Photo courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI
By Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell)
With the 2012 NHL Entry Draft now in the past, it’s time to examine which team had the best draft in both addressing team needs and drafting the most talent. While the answer to those two questions won’t be answered and proven for at least a few years, I’m going to select my ‘early draft winner’ based on my own personal knowledge.
As previously stated, it is tough at this point to know for sure which teams drafted well and which teams did not, but in my opinion the early draft winner is the Montreal Canadiens.
In his first draft as the General Manager of the Canadiens, Marc Bergevin not only addressed team needs while selecting, but often so that ‘team need’ was the best player available on the draft board.
Here is a closer look at the players Bergevin and the Canadiens brass were lucky enough to get their hands on, as well as how they ranked in TheHockeyGuys’ collaborated top-60 draft rankings.
Round 1, pick 3: C – Alex Galchenyuk – Sarnia, OHL (ranked #2)
In my opinion Bergevin hit the ball out of the park with this pick. I label Galchenyuk as a ‘can’t miss prospect’ and believe that long-term he will be the best player in this draft class. Yes, I think he’ll be better than Nail Yakupov. Could I be wrong? Absolutely, but Galchenyuk has all the tools needed to be a star in the NHL. He’s a big, strong, skilled center. While he is not overly physical, he’ll use his size when he needs to. He has great vision, is an excellent playmaker, has a very good shot and some of the best hands I’ve seen on a player. He’s passionate, he works hard and he could very well earn a spot on the Canadiens roster this year.
Round 2, pick 33: RW – Sebastian Collberg – Frolunda, SEL (ranked #13)
Collberg is a player who absolutely fell on the Canadiens lap. He’s a very skilled Swedish winger who has elite skating ability. He has great hands, vision, hockey sense and a good, accurate shot. While he will need a few years to develop his skills and better learn the game, he does have the potential to become a first line winger at some point in his career. He didn’t register any points in the Swedish Elite League, but that speaks volumes to the ice time he saw. He played about five minutes per game and was going up against men. His performance with Sweden at the World Juniors better exemplifies the potential he has.
Round 2, pick 51: D Dalton Thrower – Saskatoon, WHL (ranked #28)
Projected to be a late first rounder by many, Thrower, like Collberg, fell right on the Canadiens lap. The small (5’11″), yet hard hitting, blue liner projects to be a top-four defenseman who can take care of things at both ends of the rink. He can skate, rush the puck well and has quite a bit of offensive upside. His 54 points in 66 games with the Blades in the Western Hockey league this past season prove it. From what I’m told he’s no slouch defensively, either. The Canadiens were extremely lucky to land him where they did.
Round 3, pick 64: LW Tim Bozon – Kamloops, WHL (ranked #43)
As you can tell by where the staff at TheHockeyGuys have Bozon ranked, the Canadiens did very well to get him, too. He’s a solid two-way forward who uses his speed and skill set very effectively to create offense. He’s very good offensively, as previously stated, and he will help out defensively, too. He recorded 71 points in 71 games in the WHL this past season and has shown the upside is definitely there. I imagine he could find himself in the Canadiens top-six a few years down the road.
Round 4, pick 94: C Brady Vail – Windsor, OHL (ranked #57)
I saw Vail a few times in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires this past season, and I was very impressed with what I saw. While his offensive upside is somewhere between that of a second or third line center, I really like him. He’s a very smart player, he understands how to play the game and he’s a very good skater. He’s great defensively and prides himself in playing as well in his own end as his opposition’s. He can kill penalties, and he’s not out of place on the powerplay, either. Long-term I think he’ll be a third line center who can play in all situations, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he develops into a second line center.
Round 5, pick 121: LW Charles Hudon – Chicoutimi, QMJHL (ranked #58)
Once again, the Canadiens landed a potential steal. While Hudon is quite small, his speed and skill set more than make up for what he gives in size. Here’s the report on him courtesy of TheHockeyGuys top-60 rankings: “Hudon is one of the best pure playmaking players in this year’s draft. His creativity paired with his puck control and passing skills should make him an attractive asset come draft time. His best asset is his hockey sense as he rarely makes a bad play displaying poise under pressure.”
His size, or lack thereof, likely plays a large role in why he slipped so far, but if he works hard and adds some muscle, the skill set is definitely there to prove people he can be an effective NHL player.
Round 6, pick 154: LW Erik Nystrom – Modo JR, JR SEL (not ranked)
I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen much of Nystrom’s play besides some highlights and clips online. That said, he appears to be a small-risk high-reward pick. He’s a very talented guy and if all works out he could be a top-six forward down the road. Is he likely to reach that potential? Probably not, but he was one of the more talented players remaining in the draft. Based on how the Canadiens drafted earlier, they could afford to take a risk on a player hoping he pans out.
All in all, I think the Bergevin and Canadiens had a fantastic draft. They really stocked their system with very good prospects, and filled positional needs while doing so. How will these players develop? Nobody knows, and nobody will know for several years. An injury or an event that happens in a player’s life could change everything. That said, the Canadiens are undoubtedly my early draft winners. That will be very evident if even a few of these guys and reach their full potential.
Montreal Canadiens 2012 draft picks
Round 1, pick 3: C – Alex Galchenyuk – Sarnia, OHL (ranked #2)
Round 2, pick 33: RW – Sebastian Collberg – Frolunda, SEL (ranked #13)
Round 2, pick 51: D Dalton Thrower – Saskatoon, WHL (ranked #28)
Round 3, pick 64: LW Tim Bozon – Kamloops, WHL (ranked #43)
Round 4, pick 94: C Brady Vail – Windsor, OHL (ranked #57)
Round 5, pick 121: LW Charles Hudon – Chicoutimi, QMJHL (ranked #58)
Round 6, pick 154: LW Erik Nystrom – Modo JR, JR SEL (not ranked)
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com
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