Montreal Canadiens: Taking a Stab at the Future

This is my take on the top current Hab prospects. The criteria I use is that they must still be classified as NHL rookies in the upcoming season, which eliminates the likes of Max Pacioretty, Matt D'Agostini and Kyle Chipchura.

1. Yannick Weber - This stocky Swiss rearguard has been producitive offensively and sound defensively at every level he has played at in his 20 years. He came to the OHL having already played in the Swiss senior league and represented his country at the WJC. He has had two solid seasons at that level and a superlative rookie year in the AHL. He was called up very late in the season and acquitted himself well in the Habs brief playoff run. Short at 5-foot-11, but a very solid 205 pounds, Yannick was at the top of the charts in the Combine strength tests prior to the 2008 Entry Draft. He is a right-handed shooter has a rocket from the point which will earn him millions of dollars in the future; a strong candidate to stick on a Habs blueline that is currently overloaded with left-handed shots.

2. Ben Maxwell - The smooth, graceful center was another player who had a brilliant rookie year in Hamilton this past season. Having just turned 21, Ben has average size at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, but is a superb skater who easily won the speed tests at the prospect's match in his draft year. He has good hockey sense and is already a sound two way player. His brief early season audition in Montreal was not very productive, but it didn't seem to affect him at all when he returned to the Bulldogs. He will never be a big offensive threat at the NHL level, but is extremely useful for his versatility and tireless skating stride.

3. Mathieu Carle - Similar to Yannick Weber as a stocky right side defender with good puck skills, Mathieu has had some tough luck in his first two pro seasons with serious injuries that delayed his start each year. He was on the cusp of making the team out of training camp in 2008, but he sustained a significant concussion that sidelined him for the first month of the season. He had a solid, if not spectacular year in Hamilton, with much of the power play time he might have expected going to the hard-shooting Weber. He has slightly better size than his Swill teammate at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds and may be a smoother skater. He will benefit from the left side overload on the Montreal defense.

4. P.K. Subban - Did I mention something about stocky right-handed defense prospects with good offensive skills? The much ballyhooed Subban is another in the same mold and probably has even better raw tools than Weber or Carle. He had a "monster" season in the OHL, racking up impressive point totals, playing an improved defensive game, starring for Team Canada at the WJC and helping Belleville to another long playoff run. Like his mates, P.K. is in the 6-foot, 210 pound range at the moment and blessed with great natural strength. He is probably a year or two away from the NHL as he refines his defensive game.

5. Greg Stewart - Another Hamilton Bulldog who had an audition with the parent team late last season, the 6-foot-2, 210 pound left winger is more of a role player. A relentless physical winger who skates well and has a decent shot, Stewart will never advance beyond a third or fourth line energy/enforcer role at the NHL level. Still, there is definitely room for that on the current Habs roster, which is largely populated with smaller skill players. Stewart will bounce between the AHL and the NHL for the forseeable future.