A journalist announces that Hughes has just pulled off the steal of the year

With the acquisition of Ivan Demidov a few weeks ago, the organization truly seems to have made a big splash.

In general, with three top 5 draft picks over the past three years, Habs fans can really hope to have a competitive team for the long term in the coming seasons, and Demidov will contribute greatly to that.

Here's another reason to be optimistic. According to an expert ranking, no fewer than six young Canadiens players are highlighted.

As reported by the site DansLesCoulisses, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic revealed his annual list of the NHL's top 100 prospects, and what a pleasant surprise to see Ivan Demidov, chosen fifth by the Canadiens in the last draft, ranked third among the top prospects behind Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov.

What an acquisition, and what a player!

Let's just say that with such a ranking, there's plenty for Habs fans to dream about, who have been waiting for ages for a star forward with elite potential.

But that's not all, because in this list of the top 100 prospects, we find five other Habs prospects, including a certain Lane Hutson at 21st place, who is even ranked ahead of Shane Wright (24th), for whom many fans cried scandal when Kent Hughes didn't pick him first overall in 2022!

Next, we find David Reinbacher at 38th, Michael Hage, the Canadiens' second first-round pick this year, at 41st, as well as Joshua Roy (68th) and Logan Mailloux (79th).

The Canadiens are one of the three teams (along with the Sharks and Blue Jackets) that have six prospects on the list:
• Ivan Demidov (3rd)
• Lane Hutson (26th)
• David Reinbacher (38th)
• Michael Hage (41st)
• Joshua Roy (68th)
• Logan Mailloux (79th)

Notably, Scott Wheeler also included the names of Jayden Struble and Owen Beck among those who "just missed the cut."

Let's just say the future is very promising within the organization, and it remains to be seen where these six prospects will stand when the Canadiens become a competitive team.

Credit: DansLesCoulisses
Liste des meilleurs espoirs de Scott Wheeler: six patineurs du CH dans le top-80