The second day of the draft was a quiet one for the Habs as they had just four selections, the earliest of which came at the bad of the 3rd round. Montreal used their picks to shore up their forward depth while adding an extra blueliner to the fold.
87th overall: C Lukas Vejdemo, Djurgarden (SWE Jr.), 6’2, 194 lbs
In Vejdemo, the Habs add some size to their forward ranks but also add a slightly older prospect as this is his second time through the draft. He has two more years left on his contract with Djurgarden so don’t expect him in North America right away.
Scouting Reports
Future Considerations: Vejdemo has grown a lot over the last one to two years, from being average-sized at best to now a strong and hardworking two-way pivot. Both wrist shot and slapshot seem quite heavy, but he does not have the positional instincts of a natural goal scorer. Has NHL upside as a potential top nine forward, or at worst case, a bottom line two-way threat.
Hockey Prospect: He has a few things going for him along with his size. He is no stranger to the net, works hard, doesn’t quit on the play and doesn’t mind going into the corners to dig the puck to create opportunities. His strong two-way all around game makes him a candidate to develop into a 3rd liner that can bring some secondary scoring.
Rankings:
HP Blackbook: 173
Future Considerations: 185
Central Scouting: 36 (International Skaters)
Stats:
131st overall: C/LW Matthew Bradley, Medicine Hat (WHL), 5’11, 185 lbs
The Habs turned back to the Western League with their second pick of the day, adding another all-around type of player to the fold.
Scouting Reports
Future Considerations: Bradley isn’t the beefy pivot teams crave, but he is a very versatile player. Bradley skates well and plays a very strong 200-foot game. He is a bit of a scrappy player who plays an up tempo style, creating havoc on the forecheck and pushing the pace when carrying the puck. He has fairly basic, but well-rounded puck skills. He has a good shot and shows a sniper’s mentality when he has a look at the net. We think that he kind of gets lost in the shuffle and doesn’t get as much credit for how good he actually is.
FC Scout Cody Nickolet: I think at his peak Bradley projects as a top 9 NHL player who can play in any situation and could even translate to the wing full-time if necessary. I feel that he is smart enough to round out his game if his scoring doesn’t fully translate as a pro, making him a good potential fit as a bottom 6 guy… Won the Tigers Top Rookie Award this season… His game has some similarities to a player like Jakob Silfverberg style-wise.
Hockey Prospect: Bradley excels most in terms of footspeed, faceoff skill and hockey IQ and saw his ice-time increase concurrently with his rise in draft stock. Over the course of the last season he transitioned from a depth role to a top-six role. His promotion came as a result of his
consistent play, as he finds a way to create a good amount of offense, a lot of energy down the middle and a ton of turnovers in all three zones on a game-to-game basis..
Rankings:
HP Blackbook: 149
McKeens: Honourable Mention (just outside top-120)
Future Considerations: 140
Central Scouting: 126 (North American Skaters)
Stats:
177th overall: D Simon Bourque, Rimouski (QMJHL), 6’0, 184 lbs
The Habs went back to building their blueline with their third pick of the day, selecting an offensive minded QMJHL defender.
Scouting Reports
Draft Buzz: Already an assistant captain, he plays with an almost too collected demeanor that speaks to his leadership position. A solid skater with above average hands, he can be an effective passer with precision and velocity when he’s paying attention. He really was a guy forwards
feasted on throughout the year. A one dimensional CHL defenseman who lacks top end in his supposed one dimension, he may not have enough superior emphasis on his game to make it.
Future Considerations: A solid, mature-minded, two-way blueliner who plays a solid game at both ends of the ice. His slap shot is relatively weak and will need some work. He is strong defensively, playing aggressively and physical, but will need to continue to add strength to be more effective in that role. This kid’s game is on a steep trajectory and only getting better.
Hockey Prospect: Bourque is a player who plays with a lot of heart and works extremely hard on the ice. He has a very good compete level even if he lacks ideal size for a defenseman. Defensively he’s reliable, with above-average mobility and an ability to keep up with the best forwards in the league. He’s consistent from game to game, rarely having a bad one, and always bounces back after a bad shift or game.
Rankings:
HP Blackbook: 95
McKeens: 118
Future Considerations: 75
Draft Buzz Hockey: 198
ISS: 190
Central Scouting: 76 (North American Skaters)
Stats:
207th overall: LW Jeremiah Addison, Ottawa (OHL), 5’11, 182 lbs
The Habs have good depth on the left side but that didn’t stop them from taking Jeremiah Addison. He hasn’t been a big scorer in his career but had a very strong postseason that surely has the Habs hopeful that he can find another gear.
Scouting Reports
Draft Buzz: A powerful skater, he beelines the forecheck and uses smart angles to collapse the defense he chases. Back in his own zone, he is a reliable headman option as he isn’t afraid of contact and can move the play with absorption and pro stick tendencies. Offensively, he is a complimentary crash and bang winger who has better instincts, hands, and shot, than those usually found in physical wingers. Addison plays with a ton of heart, pays attention to detail, and seems to have a burgeoning offensive game – all reasons to consider him a sleeper in the draft.
Elite Prospects: Addison is an all around effective forward who generates offense, plays physical and gets his nose dirty. He has a good nose for the net and is very consistent.
Future Considerations: Addison is a hard-working character guy who creates pressure on the forecheck and finishes his checks. He possesses explosive speed, is balanced on his feet and plays the power game despite his modest size. He is a player who can provide depth at the next level and can develop into a strong power forward if he works hard towards that goal.
Hockey Prospect: Jeremiah finishes his checks effectively and is a tough player who quickly picks up his man on the backcheck. He played in all game situations for the 67’s and is a very capable penalty killer. Addison won’t be a high pick but could be a pick later on as a forward who would make a solid penalty killer, but who also may be a late bloomer in regards to talent and puck skills.
Rankings:
HP Blackbook: 208
McKeens: 101
Future Considerations: 145
Draft Buzz Hockey: 88
ISS: 164
Central Scouting: 129 (North American Skaters)
Stats: