2018 NHL Draft: 5 players the Montreal Canadiens need to draft

On June 22, Marc Bergevin will lead his seventh draft as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. Here are five prospects that he should consider targeting.

With five picks in the first two rounds of this year’s NHL Entry Draft, the Canadiens have a chance to replenish their prospect pool. After a season to forget, Habs fans finally have something to look forward to as the summer approaches.

I’m not under any illusions that Bergevin will utilize all of these picks to stock young talent. After years of running in place and whiffing spectacularly on major trades, his leash is getting shorter. Under pressure, it’s safe to say he will be trying to do everything he can to make it back to the playoffs in 2018-19. Trading one or more of these picks will solve some of their immediate problems. Whether that is the proper course of action or not is up for debate.

If the team can remain healthy next year and add scoring help up front without creating more holes, it is not inconceivable that they could make it back to the playoffs. They are only a year removed from a playoff appearance with only negligible roster differences.

With only $12 million in cap space entering the summer (before the raise), Montreal has their work cut out for them. They’ll have major competition for impact free agents as intriguing teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers all have in excess of $20 million to play with. Max Pacioretty is also on the last year of his deal and will be due a substantial raise next year.

Albatross contracts and a lack of solid prospects has the team in a tough spot. As an observer, I believe this summer should mark the beginning of a transition. The Canadiens would be wise to take this opportunity to replenish their minor ranks. Let’s take a look at five prospects Montreal should take with its first- and second-rounders to begin building the farm back up.

5. G Olivier Rodrigue – 2nd round (62nd overall – from Washington)

This year’s draft class doesn’t present a goaltending prospect with the same jam as a Marc-Andre Fleury or Carey Price. With the final pick in the second round, however, the Canadiens could do worse than Rodrigue. At just six-foot-one and 159 pounds, he’s undersized by NHL goalie standards, but makes up for his lack of size with a ton of skill.

Speed, agility, and a very active stick highlight his efficiencies and allow him to make up for his small frame. He’ll need a few years in the minors to bulk up and naturally cover more of the net, but the building blocks are there. Rodrigue already possesses a ton of international experience, including leading Canada to a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in 2017.

Carey Price owns the net in Montreal for the foreseeable future, but with Zachary Fucale floundering in the minors, the Canadiens need to add a solid goaltending prospect. With 4 more picks available before this one, Olivier Rodrigue represents a low-risk high-reward scenario. As one of the top ranked goalie prospects this year, it’s no guarantee that he falls to the end of the second round. His size should scare some teams off, and if he’s still on the board at No. 62, Montreal needs to pull the trigger.