The Montreal Canadiens have a deep prospect pool and are loaded with high-end right-handed forwards. But aside from Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook, there aren’t any high-potential, top-six lefthanded players in the system. Fortunately for the Canadiens and Kent Hughes, the early top 10 rankings of the 2024 NHL Draft features some fantastic defence prospects, but the number one-ranked prospect, Macklin Celebrini leads a nice group of left-shot forwards.
The Canadiens could surprise and battle for a playoff spot, but it seems more likely that they will finish in the same position as last season or worse.