One thing was clear in the playoffs this season: the Montreal Canadiens could benefit from adding size to their lineup. As talented as small players can be, when the going gets tough in the playoffs, there are times when brute force is required, and one of the prospects who could be available when it’s their time to pick could help in that department.

At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Lynden Lakovic has got size, and he knows how to use it at both ends of the ice. According to Marco D’Amico from RG.org, the Canadiens have kept tabs on him throughout the season, which does seem to indicate genuine interest.

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While Lakovic is first and foremost a winger, he can also play center, a non-negligible skill considering the Canadiens are overflowing with depth down the middle. In 47 games this season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, the power forward has scored 58 points. A lower-body injury prevented him from playing for a whole month, and it was costly for his team.

The supersized winger has great vision and a knack for setting up his teammates with excellent passes. He’s also able to provide a net-front presence when circumstances call for it, and he’s also got a perfect shot.

He’s also able to disrupt the opponent’s defensive system by applying pressure to recover the puck on the forecheck. There’s a lot of potential there, but Lakovic should not be considered a finished product; there’s still a lot of development to be done, but he does seem like an interesting and worthy project who could become a solid middle-six contributor.

The Central Scouting list ranks him 14th amongst North American skaters. TSN's Bob McKenzie also has him at number 14, whereas Craig Button places him at 25th. THN’s Tony Ferrari is high on him, putting him up to eight, while Ryan Kennedy puts him at number 13.

Lakovic wouldn’t be a flashy pick, but he would be a good long-term investment and a player that could be molded into what the Canadiens need him to become.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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