Montreal Canadiens’ Top 3 Options for the Fifth Pick of the 2024 NHL Draft – Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery takes place on Tuesday, and the Montreal Canadiens will draft fifth overall. The Habs are in dire need of scoring and, in that area, they have a chance to sign a player who can help them, as long as general manager Kent Hughes sticks to his plan and selects the best player available to fill the team’s needs.

Related: 2024 NHL Draft Guide

If the Canadiens want to fill a need and draft the best player available, they have to hope that at least three teams ahead of them draft defensemen. This year’s draft is loaded with defense, so it’s possible that three could be drafted in the top four, but even if only two are selected, there is plenty of forward talent for Montreal to choose from.

For the sake of this article, we’re going to assume two defensemen are drafted, and the top two will be Macklin Celebrini and Ivan Demidov. If Demidov falls to five, he should be the pick, but he probably won’t be.

1. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Cayden Lindstrom is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound center with speed, skill and a high hockey IQ. He’s good in transition and projects to be a top-six hitter who isn’t afraid to get into dirty spots. He has the ability to change the game. He thrived with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), scoring 42 points in his rookie year in 2022-23, but exploded this season with 46 points in 32 games, including 27 goals. The combination of size and skill set set Lindstrom apart from other forwards in the draft, which is why most top scouts have him drafted in the top five.

The only problem with drafting Lindstrom is that the Canadiens already have a top-six power forward in Juraj Slafkovsky. This season, he has shown that he can handle high minutes and help develop his teammates; he scored 50 points and 20 goals while helping Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki have career years.

If Hughes thinks that having two players like Slafkovsky in the top six is ​​the best decision, Lindstrom could arguably go along with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook on the second line. Dach is another big, talented forward who, when healthy, can provide a similar style of play to Slafkovsky and Lindstrom. Hughes must decide if Lindstrom’s skill and size is needed, knowing he still has two of the same players in the top six. If history tells us anything, size and skill is a winning combination, especially in the playoffs.

2. Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Tij Iginla is the son of Hall of Famer Jerome Iginla, who scored 1300 points in 1554 NHL games, won the Lester B. Pearson NHLPA Player of the Year Award, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the league in goals, the Mark Messier Leadership Trophy, and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in scoring. Jerome Iginla has had a long and successful NHL career.

He also had a solid youth career with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, which is almost identical to his son. Both had mediocre rookie seasons: Dad scored 28 points in 48 games, while son Tij scored 18 in 48. However, their second season exploded; Jerome scored 71 points in 72 games, including 33 goals, while Tij scored 84 points in 64 games with 48 goals with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. If young Tij’s success continues to mirror that of his father, he could have a successful NHL career.

Related: 2024 NHL Draft Rankings – Horn’s Top 100 for April

Tij Iginla was a late riser in the draft but quickly moved into the top 10 of many scouting guides. His postseason success could help him move up, as he has 15 points in 11 WHL playoff games, including nine goals. He recently helped Team Canada win a gold medal at the U18 World Championship, scoring six goals and 12 points in the seven-game tournament.

He is 6 feet, 180 pounds, and reliable in all three positions; He has good shooting and strong playmaking skills. His game sense and hockey IQ set him apart from other players in the program. If the Canadiens feel that Lindstrom gives them too much of the same thing, Iginla is different and that’s what they should look for in a top six player.

3. Cole Eiserman, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)

Cole Eiserman is probably the best shooter in the frame; and he is one of the youngest due to his late August birthday, which makes his achievement even more impressive. In 2022-23, he scored 72 points in 42 games for the US U17 National Team with 43 goals; he was called up to play 20 games with the U18 team and dominated as a 16-year-old, scoring 26 goals and 32 points in 20 games.

He scored 28 goals in 32 games for the United States National Team Development Program (USHL), then scored 12 goals and 20 points in seven games at the World Hockey U17 Championship (WHC-17). He followed that up with nine goals and 11 points in seven games at the World Junior Championship U18 (WJC-U18). This season is no different, as Eiserman recently passed Caufield as the USNTDP’s all-time goalscoring leader with 92 goals in 88 total games.

However, Eiserman is a polarizing player; many scouts feel that he is a one-trick pony who can only score goals. He has defensive issues and can be caught missing a check or out of position. He also needs someone on his side who can drive the game and help him by opening up opportunities for him to score goals.

The Canadiens already have a similar player in Caufield, except Caufield has improved his playmaking and defensive skills under the tutelage of head coach Martin St-Louis. If St-Louis can do the same for Eiserman, then the Habs could have two of the NHL’s top scorers for years to come, which will greatly improve their power play and overall scoring. Eiserman has committed to play for Boston University in the National Colligate Athletic Association (NCAA) next season. If Hughes figures Eiserman is Caufield’s teammate, he might pass, but if he’s patient and thinks St-Louis can help fix Eiserman’s mistakes, he shouldn’t hesitate to draft him.

Montreal has other options, such as Berkley Catton, Konsta Helenius, and Beckett Sennecke, who are starting to rise in the draft ranks. They can also pick one of their existing defenders and make a big trade for one of their young, highly skilled defenders. They also have the option to try to trade and draft Ivan Demidov. Whatever they do, Hughes will do what he thinks is best for the team moving forward and, drafting 5th, they are in a good place to do so.