Slats432
Registered User
When you try to go on a playoff run you usually divest of many assets to make a push, including many of your top prospects. Gone the past season and a half are Alexander Holtz, Filip Bystedt, Lukas Pajer, Thomas Harley, Tyson Forester, Zachary L'Heureux, Ayrton Martino, Ronnie Attard, and Michael Buchinger. Even with all the notable deletions there are still a few prospects that may turn out for the Canadiens. Here they are:
1. Joakim Kemmell, LW (Drafted 12th OV 2022)
(5'11", 183 lbs) (12GP 5-6-11pts AHL Milwaukee Admirals)
Kemell is a well-rounded winger who has almost every NHL attribute you want other than the size at 5-foot-11. He brings skill and speed to his shifts, showing the ability to carry the puck up ice and create chances for himself and his teammates. Currently playing at near a PPG pace in the AHL and still only 18 years old.
2. Corson Ceulemans, D (Drafted 33rd OV 2022)
(6'2", 198 lbs) (10GP 1-1-2pts AHL Cleveland)
"Corson Ceulemans is an outstanding young defenseman who excels at both ends of the ice and we are thrilled that he is beginning his professional career this spring,"said GM Bachul. "He combines size and strength with excellent mobility and a knack to produce offensively and we are excited about his future with our organization."
Ceulemans, 19, recorded eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points with 38 penalty minutes, four power play goals and 92 shots on goal in 33 contests at the University of Wisconsin in 2022-23. The sophomore finished third on the team in assists, points (tied), PIM and PPG (tied) and led club blueliners in goals, assists, points, PIM, PPG and shots. He finished the season with 2-6-8 in the last nine contests, including a five-game points streak from February 18-March 4 (2-3-5). Currently finishing out the season in the AHL.
3. Rafael Lavoie, C, RW (Acquired from Boston Bruins)
(6'4" 216 lbs) (59GP 25-19-44pts AHL Bakersfield)
Big goal scoring winger that has the ability to take over games when he wants to. Consistency is a concern at this point but the tools are there for him to be a top six winger. Has turned up the heat this year in the AHL and looks to move to the big club in the upcoming season.
4. Henry Thrun, D (Acquired from Toronto Maple Leafs)
(6'2" 190 lbs) (8GP 0-2-2 NHL)
Thrun could become an effective puck-moving defenceman with the ability to play top-four minutes if he develops properly. He will need to continue to work on his defensive game, with his play away from the puck needing some work as well as continue to add muscle to his frame. After two ppg years in Harvard and a start to his pro career Thrun is trending well.
5. Simon Robertsson, RW (Drafted 32nd 2021)
(6'0" 190 lbs) (16 GP 5-2-7 Skelleftea SHL)
He pushes his top hand from his body and fully engages the lever-motion downforce on his stick for a mechanically clean shot with plenty of zip and accuracy. Robertsson couples that shot with savvy off-the-puck timing to make him a consistent scoring threat in the offensive zone. Still highly regarded, may need a year or two of development.
6. Ludwig Persson, C, LW (Drafted 91st 2022)
(6'0" 185 lbs) (45GP 4-11-15 BIK HockeyAllsvenskan)
Persson’s hockey sense is his best attribute. The Frölunda forward consistently displays an understanding of positioning and spacing on the ice and of how to open up gaps in the opposing coverage with his skating, especially off of the rush. He’s also an effective playmaker, using manipulation in the form of look-offs and body feints to open up passing lanes to find his teammates. Still developing but has signed and will start in the AHL.
7. Bryce McConnell Barker, C (Drafted 92nd 2022)
(6'2" 194 lbs) (68GP 30-47-77 Soo Greyhounds OHL)
The centreman’s supporting game is his biggest asset. He’s the link between all of his teammates' plays, a predictable and timely ally all on the ice, offensively and defensively. He understands the shutdown game, the necessity to balance pressure and effort with sound positioning, to remove options from the opposition, and limit the time spent running around the defensive zone. Signed and will play in the AHL to start.
8. Jakub Dobes, G (Drafted 129th 2021)
(6'5" 201 lbs) (40GP 2.31 GAA .918 SV)
Dobes had another solid season at Ohio State. He’s a huge presence in the net, playing a butterfly/hybrid style. His mechanics are sound. He relies heavily on his positional play. When he’s square there isn’t much for shooters to look at. Just signed to a two year entry level deal to being in the American League.
9. Matt Kessel, D (Free Agency)
(6'3" 203 lbs) (68GP 5-26-31 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL)
"[Kessel] took huge strides in 21-22, has developed even further in 22-23 in the AHL. Get that experience from not only just the AHL, but AHL playoffs was ramped up even more, so he's got a real good taste of what to expect to train and get ready for next year. … We thought highly of him, but now watching his feet play and his puck positioning and his heads-up and little internal plays that he makes to open up guys at the pro level, it gives us a real sense of gratitude knowing that it was a great experience for him, and this guy now is going to know what it's going to be all about at our next training camp." -Bachul
10. Alex Jeffries, LW (Drafted 126th 2021)
(6'0" 194 lbs) (38GP 14-27-41 Merrimack NCAA)
Jefferies, 21, was recently named a Hockey East First team All-Star for the 2022-23 season and was a runner-up for the conference's Player of the Year award that prospect Devon Levi won. The Lunenburg, MA native is coming off a breakout season that saw him increase his sophomore point total of 23 up to 41, putting up 14 goals and 27 assists in 36 games. He has become one of the offensive leaders on a Merrimack team that also improved their record from last season, going from 19-15-1 to 23-13-1 this season (including playoffs).
HM Jaxson Stauber G.
1. Joakim Kemmell, LW (Drafted 12th OV 2022)
(5'11", 183 lbs) (12GP 5-6-11pts AHL Milwaukee Admirals)
Kemell is a well-rounded winger who has almost every NHL attribute you want other than the size at 5-foot-11. He brings skill and speed to his shifts, showing the ability to carry the puck up ice and create chances for himself and his teammates. Currently playing at near a PPG pace in the AHL and still only 18 years old.
2. Corson Ceulemans, D (Drafted 33rd OV 2022)
(6'2", 198 lbs) (10GP 1-1-2pts AHL Cleveland)
"Corson Ceulemans is an outstanding young defenseman who excels at both ends of the ice and we are thrilled that he is beginning his professional career this spring,"said GM Bachul. "He combines size and strength with excellent mobility and a knack to produce offensively and we are excited about his future with our organization."
Ceulemans, 19, recorded eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points with 38 penalty minutes, four power play goals and 92 shots on goal in 33 contests at the University of Wisconsin in 2022-23. The sophomore finished third on the team in assists, points (tied), PIM and PPG (tied) and led club blueliners in goals, assists, points, PIM, PPG and shots. He finished the season with 2-6-8 in the last nine contests, including a five-game points streak from February 18-March 4 (2-3-5). Currently finishing out the season in the AHL.
3. Rafael Lavoie, C, RW (Acquired from Boston Bruins)
(6'4" 216 lbs) (59GP 25-19-44pts AHL Bakersfield)
Big goal scoring winger that has the ability to take over games when he wants to. Consistency is a concern at this point but the tools are there for him to be a top six winger. Has turned up the heat this year in the AHL and looks to move to the big club in the upcoming season.
4. Henry Thrun, D (Acquired from Toronto Maple Leafs)
(6'2" 190 lbs) (8GP 0-2-2 NHL)
Thrun could become an effective puck-moving defenceman with the ability to play top-four minutes if he develops properly. He will need to continue to work on his defensive game, with his play away from the puck needing some work as well as continue to add muscle to his frame. After two ppg years in Harvard and a start to his pro career Thrun is trending well.
5. Simon Robertsson, RW (Drafted 32nd 2021)
(6'0" 190 lbs) (16 GP 5-2-7 Skelleftea SHL)
He pushes his top hand from his body and fully engages the lever-motion downforce on his stick for a mechanically clean shot with plenty of zip and accuracy. Robertsson couples that shot with savvy off-the-puck timing to make him a consistent scoring threat in the offensive zone. Still highly regarded, may need a year or two of development.
6. Ludwig Persson, C, LW (Drafted 91st 2022)
(6'0" 185 lbs) (45GP 4-11-15 BIK HockeyAllsvenskan)
Persson’s hockey sense is his best attribute. The Frölunda forward consistently displays an understanding of positioning and spacing on the ice and of how to open up gaps in the opposing coverage with his skating, especially off of the rush. He’s also an effective playmaker, using manipulation in the form of look-offs and body feints to open up passing lanes to find his teammates. Still developing but has signed and will start in the AHL.
7. Bryce McConnell Barker, C (Drafted 92nd 2022)
(6'2" 194 lbs) (68GP 30-47-77 Soo Greyhounds OHL)
The centreman’s supporting game is his biggest asset. He’s the link between all of his teammates' plays, a predictable and timely ally all on the ice, offensively and defensively. He understands the shutdown game, the necessity to balance pressure and effort with sound positioning, to remove options from the opposition, and limit the time spent running around the defensive zone. Signed and will play in the AHL to start.
8. Jakub Dobes, G (Drafted 129th 2021)
(6'5" 201 lbs) (40GP 2.31 GAA .918 SV)
Dobes had another solid season at Ohio State. He’s a huge presence in the net, playing a butterfly/hybrid style. His mechanics are sound. He relies heavily on his positional play. When he’s square there isn’t much for shooters to look at. Just signed to a two year entry level deal to being in the American League.
9. Matt Kessel, D (Free Agency)
(6'3" 203 lbs) (68GP 5-26-31 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL)
"[Kessel] took huge strides in 21-22, has developed even further in 22-23 in the AHL. Get that experience from not only just the AHL, but AHL playoffs was ramped up even more, so he's got a real good taste of what to expect to train and get ready for next year. … We thought highly of him, but now watching his feet play and his puck positioning and his heads-up and little internal plays that he makes to open up guys at the pro level, it gives us a real sense of gratitude knowing that it was a great experience for him, and this guy now is going to know what it's going to be all about at our next training camp." -Bachul
10. Alex Jeffries, LW (Drafted 126th 2021)
(6'0" 194 lbs) (38GP 14-27-41 Merrimack NCAA)
Jefferies, 21, was recently named a Hockey East First team All-Star for the 2022-23 season and was a runner-up for the conference's Player of the Year award that prospect Devon Levi won. The Lunenburg, MA native is coming off a breakout season that saw him increase his sophomore point total of 23 up to 41, putting up 14 goals and 27 assists in 36 games. He has become one of the offensive leaders on a Merrimack team that also improved their record from last season, going from 19-15-1 to 23-13-1 this season (including playoffs).
HM Jaxson Stauber G.
