HabsWorld.net --
The Habs made a move early on in Day 2 of the 2011 draft, trading the 78th
pick (in the 3rd round) to Winnipeg for picks 97 and 108 (both 4th rounders).
On top of those selections, Montreal had 4 other picks in the later rounds.
In total, they added 4 more defencemen and 2 forwards to the organization. Here is a quick look at who the Canadiens selected with a little information
about each one:
Josiah Didier, D (4th round, 97th overall): One of the more raw
defencemen available in the draft. His skating is one of his strengths
while he plays with a physical edge. He has some offensive skills but is
most likely suited to be a checking defencemen at the professional level though
he played in all situations with Cedar Rapids. He is committed to the
University of Denver next season and will be a very long-term project for the
Canadiens.
2010-11: Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Season: 58 GP, 8 G, 13 A, 21 PTS, 81 PIMS, +5 rating
Playoffs: 8 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS, 7 PIMS
Olivier Archambault, LW (4th round, 108th overall): The former 1st overall
selection of the 2009 QMJHL draft, he is small but very fast. He is very
well rounded offensively but leaves a lot to be desired in his own end. He
also isn’t the strongest and can be pushed off the puck very easily.
He also is versatile as he plays both left wing and centre. Though he has spent his entire QMJHL career with Val-D’Or, he will suit up for
Drummondville next season after being traded earlier this month. In our
mock
draft, we had him as a finalist for Montreal’s pick at 78th overall.
2010-11: Val-D’Or (QMJHL)
Season: 65 GP, 20 G, 33 A, 53 PTS, 28 PIMS, -7 rating
Playoffs: 4 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PTS, 4 PIMS
Magnus Nygren, D (4th round, 113th overall): The oldest player selected
from the draft (he turned 21 earlier this month) served as a powerplay
specialist for Farjestad in the Swedish Elite League this past season.
Like Montreal’s other picks on the blueline, he is a very good skater. He
needs to improve defensively to have a shot at becoming more than a depth piece.
According to the Red Line Report, Nygren was the top overage player available in
this draft. Given his age, the Habs may look to get him in Hamilton as
soon as next season.
2010-11: Farjestad (SEL)
Season: 22 GP, 4 G, 11 A, 15 PTS, 4 PIMS, -2 rating
Playoffs: 14 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 PTS, 6 PIMS
Darren Dietz, D (5th round, 138th overall): The fourth blueliner selected
by the Habs in the draft plays with a physical edge to his game. One of
the knocks on his game is that he goes and looks for the big open ice hit with
little regard to maintaining his defensive position. He spent time this
season playing with 1st round selection Duncan Siemens (COL).
2010-11: Saskatoon (WHL)
Season: 68 GP, 8 G, 19 A, 27 PTS, 66 PIMS, +17 rating
Playoffs: 10 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS, 15 PIMS
Daniel Pribyl, C (6th round, 168th overall): A big, skilled Czech centre who
saw limited action in the Czech pro league this past season. His skating
and strength are concerns but those are outweighed by his impressive offensive
skill set. He is expected to remain with Sparta (though likely in the elite league) next season.
Q and A with
the Habs’ 6th rounder
2010-11: Sparta Praha (Czech U-20)
Season: 41 GP, 27 G, 31 A, 58 PTS, 22 PIMS
Playoffs: 4 GP, 4 G, 1 A, 5 PTS, 2 PIMS
Colin Sullivan, D (7th round, 198th overall): An outstanding skater
for a defenceman while his offensive game improved considerably throughout the
season. Defensively, he isn’t the greatest though his ability to skate
quick enough to make up for some of his mistakes mitigates that somewhat.
He is committed to Yale for 2012-13 which means it may be as many as 5 years
before the Habs get around to signing him.
2010-11: Avon Old Farms (USHS)
Season: 27 GP, 3 G, 12 A, 15 PTS, 14 PIMS
