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Canadiens Draft Targets: Standouts At CHL Top Prospects Game

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3 months ago

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montreal canadiens draft targets

The Canadian Hockey League’s top prospects took the ice in Moncton, NB, for an exhibition match intended for scouts in preparation for the National Hockey League’s 2024 entry draft, giving the Montreal Canadiens an opportunity to do some advanced scouting.

With the Canadiens trending to pick in the top 10 (or better), it’s likely some of the high-profile players on display will be available for them to select.

While the result of the game was irrelevant and no iron-clad conclusion should ever be drawn from a one-game sample size, here are a few players that stood out.

Carter Yakemchuk
RD, 6’3, 194 lbs, Calgary Hitmen

A tall defenceman who likes to support the offence and join the rush. His long strides allow him to come back and cover his man whenever his bold ventures deep in the offensive zone backfire. He has good vision, better hands, and made a couple of forecheckers and defenders look foolish at times, with smooth dangles.

Based on the NHL Scouting Central midterm rankings, he was the highest-ranked skater in that contest.

The toolbox is tantalizing, and we saw flashes of a dominant 200-foot, high-flying defenceman.

Tij Iginla
LW, 6’0, 185 lbs, Kelowna Rockets

A dynamic winger, Jarome Iginla’s son showed great speed and execution, and created a few good scoring chances for himself, especially in the first half of the contest. Iginla currently has a very impressive scoreline in the WHL, to the tune of 31 goals and 24 assists in 40 games for the Kelowna Rockets.

His line with Berkly Catton and Terik Parascak was arguably the most menacing and he was no passenger.

Although usually known for his shooting ability, he set up teammates with high-danger chances and his ability to gain the offensive zone and create space to set up plays is what shone most.

Sam Dickinson
LD, 6’3, 195 lbs, London Knights

A big, strong, left-handed defenceman, Dickinson looked calm and in control, all game. He was a wall, preventing most zone entries on his flank and smothered his opponents, all night.

He showed great vision and passing ability with a few crisp dishes to wide-opened teammates. No wonder he is one of the top defencemen of his class, as he looks like a well-rounded prospect.

 

Honourable mentions: Liam Greentree, Beckett Sennecke, and Raoul Boilard showed great flashes as well.

Is one of these players on your wishlist for the Montreal Canadiens at the upcoming draft? Let us know who is the pick you’d like to see the Habs make in June, in the comments below.

 

Thanks to Matt Drake for the clips.

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