Habs General Manager Kent Hughes took to the stage almost a year ago today, with a sure grin. The consensus was that centre Shane Wright from the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs would be selected first overall. But, the draft faithful were in for a shock, Hughes had a spade up his sleeve. The Canadiens selected 17-year-old Olympic MVP and Slovakian manchild Juraj Slafkovsky.
Chatter began immediately, and many questioned if this was the right pick. Will he make the team out of camp? He’s a first-overall pick; he should make an immediate impact, right?