The Montreal Canadiens had six prime 90 picks heading into the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. A very good draft is when you may get two regulars from it, which the Habs have already got. That alone is uncommon, however three and even 4 NHL gamers from one draft class would make this a fully superb draft for the previous head of novice scouting Trevor Timmins and former normal supervisor (GM) Marc Bergevin.
4 years post-draft, 4 picks from this class look as if they may change into common NHL gamers. Two have already met that degree, whereas two extra have taken a while to develop however have regarded superb on the professional degree of their restricted expertise.
The 2 who’ve change into NHL regulars (Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Alex Romanov) had been seen as reaches when the Habs drafted them and now appear to be stable NHLers. Saying that this draft might be the most effective for the Canadiens since 2000 could seem very daring when put into the identical class because the 2007 Draft that featured Max Pacioretty and P.Okay. Subban. But when these 4 gamers proceed to progress and change into the gamers that they had been projected to change into, it might even problem the impression of the 2007 Draft. Whereas some have moved on, the return on funding continues to impression Montreal’s roster.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, third General
Positive, there are questions that Kotkaniemi was the appropriate decide at third total, however he was a mission when drafted, anticipated to solely make his debut about two years after being drafted. Nevertheless, he made his debut at 18 and had a robust rookie marketing campaign, displaying that he certainly may play instantly.
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Sadly, his sophomore season was stuffed with accidents and slumps, which resulted in him having a stint within the AHL with the Laval Rocket. The stint was the most effective factor for the younger Finnish ahead, because it allowed him to dominate his competitors. However his 2019-20 season ended early when he injured his spleen.
Fortunately for him, the entire world hit pause because the COVID pandemic began, and with that, it allowed him to return to the Canadiens for the playoff play-in. It was right here that Kotkaniemi flashed the two-way centre abilities that attracted the scouting employees to him with two stable playoff performances. Within the 2020 bubble playoffs, he scored 4 objectives in 10 video games, all 4 had been key tallies. Within the 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Closing, he scored eight factors in 19 video games, together with an extra time objective in Sport 6 of the first-round matchup versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
His inconsistent common seasons, nonetheless, precipitated negotiations for his first restricted free agent (RFA) contract to change into troublesome. Finally, he selected to signal a revenge supply sheet from the Carolina Hurricanes for one yr and $6.1 million, giving the Canadiens a 2021 first-round and 2021 third-round decide as compensation. Quickly after, the Habs traded the primary for middle Christian Dvorak from the Arizona Coyotes who fills the two-way middle function they hoped Kotkaniemi would ultimately fill. Whereas this participant is not with the franchise and his improvement has been underwhelming, he’s nonetheless an everyday NHL participant, elsewhere.
Jesse Ylonen, thirty fifth General
The second decide of that draft, Jesse Ylonen, is getting into his third professional season in North America and has been the most effective gamers on the American Hockey League (AHL) Laval Rocket. In his first full season in Laval, he scored 14 objectives and 36 factors in 52 video games, in addition to two objectives and 5 factors in a call-up to the Canadiens. He completed the 2021-22 season with the fourth-highest level whole on the Rocket. Ylonen has confirmed that he can drive play on a nightly foundation within the AHL.
Ylonen turned took on an everyday function within the NHL in 2022-23, showing in 37 video games and scoring 16 factors. Contemplating that every one of his NHL appearances occurred after Jan. 1, it’s probably that he begins the 2023-24 season in Montreal.
Alexander Romanov, thirty eighth General
Romanov was a comparatively unknown defenseman on draft day again in 2018, however he rapidly gained notoriety by profitable the highest defenseman award on the 2019 World Junior Championships. Drafted thirty eighth, he was projected by many scouts to be picked extra within the one centesimal decide vary however has confirmed he was a second-round steal.
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The 2019 World Junior Championship was a coming-out get together for Romanov, placing him on the map as a bonafide NHL prospect. That very same season, he was taking part in for CSKA Moscow because the youngest participant within the KHL through the 2018-19 season, which confirmed his sport had developed past most defenders in his age group. In his two seasons in Russia, his ice time was restricted, probably as a consequence of his need to depart and be a part of the NHL.
His decide provides yet one more NHL participant to the checklist for the Canadiens’ 2018 draft. Nevertheless, the heavy-hitting defender is not with Montreal as he was traded to the New York Islanders for the 2022 13th total decide that was then flipped to the Chicago Blackhawks in return for Kirby Dach. The gamble in that commerce is for the 21-year-old Dach to understand his potential as an offensively gifted top-six centerman with this recent begin.
Jordan Harris, 71st General
Jordan Harris is the fourth participant chosen by the Canadiens in 2018 who may change into an NHL common and has been named to the 2022-23 opening evening roster. With their second third-round draft decide that yr, the scouting employees took an opportunity and guess on his long-term potential.
The Northeastern College alumnus spent his full 4 seasons within the NCAA, rising and growing his sport making him a wise, two-way defenseman who can change into a quiet but regular presence on the blue line. Throughout his last season within the NCAA, there was some debate about whether or not Harris would really signal with the group.
Below Bergevin’s regime, the priority was that Harris would wait till he can signal elsewhere as a UFA. But with new administration in place, beneath GM Kent Hughes, the Canadiens lastly obtained Harris signed on the conclusion of his collegiate profession, making his NHL debut late within the 2021-22 season taking part in 10 video games and scoring one objective on a workforce that completed 32nd within the NHL.
Having 4 NHL gamers chosen in a single draft class would make the 2018 Habs class a fully superb draft, probably even the most effective one since 2000. Whereas two of the gamers have moved on, the gamers acquired in return may nonetheless change into higher than these traded away. If all 4 remaining in a Canadiens sweater attain their potential they may play a key function in hastening the rebuild.
