenseman, but more so for blocking shooting lanes, landing the crushing hits and logging the penalty minutes. "He's a defenseman's defenseman," added Cooley.

 

With the team's second pick, the Canadiens drafted center Matthew Stienburg (3rd round, 68th overall). Stienburg can use his size to help him and his teammates find the back of the net. At 6'1" 185 pounds, he is capable of playing C or RW and can potentially be an offensive threat in the future for the Habs.

 

With one more pick left in the third round, the Habs selected defenseman Zachary Jones (3rd round, 71st overall). Unlike Lundmark, Jones plays much more like an offensive defenseman. It's too early to tell where Jones projects in the future, but at 5'10" 176 pounds and his knack for creating offensive plays, it wouldn't be surprising if his UMASS team maybe tries him in a winger position.

 

After three, third round picks...the Habs moved into the fourth round taking a player that is arguably a "steal" of a pick in Michael Teply at 94th overall. Teply is a big winger capable of being an offensive threat with top-six upside, although, the defensive game and skating aren't his strong suits.

 

A short time later, the team took center Viktor Lodin with their 4th round 106th overall pick. While Lodin has raw skills that are yet to be developed, with the right amount of coaching and encouragement, this kid could take his outstanding puck skills and creativity to a whole new level. In close quarters, he will shift left only to break right leaving defenders wondering. Lodin will be more of a project player down the road, but does have a decent amount of upside.

 

Continuing in the 4th round, the Canadiens drafted center Yegor Spiridonov at 116th overall. Spiridonov is a two-way, Russian center that can kill penalties with the best of them. He doesn't shy away from puck battles along the boards and will do all he can to help move the puck up the boards and out of the zone. Still to early to tell where Spiridonov might play into the Habs' plans.

 

Moving into the 5th round, the Canadiens decided to trade away the Lightning's pick to the Dallas Stars in exchange for left winger AJ Greer. When asked about the trade, GM Cooley replied, "While AJ [Greer] might not light up the score sheet every night, he's a guy that's not afraid to get into the dirty areas and fight for the puck. Scoring is nice, but it only happens when you've got a good forecheck and guys that can provide a little muscle for you in order to create that turnover and scoring opportunity."

 

After the trade, the Habs took right wing Arseny Gritsyuk in the 5th round at 130th overall. While there doesn't seem like there's much to Gritsyuk, he can create space for himself much like Viktor Lodin and be a potential offensive threat at times. Patience with Gritsyuk's development could payoff with time.

 

Four picks later, the team drafted defenseman Samuel Sjolund with the 134th overall pick. While Sjolund appears to be another project pick, he's a two-way defenseman that makes strong defensive plays in his own zone and can create offensive opportunities as well. It's just a matter of putting it all together at just the right time and moving up the depth chart.

 

Next up...Montreal continued adding to their young defensive corps drafting defenseman Max Crozier at 138th overall. The 6'1" 194 pound blueliner projects as a two-way puck moving defenseman who could top out as a third pairing blueliner. If so, he could become a 5th round steal moving forward.

 

The Montreal Canadiens wrapped up their 2019 draft selecting center Trevor Janicke with the 149th overall pick. Janicke can play with a high level of confidence and energy while on the ice. His vision allows him to read the netminder making him a potential offensive threat going forward.

 

In summary, while none of the Canadien's picks are a slam dunk guarantee to crack the team's lineup, there is a lot of potential there to work with and the future looks bright in Montreal.