The Montreal Canadiens, hungry for a young cornerstone to build their defense around, hold the 5th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. This Montreal Canadiens Mock Draft focuses on adding the best player available. With a focus on bolstering their blue line, all eyes are on who general manager Kent Hughes will select. Here’s a look at the potential scenarios for the Habs:
Montreal Canadiens Mock Draft: Anton Silayev
The Montreal Canadiens land their man, the highly touted Russian defenseman Anton Silayev. Standing at 5’8″ and weighing 179 lbs, Silayev possesses a rare combination of size, mobility, and a budding offensive skillset. He impressed scouts with his ability to break the puck out of his own zone with confidence and transition to offense with smooth skating. His long reach allows him to disrupt plays and effectively clog passing lanes.
While still raw offensively, Silayev brings a physical presence and a booming shot that could develop into a valuable weapon on the power play. He’s not a finished product, and his defensive awareness needs refinement, but that’s to be expected from a young player. The Canadiens see him as a potential top-pairing defender who can anchor their blue line for years to come.
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Montreal Canadiens Mock Draft, Other Options Considered:
The temptation of a high-end scorer like Demidov was certainly there for the Canadiens. Demidov, a dynamic left winger, has drawn comparisons to Kirill Kaprizov with his elite puck handling skills and offensive creativity. He’s a highlight reel waiting to happen, capable of weaving through defenders and creating scoring chances for himself and his linemates.
However, the Canadiens’ glaring need for a top-tier defenseman ultimately outweighed the allure of Demidov. While adding another top-six forward is enticing, Montreal already has a decent collection of young offensive prospects. They prioritized shoring up their blue line, a weakness that has plagued them for years.
Buium, a two-way defenseman from Denver University, was another name high on the Canadiens’ list. He’s a smart, reliable player with a strong work ethic. While not as physically imposing as Silayev, Buium possesses excellent skating ability and a knack for reading the play. He quarterbacks the power play and contributes offensively with a good shot and a knack for finding open teammates.
Ultimately, Silayev’s upside was too much to pass up. Buium is a safer pick, but Montreal wanted to take a swing for the fences and land a truly elite defenseman.
Lindstrom, a big-bodied center (6’3″, 216 lbs) with a scoring touch, was an intriguing option for the Canadiens. He’s a strong skater with a powerful shot and the ability to play a physical game down low. He projects as a reliable two-way center who can contribute offensively but also be responsible defensively.
However, Montreal already has several young centers in the pipeline, including Riley Kidney. With their focus squarely on defense, Lindstrom became the odd man out.
Montreal Canadiens Mock Draft Looking Ahead:
With Silayev in tow, the Canadiens have taken a significant step towards building a formidable blue line. He’ll likely spend some time developing in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL, but his potential is undeniable. The Canadiens can now focus on adding depth at forward and potentially another defenseman in the later rounds.
The 2024 NHL Draft promises to be a pivotal moment for the Montreal Canadiens. By selecting Anton Silayev, they’ve signaled their intention to build a team that can compete for years to come. It will be interesting to see how Silayev develops and whether he can become the cornerstone defenseman the Canadiens desperately need.
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written by
Connor Allen
Connor Allen has analyzed sports betting, fantasy football, and the NFL since 2010. He was published in Warren Sharp's annual book and used to work at NBC's Rotoworld. Most recently he launched the betting subscription at 4for4.com where he handicaps NFL Player Props. He currently resides in Chicago after graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University. Prior to being full time in the sports media industry, Connor owned a catering and food company.
