Oooo fun, this is my list based on progression/upside/opinion and completely ignoring risk/odds. Should be fun to look back at
Tier One (Top Line F/Top Pair D):
1. Sean Farrell
Had it not been for Harvard’s season getting cancelled bc of covid he’d have a roster spot next season. Has the pedigree and potential of an elite forward. US hockey knows this and with the Habs/US Hockey connections i’m sure the new management feels the same. He’s in a tier of his own for forwards here and no one is close.
2. Jordan Harris
He blew my low expectations out of the water in his few NHL games. His combination of skating/poise and zero puck movers aside from Wideman I feel he’ll be MSL’s pet and move up the lineup with ease. I think he’s a player that will benefit when surrounded with NHL talent. Analytic darling #3/4 is more likely but my gut can’t rule out top pair so he’s here.
Tier Two (Top 6F/Top 4D):
3. Justin Barron
Chad pickup. Confidence and poise oozing in the O-Zone and non existent in the D-Zone. I think he’s ready but I totally understand if he’s with Laval next year. PP2 quarterback.
4. Kaiden Guhle
I like what I see, intriguing stuff. I’d prefer he‘s on the big club next year surrounded with NHL talent. I don’t see Laval doing much for his offense.
5. Josh Roy
I don’t see it, i’m sorry. I think we have a product of the worst QMJHL i’ve seen in my lifetime, but I can’t ignore the progress and pedigree. Ranking him outside of this tier feels overly pessimistic.
Tier Three (Middle 6F/Bottom Pair D)
6. Jesse Ylonen
Can fix his flaws with speed. Safe bet to be regular bottom 6 forward with a positive impact.
7. Raphael Harvey Pinard
He’s worked his ass off to get to where he is and I see no reason he doesn’t get a full NHL season in his career, even if it’s not with us.
8. Riley Kidney
Long shot prospect but there’s no arguing the skill and progression. Too bad the Q stinks, we won’t know what we have here until it comes time for the AHL.
Tier Four (Depth NHLers)
9. Jan Mysak
The forgotten prospect who will quietly pump out a season or two as a 12th/13th forward and makes you go “wait he actually made it?”
10. Emil Heinemen
No read on this guy besides being a worse Ylonen. HuGo likes him so he’ll get a chunk of NHL games I would think.
Tier Five (a few NHL games/below replacement NHLers)
11. Logan Mailloux
Stupid pick, fun gamble. Loved the upside but there’s just zero chance this guys catches up on lost time. CHL/AHL adjustment is hard enough. Lost cause. Gets a game because he was a 1st round pick.
12. Mathias Norlinder
Can’t help but feel like he was Bergevin’d and wrecked by concussions. Might get a cup of coffee next year but good luck. You were my chosen one before Harris.
Tier Six (I like them but it’s pure hopium):
13. Xavier Simoneau
Pure hopium because I love small point farmers from the Q. Loved the pick. Let’s hope for a nice AHL season next year.
14. Luke Tuch
I think we see a regression to the mean here, he was drafted to be a fun 4th liner anyway. Long live the Tuch Mysak Prohecy.
15. Ty Smilanic
Bought the dip? Maybe Wisconsin can fix him.
16. Josh Brook
Not ready to write him off yet. My confidence in Laval is getting a bit stronger.
Tier Seven (AHLer)
17. Arber Xhekaj
Crystal ball says he does not make the pro jump smoothly and gets swapped for an AHLer in two seasons. I’ve had a ton of fun watching him though, cool story too.
18. Gianni Fairbrother
19. Joel Teasdale
Tier Eight (Pro player in some capacity/Not Signed)
21. Oliver Kapanen
22. Blake Biondi
23. Rhett Pitlick
Tier Nine (Who?)
20. Dimitri Kostenko
This guy was a third rounder? First time i’ve read his name since the draft. Is there something here?
Tier 10 (The Trevor Timmins Memorial Graveyard)
24. Jayden Struble
He’s better than this range but he was Timmins parting gift so he has to go here. DA GREEK FREAK.
25. Jack Smith
what the f***?
26. Arvid Henriksson
Pretty sure this guy was drafted when I was a freshman in high school. I can’t believe his name is still here lmao.
27. Kieran Ruchienski
I actually feel bad for him. The first ever pity pick in the hockey history. Unborn Habs fans will stumble across this on hockeydb in 20 years and laugh.
