In a first round with a few surprises and swaps, the Montreal Canadiens made a little swap of their own. They acquired Phoenix’s 22nd and 113rd picks in exchange for their 27th and 57th selections. Consequently, the Habs managed to move up five spots in the draft and select defensemen Jarred Tinordi from the U.S National Team Development Program. Ironically enough, in the HabsWorld Mock Draft, which has proven wildly inaccurate in many respects, we pegged the aforementioned Tinordi in this exact position.
The son of former NHLer Mark Tinordi, the newest Montreal Canadiens is not only blessed with good bloodlines but also with outstanding size. At 6’6″ and 205 pounds, he is a physical player but also owns above-average mobility. Furthermore, he is reputed to have excellent leadership qualities, as demonstrated by his captaincy of the USA U-18 squad. While he will probably never be an offensive force, he projects to be a solid shut-down player.
With an aging defence in Montreal and a team lacking blue-chippers at the position, except for P.K. Subban, this could prove to be a saavy choice. Tinordi will play at Notre Dame next season.
Scouting reports
“He skates very well for a big guy. He has an excellent shot from the point. He’s a pretty smart player. The head’s there, the hands are there, the shot’s there, the skating ability is there. He’s got a real, real cannon for a shot.”
– Jack Barzee, NHL Central Scouting
“Tinordi is a chip off the old block. His father, Mark Tinordi, was once a physical, defensive defenseman in the NHL who punished the opposition and the younger Tinordi plays the exact same way. He not only mirrors his father’s game, but also his size as he stands a firm 6’6″ and weighs 205 pounds. The most physically ready of the USA NHL draft eligible prospects, Tinordi completes the package with a mean streak and strong mobility.”
McKeen’s 2010 NHL Draft Guide
“Massive stay-at-home rearguard with excellent character, bloodlines, and leadership. Dependable, shutdown defender always thinks defense first and his crease coverage is among the best of this class – colossal frame and nasty disposition form an impenetrable barrier between opponents and his goalie. Readily protects teammates and will drop the gloves. Reads and reacts to plays well at the defensive end. Effectively closes his man off to the wall and staples him there. Only has one gear, but shows functional mobility for a big man. Uses long stick/reach to break up lots of passes. Settles things down when team gets in trouble in its own end. Difficult to beat in 1-on-1 situations down low in puck battles or off the rush. Has no offensive upside but avoids costly errors and makes safe, simple plays.”
– Red Line Report 2010 Draft Guide
“When he plays a physical, nasty, pass-first game, he’s as good as there is. But when he starts to dangle his warts show.”
– A scout, quoted in The Hockey News Draft Preview 2010
Pre-draft Rankings
Central Scouting Final Ranking: 38th among North American Skaters
International Scouting Services: 25th Overall
The Hockey News: 22nd Overall
Red Line Report: 26th Overall
TSN: 23rd Overall
McKeen’s Hockey: 25th Overall