Montreal selects Juraj Slafkovsky with first pick in draft
The Montreal Canadiens shocked followers on the Bell Centre in choosing Juraj Slafkovsky with the primary decide within the NHL Entry Draft.
The 18-year-old Slovakian climbed on stage with an enormous grin after having his title known as in entrance of household, mates and followers Tuesday evening.
The winger and top-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting starred for his nation at each the Beijing Olympics and world championships.
* SEE FULL DRAFT BELOW.
Montreal was the primary staff to each host the draft and decide first because the Toronto Maple Leafs chosen Wendel Clark at No. 1 in 1985.
Habs Basic Supervisor Kent Hughes stated administration selected their decide Wednesday morning after assembly the 6’4″, 220-pound winger and being impressed along with his character and charisma.
“He is acquired a really dynamic character,” stated Hughes. “We requested him when was one of the best second in hockey and he stated, ‘after we’re successful by a aim or dropping by a aim.'”
The Canadiens drafted one other Slovakian with the twenty sixth decide of the primary spherical in Filip Mesar. The best-handed winger is 5’10” and 175 kilos.
HABS TRADE ROMANOV
The Canadiens acquired the Thirteenth-overall decide from the New York Islanders for defenceman Alexander Romanov and the 98th decide, then packaged the Thirteenth decide with the primary decide of the third spherical (66th general) and despatched them to Chicago for centre Kirby Dach.
Dach, the third-overall decide of the 2019 draft, had 9 objectives and 17 assists in 70 video games in 2021-22.
He confirmed promise over a small pattern measurement the earlier season with two objectives and eight assists in 18 video games.
The Blackhawks are within the strategy of dismantling their roster for a rebuild.
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Fast (32) and Chicago Blackhawks middle Kirby Dach (77) watch the puck through the third interval of an NHL hockey sport Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Chicago. The Kings gained 5-2. (AP Photograph/Paul Beaty)
The evening began with followers on the Bell Centre booing NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who hosted the draft for the primary time in-person because the COVID-19 pandemic started.
A particular tribute to Quebecers Mike Bossy and Man Lafleur adopted Bettman’s introduction.
The final time the Habs picked primary was in 1980 once they chosen Doug Wickenheiser.
FIRST-ROUND DRAFT ORDER:
- Montreal Canadiens – Juraj Slafkovsky
- New Jersey Devils – Simon Nemec
- Arizona Coyotes – Logan Cooley
- Seattle Kraken – Shane Wright
- Philadelphia Flyers – Cutter Gauthier
- Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago Blackhawks) – David Jiricek
- Chicago Blackhawks – Kevin Korchinski
- Detroit Pink Wings – Marco Kasper
- Buffalo Sabres – Matthew Savoie
- Anaheim Geese – Pavel Mintyukov
- Arizona Coyotes – Conor Geekie
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Denton Mateychuk
- Chicago Blackhawks – Frank Nazar
- Winnipeg Jets – Rutger Mcgroarty
- Vancouver Canucks – Jonathan Lekkerimaki
- Buffalo Sabres (from Vegas Golden Knights) – Noah Ostlund
- Nashville Predators – Joakim Kemell
- Dallas Stars – Lian Bichsel
- Minnesota Wild (from Los Angeles Kings) – Liam Ohgren
- Washington Capitals – Ivan Miroshnichenko
- Pittsburgh Penguins – Owen Pickering
- Anaheim Geese – Nathan Gaucher
- St. Louis Blues – Jimmy Snuggerud
- Minnesota Wild – Danila Yurov
- Chicago Blackhawks – Sam Rinzel
- Montreal Canadiens – Filip Mesar
- San Jose Sharks – Filip Bystedt
- Buffalo Sabres – Jiri Kulich
- Arizona Coyotes – Maveric Lamoureaux
- Winnipeg Jets – Brad Lambert
- Tampa Bay Lightning – Isaac Howard
- Edmonton Oilers – Reid Schaefer
QUEBECERS TO WATCH IN ROUND ONE
- Nathan Gaucher, centre, Chambly – Drafted by the Geese at 22
- Maveric Lamoureux, defence, Laval – Drafted by the Coyotes at 29
- Tristan Luneau, defence, Victoriaville
- Noah Warran, defence, Montreal
Spherical two begins Friday at 11 a.m.
The remaining Canadiens’ picks are as follows:
- Spherical 2, Choose No. 33
- Spherical 2, Choose No. 62
- Spherical 3, Choose No. 75
- Spherical 3, Choose No. 92
- Spherical 4, Choose No. 127
- Spherical 4, Choose No. 128
- Spherical 5, Choose No. 130
- Spherical 6, Choose No. 162
- Spherical 7, Choose No. 194
- Spherical 7, Choose No. 216
With recordsdata from The Canadian Press
