snowflake

https://theathletic.com/4665381/2023/07/18/nhl-top-prospects-rankings-connor-bedard/?amp=1

1. Connor Bedard 3. Adam Fantilli 18. Matthew Wood 20. David Reinbacher 22. Kevin Korchinski 41. Brayden Yager 42. Axel Sandin Pellikka HM. Lian Bischel HM. Tristan Luneau HM. William Wallinder

Meh I’m okay with it

Les Glorieux! Habs reap massive windfall in franchise altering draft day. There’s something very satisfying about seeing a long term investment pay off, even moreso when it pays off so handsomely. Montreal Canadiens General Manager snowflake had taken a lot of flak in the media for the state of the Habs, a depressing low point for one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports. Fans, media and whispers from around the league would on occasion refer to the roster as ‘sub NHL’, a statement that would be hard to argue with. But in Ali vs Foreman type fashion, Habs GM pulled off an epic rope-a-dope, scoring a big time knock out on draft day and launching the rebuild into warp speed. Two years of deft contract management, aggressive trading and a little bit (read: a LOT) of luck culminated in an afternoon for the ages. The afternoon started with a moment Habs fans have been dreaming of for years, hearing GM snowflake call Connor Bedards name first overall at the draft podium. The Regina Pats phenom has shown every earmarking of a true franchise player. In a deep draft class where as many as 5 players would be a lock for the top pick any other year, Bedard stood head and shoulders above the rest. Bedard instantly becomes the face of the franchise, and the Habs wasted no time, signing Bedard to a rookie max entry level contract before the draft had even concluded. This alone would be considered a successful draft by any standard, but the Habs were just warming up, immediately selecting University of Michigan star Adam Fantilli second overall. The coveted combination of size, speed and skill, Fantilli took home the Hobey Baker award this year, only the third freshman ever to do so, joining Paul Kariya and Jack Eichel. Bedard and Fantilli form the cornerstones of a future Cup contender. Attention then shifted to the blue line, where Habs GM selected smooth skating defenceman Axel Sandin Pellikka with the 7th overall pick, then followed that up with a trade, flipping next years first rounder along with pick 19 to jump up to the 8th overall selection to draft 6’2 defender David Reinbacher. The duo have different styles that could potentially compliment each other well. Adding these two talents to a prospect group that already included Lian Bischel and Kevin Korchinski, and the Habs have a lot of options for a seemingly bright future on the blue line. Still not finished, Montreal used the 11th selection to take 6’3 right winger Matthew Wood and then grabbed Brayden Yager at 23rd overall. Both players have very high ceilings, with offensive prowess in spades. In total the Habs added 4 elite level forward prospects and the consensus two best defencemen available in the draft, all in the first round. With one more selection, the Habs turned to the crease. Goaltender Trey Augustine was still available late in the 2nd round, and the Habs capitalized, landing the talented netminder 60th overall. Augustine posted one of the best goaltending seasons in NTDP history last year and has the kind of pedigree that could have him pegged as a future workhorse starter. And the cherry on top? Midway through the 1st round, after he’d finished adding 6 elite prospects to his club, GM snowflake was able to complete a contract for pending UFA defender Roman Josi, one of the top defencemen in the game. If you weren’t sure if the rebuild phase in Montreal was ending before, there should be no doubt now. While fans are deservedly enjoying the emotional wave of this weekend, Habs GM snowflake recognizes there’s a lot more work to be done. “We’ve added some great pieces, not just in the draft but with some trades and we were able to get some contracts done. But this is a tough league and we’re in a tough division. There’s still a hard road ahead, but we’re in as good a position as we can be.” After the last few seasons, Habs fans can be forgiven for looking ahead a little.

The Montreal Canadiens On April 17, 2023 James van Riemsdyk - Adam Henrique - Blake Wheeler Cal Clutterbuck - Peyton Krebs - Denis Gurianov Alex Texier - Colton Sissons - John Leonard Carl Grundstrom - Mason Appleton - Zach Sanford Karson Kuhlman - Egor Sokolov OEL - Marco Scandella Sean Durzi - Cam York Drew Helleson - Mark Borowiecki Libor Hajek Stuart Skinner Martin Jones The Montreal Canadiens on June 24, 2023 Jared McCann - Tomas Hertl - Mitch Marner Tomas Tatar - Connor Bedard - Blake Wheeler Morgan Frost - Colton Sissons - ??? Alex Texier - Mason Appleton - Fedor Svechkov Egor Sokolov Victor Hedman - Roman Josi Sean Durzi - Alec Martinez OEL - Cam York Libor Hajek - Marco Scandella Alexandar Georgiev Stuart Skinner

Jersey, contract, pen, bobble head, first born…. pretty much. Yeah.

Montreal selects Brayden Yager

Montreal selects Matthew Wood

Montreal selects David Reinbacher

Montreal selects Axel Sandin Pellikka

With the 1st overall pick the Montreal Canadiens are thrilled to select Connor Bedard! With the 2nd overall pick the Montreal Canadiens are proud to select Adam Fantilli!