Montreal Canadiens 2016 NHL Draft: Second Round Defensive Options
by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine
As the 2016 NHL Entry Draft rapidly approaches, we find ourselves striving to determine who the Habs should select with their first round pick (9th overall), but we must not overlook that the Habs also hold the 39th (Josh Gorges trade) and 45th pick in the second round, picks that could hypothetically turn out to be a top prospect.
The last time Montreal had three picks in the top 50 was 2013, they used those picks to select Michael McCarron (25th overall pick), Jacob De La Rose (34th overall pick) and Zachary Fucale (36th overall pick)
This article will focus solely on defencemen that could be available during the second round that could be available when the Habs pick 39th and 45th overall.
The second round is very capable of producing top end defensive players. Below are a few examples of defensive talent selected in round two.
Shea Weber: Selected 49th overall in 2003
Marc-Edouard Vlasic: Selected 35th overall in 2005
P.K Subban: Selected 43rd overall in 2007
Roman Josi: Selected 38th overall in 2008
The following players could be on the Habs radar if they’re looking to bolster their blue line prospects when they enter day two of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Libor Hájek, Defence, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Feb. 04, 1998 | Smrcek, Czech Republic
6-1, 198 lbs. | Shoots L | @libas42
2015-’16: 69 GP, 3 G, 23 A, 26 PTS (Saskatoon Blades)
CSB: No. 31 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. 36 | THN: No.33 | HP: No. 32| FC: No. 38
Selected 2nd overall by the Saskatoon Blades during the 2015 CHL Import Draft, (ahead of players such as Olli Juolevi, Alexander Nylander & Mikhail Sergachev), Hájek made an easy transition from playing in the Czech Republic to North America, tallying 26 points in 69 games while playing a “defence first” style of hockey from the blue line. These numbers were the best amongst Saskatoon’s defencemen, and sixth amongst WHL rookie defencemen scoring.
Hájek is a smooth skating, defensive defenceman who is utilized in all situations, logging big minutes for the Blades. His responsibilities include the penalty kill, the power play (even though he is not a huge point producer), and in most situations, being matched up against the top lines of the opposition. Even though his offensive game hasn’t exploded just yet, he does possess a bomb of a shot, and good passing ability, which if developed properly, could help transform this defensive defenceman into a strong two-way defenceman.
As mentioned above, Hájek is very much a defence first, stay at home defenceman, who makes it difficult to beat him during one on one battles, using his size effectively to force the opposition to the outside, where he often looks to use his body to regain the puck. He also works well at clearing players from the front of the net and regaining possession for his team by battling for loose pucks. Hájek has great vision and can anticipate plays very well, allowing him to get into better position to shut down the opposition. He did however finish the season a -19, but did suit up for the third worst team in the Western Hockey League.
Overall, Hájek had a solid rookie campaign, playing for a weak team, and will only continue to develop his game on North American ice next season. The Habs could certainly be interested in his services if available during the second round, adding a strong defensive defenceman to their prospect list.
Samuel Girard, Defence, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
May. 12, 1998 | Roberval, Quebec, Canada
5-9, 165 lbs. | Shoots L |
2015-’16: 67 GP, 10 G, 64 A, 74 PTS (Shawinigan Cataractes)
CSB: No. 38 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. 46 | THN: No.56 | HP: No. 70 | FC: No. 27
Selected third overall during the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft, Girard would showcase his offensive ability right away, scoring 5 goals and 38 assists during his rookie season, and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year (Raymond Lagacé Trophy).
Samuel Girard is an undersized offensive defenceman who will be hard to pass on after a tremendous offensive output during the 2015-2016 season. He would score 10 goals, while adding 64 assists during the regular season, and score 2 goals and 20 assists during the QMJHL playoffs. His regular season numbers secured him the title of top point producing defenceman in the entire Canadian Hockey League. Girard would also be named 2015-2016 QMJHL Defenseman of the Year (Emile Bouchard Trophy), CHL Sportsman of the Year, QMJHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (Frank J. Selke Trophy), QMJHL First All-Star Team, QMJHL Most Assists by Defenseman (64), and QMJHL Most Points by Defenseman (74). Girard would also win gold at the Hlinka Memorial Tournament, represent the QMJHL during the Canada/Russia Super Series, and appear for Team Cherry at the BMO Top Prospects Game.
Girard excels when it comes to the offensive aspect of the game, quarterbacking the Shawinigan power play very efficiently, scoring 7 of his 10 goals on the man advantage. He is also a sensational passer, 32 of his 64 assists were primary during the regular season. His skating ability and hockey sense are excellent in both directions which allow him to make plays offensively or defensively at top speed.
Defensively, Girard will obviously have to bulk up to compete at higher levels; his 165lb frame will not be unable to contain NHL sized forwards in front of net or battling for loose pucks in the defensive zone. He does however use his stick effectively, which allows him to regain possession and use his speed to create offensive opportunities.
Needless to say, he has quite an impressive resume going into the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, but will teams pass on him because of his lack of size, or will they see him as a dynamic offensive force on the blue line?
If he’s available when the Habs make their selections during the second round, his lack of size may be overlooked as the Habs could use an offensively talented, puck moving defenceman in their prospect pool.
Luke Green, Defence, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Jan. 12, 1998 | Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
6-1, 186 lbs. | Shoots R |
2015-’16: 61 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 PTS (Saint John Sea Dogs)
CSB: No. 40 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. 88 | THN: No.49 | HP: No. 71 | FC: No. 47
Luke Green was selected 1st overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs during the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft, and scored 6 goals while adding 30 assists for 36 points, ranking second among rookie defencemen. He would score 10 goals while adding 25 assists during his second season, 1 point shy of his rookie total, but would improve his plus minus rating from 0, to a plus 18. Green also was a member of Team Orr at the CHL Top Prospects game.
Green has developed into a strong two-way defenceman, who skates very well, has strong stickhandling, puck control and can lead the rush out of his zone. Playing behind Jacob Zboril (13th overall pick by the Bruins in 2015) & Thomas Chabot (18th overall pick by the Senators) Green wasn’t in the spotlight as much as his drafted defensive teammates, but was still able to produce on the scoresheet.
Once considered an offensive minded defenceman, Green was able to improve his defensive game immensely when the Sea Dogs acquired undrafted defenceman Matt Murphy from the Quebec Remparts. His game changed considerably after this trade, as his coach relied on him much more in all situations, playing against the top lines of the opposition night after night.
Green has shown a strong commitment to becoming a complete defenceman, and will continue to bulk up to compete with larger forwards at the next level. This will also improve his shot power. His hockey sense is strong and he can anticipate plays very well, allowing him to create turnovers in his end with an active stick.
In conclusion, you can see that I have presented three very different defensive options, a shutdown defenceman (Hájek), an offensive defenceman (Girard) and a two-way defenceman (Green), it’s now up to the Habs scouting staff to work their magic at the upcoming NHL Draft. Will one of these three young men become the newest defensive prospect in the Montreal Canadiens system?
Need to catch up on potential draftees? You will find the All Habs draft archive here or use the quick links below to check out our most recent articles on the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
| 2016 NHL Entry Draft on All Habs Hockey Magazine | |
| In case you missed them! Here are the most recent articles on the draft. | |
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