Prospect Rankings

Team: 2018-19 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 24, 2019

Published: Feb. 24, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Since it is the trade deadline and some fans want to trade prospects for rentals and what not, seems like a good time to evaluate the habs prospects. I tried to find active NHL comparables for the habs top prospects. The comparibles are mainly guys who were developed in the same league and put up similar numbers, playing similar roles and positions, while being drafted close to each other. I tried to stay conservative when it came to potential (for example even though I compare Brook to Keith I don't say Brook projects to be a top pairing D, but it's a safe bet he will be a top 4). I also used the comparibles to estimate when the prospects ETA's are (the first full NHL season.) Also I only used guys drafted in 2017 and 2018. Anyways here we go:

#1. Jesperi Kotkaniemi
- Projection: #1C
- NHL Comparible: Alexander Barkov
- NHL ETA: Already an NHL'r.
- Notes: Kotkaniemi is having a better rookie season in the NHL than Barkov, although it helps that he is on a decent team unlike Florida in Barkov's rookie year. It took Barkov 2 years to be one a #1C, so it is reasonable to project Kotkaniemi to be a #1C for the habs in 2020-21.

#2. Ryan Poehling
- Projection: Top 6 C
- NHL Comparibles: Kevin Hayes, Nick Schmaltz, Mikko Koivu
- NHL ETA: 2020-21
- Notes: Schmaltz (drafted 20th overall) and Hayes (drafted 24th overall) are good comparison's of C's that came through the NCAA. Hayes had a slower development, but is playing like a #1C this season. Schmaltz is a good 2nd line C, and had a comparible world juniors to poehling. Lastly Koivu was added as a comparison based on his coaches opinion. Poehling will likely need another year of college or a full year of AHL development before he is NHL ready.

#3 Alexander Romanov
- Projection: Top 4 LD
- NHL Comparibles: Dimitri Orlov, Ivan Provorov
- NHL ETA: 2021-22
- Notes: Orlov looks like a perfect comparible for Romanov, a physical, 30 point, top 4 LD. I think that is Romanov's floor, but after a very impressive world juniors comparisons can be made to Ivan Provorov. Romanov doesn't have very impressive numbers in the KHL (similar to Orlov), however he is playing for the best team in the league and I'm pretty sure the KHL can dress 8 defenseman. Just making the team as an 18 year old is impressive. Next year romanov will play a huge role for russia in the world juniors, and by then we should be able to determine if he is more like Orlov (Top 4 D) or Provorov (Top 2 D).

#4 Josh Brook
- Projection: Top 4 RD
- NHL Comparison: Duncan Keith
- NHL ETA: 2021-22
- Notes: Brooks development at this point is practically identical to Keith's. Keith was drafted at 54th overall, Brook was drafted at 56th. At 19 years old, Keith scored at pace of 60 pts to Brooks 63 this year. Brook may need a couple AHL season's before he is ready, but he should be a top 4 dman for the habs. Expect him to replace Petry, who contract will expire before 2021-22.

#5 Nick Suzuki
- Projection: Top 6 Forward
- NHL Comparison: Brayden Point
- NHL ETA: 2020-21
- Notes: Suzuki is compared to Point because of similar size and roles in junior. Suzuki was drafted 13th overall vs Point at 79th overall due to a better draft year. Suzuki again had a better season than Point the following year, although suzuki didn't show much improvement unlike Point. Point then dominated Junior in his final season, Suzuki still doesn't seem like he has improved at all since he was drafted (production wise at least). Suzuki might take a bit longer, but I expect him to improve with a full year of NHL and he should be a top 6 guy for the habs. It's unlikely he becomes an elite talent like point, however you never know.

The rest of the guys are 2nd tier prospect for the habs in my opinion, but they still have solid NHL potential:

#6 Cayden Primeau
#7 Jesse Ylonen
#8 Joni Ikonen
#9 Cale Fluery
#10 Jacob Oloffson

Honourable Mentions:
- Allen McShane
- Cole Fonstad
- Brett Stapley
- Scott Walford
- Jordan Harris
- Jarret Tyzka

Below is what the habs roster could look like in 2021-22 based on the comparisons. I left petry in instead of Keith but he is basically brook.

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