It’s that time of the year when all outlet release their mock draft and The Athletic is no exception. According to Corey Pronman’s draft, the Montreal Canadiens could draft Cole Reschny and Cameron Reid with the 16th and 17th overall picks. We’ve already looked at the former in a previous article, so let’s have a look at the latter here.
A 6-foot, 193-pound left-shot defenseman, Cameron Reid, has the skills to succeed in the NHL, but perhaps not as an offensive defenseman. With the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL this season, he recorded 54 points in 67 games, up from 23 points in 49 games the previous year. His 54-point total is the second-highest production amongst draft-eligible CHL defenseman this season.
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According to a scout speaking to THN, his size may prevent him from being an effective offensive defenseman in the big leagues, but he has all the tools necessary to become a good defensive defenseman, with a high skating level and a very active stick.
While the Canadiens seem to be well-positioned when it comes to offensive defensemen with the likes of Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux, it wouldn’t hurt to find a stay-at-home defenseman who could skate in a top-four role to counterbalance.
Another scout described him to THN as a very good defensive player in the vein of Brock Faber, with the Minnesota Wild, just not quite as good, adding that there isn’t enough offense there to be on the first power play.
While the Canadiens’ prospect cupboard may be overflowing with left-shot defenseman, if a player like Reid ends up being the best available when they get to pick, they are to make the pick. Drafting for need is a trap that has burned this team in the past. You draft the best available player, and if you don’t need him, you trade him in a deal for what you do need. Easier said than done, but that should be the plan in an ideal world.
Furthermore, players drafted this year may not be ready for quite some time to make the jump, and you need to factor that in. Building a perennial contender requires thinking not only about the present, but also about what the future will bring at all levels of the organization.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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