I kept Domi and Drouin because they're still very young. The rest of the lineup consists of the team's best prospects at each position.
Left wing: Drouin is a great top-six winger, but after that, it drops drastically. However, Ikonen, McShane and Fonstad all have top-9, maybe even top-6 potential, but there's no clear cut top-6 winger except for Drouin. With our 1st round pick this year, we could maybe draft Arthur Kaliyev, who despite his flaws, is projected as a productive top-6 sniper.
Rating: C+
Center: I can't believe I'm saying this, but the future of the team at the most important position in hockey is very bright! We have ourselves a clear cut 1C in Kotkaniemi, who does everything you would ask for in a 1C (shooting, passing, hockey IQ, defense). At the 2C position, we have Max Domi, who has excelled at center since he joined the Canadiens, even if he was seen as a left wing. Even if he's moved to the wing, the center depth will still be great. Ryan Poehling is a promising player whose upside is a 2C-3C on a top tier team. This is probably the best center depth the Habs had in years!
Rating: A-
Right wing: Suzuki is an amazing prospect, and he can and should play in the top-6 quite effectively. He can do everything (shooting, passing, hockey IQ,, etc.) His only flaw, which he can easily work on, is his skating. Other than that, he's a great addition. Jesse Ylonen is a speedster with amazing stickhandling who would be great as a 2nd line winger and I believe he has a ton of upside. Evans could be good on the third line with his great hockey sense. All in all, we could use a bit more firepower but it's still solid if everything pans out.
Rating: B
Left defense: One of our biggest flaws is our LHD depth. I personnally think that we still don't have a high-end LHD but I really like Romanov's upside as a top-4 D, as well as Victor Mete's. Tyszka and Harris are more long-term projects but they could definetly pay off, as they have good upside.
Rating: B-
Right defense: I really like Josh Brook, who exploded this year offensively in the WHL. He could be our best defenseman, along with Romanov. Juulsen is not as good as we expected, but I still think he could be great as a shutdown defenseman. Fleury has a bummer of a shot, and brings physicality to the team. I like it, but we could maybe snag defensemen in the draft.
Rating: B-
Goaltenders: Primeau has the potential to be a starter. I still can't believe we managed to snag him with a 7th round pick, as he has turned into the biggest steal of the draft. His incredible play in the NCAA, as well as in the WJC made his value skyrocket. Greatly poised, he is my favorite Habs prospect. McNiven was a great goalie in Owen Sound, and even if he struggled a bit in the AHL, I still think he has decent upside and could definetly be a backup goalie in the NHL.
Rating: B
In conclusion, the Habs prospect pool is not perfect and we definetly need more pieces to become a contender, but after the Price and Weber era, the youth of the team is not looking too bad.
love the analysis. but i think in 2-3 years when poehling is ready for a top 6 role, domi moves to left wing. not that he can't play center, but we have a wealth of centers coming up.
I like it. A lot of dominoes have to fall into place, but the depth is there. That said, I think expecting Olofsson to emerge as an NHLer is starting to look like wishful thinking. Barring an explanation like mono or some other affliction, he is looking iffy. That said, Evans has the makings of a good fourth-line C and, frankly, if you're keeping Drouin and Domi, Danault is only a year or so older.
On D, Fleury should eclipse Juulsen, and Kulak (same age as Domi and Drouin) has proven he can play at a 5-6 level in the NHL. And don't forget Gustav Olofsson, who missed this year after reconstructive surgery on his shoulder. He's another 2013 draft pick who shows promise.
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