With an upper-20s and early-30s core, the Montreal Canadiens are viewed largely as a veteran club. That said, there is a cluster of young players pushing hard for jobs on this team.
It’s worth noting the Habs began the year with three rookies on the roster in forwards Artturi Lehkonen (presently injured) and Daniel Carr, as well as 18-year-old Mikhail Sergachev on the blue line. While Sergachev was subsequently sent back to the OHL and Carr has logged some AHL time, there’s some precedent for up-and-comers getting a look with the team.
With that in mind, here’s a glimpse at how some next-generation Canadiens are faring this fall.
AHL
Charlie Lindgren, 22, G
Signed as a free agent: 03/30/16
Season to date: 6-1-0, 2.28, .932
In his AHL debut, Lindgren faced 51 shots and stopped all but one of them. In five of his seven starts, the St. Cloud State product has seen over 30 shots, prompting some to wonder if there’s an organization-wide mandate to be over reliant on the goalie.
Lindgren, who catches with his right hand, has blown by Zach Fucale on the depth chart and is now the top goalie prospect in the system. At 6-foot-1, he has the frame scouts like in a modern NHL stopper. Lindgren got a start late in Montreal’s lost season last spring and, after allowing a goal on the first shot of his NHL career, he bounced back to get a 4-2 win. It’s plausible he could be Carey Price’s backup by this time next year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xXv5fXywrk
Charles Hudon, 22, LW
Drafted: Fifth round, 122nd overall, 2012
Season to date: 12 GP | 8 G | 4 A | 12 P | -1
Now in his third full AHL season, Hudon needs to shine and is doing just that. His eight goals led the league at the conclusion of last weekend’s action.
The knock on Hudon has long been defensive play, so he must continue to demonstrate growth in his own end. Offensively, there’s no denying his talent. Have a look at the following play, where Hudon snipes glove side on Malcolm Subban of the Providence Bruins earlier this year.
Beyond Max Pacioretty, Montreal doesn’t have a natural left winger with much of a resume. If the club thinks Hudon can handle both sides of the puck, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him in the NHL sooner rather than later.
Nikita Scherbak, 20, LW/RW
Drafted: First round, 26th overall, 2014
Season to date: 12 GP | 6 G | 4 A | 10 P | 0
A bit of a wild card, Scherbak may represent the most upside of any Canadiens forward prospect. After a strong finish to his WHL career, the Russian had an uneven, injury-marred debut campaign in the AHL last year.
Here are some of the finer moments.
At 6-foot-2, Scherbak has enviable size, reach and skill. On the sunniest of days, it’s possible to think of him as Alex Galchenyuk light. Still, there’s a ways to go before he’s an everyday NHLer.
Michael McCarron, 21, C/RW
Drafted: First round, 25th overall, 2013
Season to date: 10 GP | 1 G | 6 A | 7 P | -3
For a year or so after Montreal drafted McCarron, it looked like a giant whiff. But the 6-foot-6 behemoth—dubbed a project from Day 1—is starting to justify the team’s belief in him. McCarron played 20 NHL games last year and, apparently, wasn’t discouraged by being sent down for a second AHL campaign at the end of pre-season this fall.
At this point, few question whether McCarron will play at the highest level. The issue will be exactly how much offence he can contribute. At the moment, the smart money is on him being more of a third-liner than a top-six guy.
OHL
Mikhail Sergachev, 18, D, Windsor Spitfires
Drafted: First round, ninth overall, 2016
Season to date: 2 GP | 0 G | 2 A | 2 P | +1
After a three-game cup of coffee in the NHL, Sergachev was rightfully returned to major junior. He will be an absolute beast during a year in which the Spits host the Memorial Cup and Montreal will hold the world junior final, which could very conceivably involve Sergachev and the Russians.
During a 2015-16 campaign in which everything went sideways, drafting Sergachev was a silver lining for the Habs. He’s a 6-foot-3 blueliner who excels in all facets of the game, including skating. It’s just a matter of time before he’s a regular NHLer. Two years from now, he could be anchoring the top pair with Shea Weber.
Will Bitten, 18, C, Hamilton Bulldogs
Drafted: Third round, 70th overall, 2016
Season to date: 14 GP | 4 G | 6 A | 10 P | +1
Considered a bit of a draft-day steal, Bitten has yet to really get it in gear during his first season with the Bulldogs. Last year, Bitten was a very productive player (30 goals in 67 games) with the star-crossed Flint Generals.
Despite the slow start, there’s still plenty of reason to like Bitten’s long-term potential. He’s got a nose for the net and a good shot. Check out this release on a penalty shot goal last season.
He won’t be in the show for some time, but keep an eye on this undersized sniper.
QMJHL
Simon Bourque, 19, D, Rimouski Oceanic
Drafted: sixth round, 177th overall, 2015
Season to date: 19 GP | 4 G | 16 A | 20 P | -3
In his final major junior season, Bourque has stepped up to become a point-per-game defenceman. Maybe a leap of that kind should be expected from a 19-year-old, but it’s still encouraging to see. Fourteen of Bourque’s 20 points have come on the power play, so increased 5-on-5 production would be a welcomed development.
Bourque got a three-game AHL sample at the end of last season and will no doubt start a full-time apprenticeship there next October.
WHL
Noah Juulsen, 19, D, Everett Silvertips
Drafted: first round, 26th overall, 2015
Season to date: 13 GP | 6 G | 6 A | 12 P | +5
Few Habs prospects were in more desperate need of some bounce-back signs at the start of this season than Juulsen. After posting 52 points in his draft year, the blueliner dipped to just 28 last season. That problematic trend had some concerned Juulsen might not have the chops to be an impact NHLer.
The early returns this season, however, show not just a return to form, but another gear entirely. Juulsen is a 6-foot-2, right-shot defenceman putting up nearly a point-per-game through 13 contests. If he can maintain that type of pace, hopes that he can be a top-four blueliner someday will again be stoked.
Until then, here he is getting re-aquatinted with fellow prospect and former Everett teammate Nikita Scherbak.
NCAA
Jake Evans, 20, C, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Drafted: Seventh round, 207th overall, 2014
Season to date: 8 GP | 2 G | 6 A | 8 P | 0
Evans took a nice step forward last year as a sophomore and his junior season is off to a solid start. Twenty-five of his 33 points in 2015-16 came in the form of assists, so it’s safe to say he’s more of a passer than shooter.
We’re still years away from finding out if he’s got the stuff to be an NHLer. But for a final-round pick, Evans has shown some nice growth.
