Kent Hughes offseason plans, and prospect pool update

The start-date for «The Free Agent Frenzy» as TSN call it's, is pushed back from July, 1 to instead July, . The Habs may very-well come out of the draft with some huge pieces for the future, apart from just the number one overall pick. Picks #26 and #33 for Kent Hughes' team have already sparked debates throughout twitter.

The consensus looks to be Wright #1, and Slafkovsky at #2, with a plethora of top-10 pick variations to round out the best-of-the-best in the draft. The Canadiens are primed to grab a stud at the top, will Hughes grab the centre or the big winger? And what will the fallout of the blueprint look like after that pick, and at draft's end.

There are some significant UFA's on the market, and the Canadiens are in a retool. Young talent could be of interest, or even some depth at right defence, and perhaps an additional big-bodied left-winger. The Stanley Cup playoffs gave NHL gm's a glimpse of upcoming ufa's.

Here's a list of Kent Hughes work at the NHL Draft, and Free Agency. Along with a list of the top-15 propsects set to lead the charge in the Habs future, some closer than others.

Call it bias. Knowledge or preference, no matter how you look at it, every Habs fan has their own reasoning for the order of their top-15 prospects in the Montreal Canadiens prospect pool.

This is a list of the consensus top-15 prospects in the Habs organization. There are a plethora of positions represented, from a potential first-line power-forward, to four defenceman who have the chance to carve out a spot on the Canadiens blueline — either now, or in the near future — along with some other high potential/trajectory selections. Here are the ten players; who either haven't signed their elc's (entry-level contracts) or haven't cracked the NHL roster yet:

—Habs top-15 prospects in the pipeline—

The number one pick has a brief fact, because of the significance of the pick. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton's first draft; with a pair of seats at the head of the decision making table for the Canadiens at the NHL draft on July, 6-7 at the Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec. Montreal's pick was also their first time picking first overall at the draft since their selection of Doug Wickenheiser, instead of Quebec native Denis Savard at the 1980 NHL Draft; also in Montreal, however it was at the Montreal Forum.

#1. Juraj Slafkovsky - LW (Liiga-TPS Turku) - Unlike his selection at the very top of the 2022-23 NHL draft, Slovakian left-winger Juraj Slafkovsky sits atop the list with zero debate. The rugged power-forward became the highest drafted Slovakian player; a honor previously held by Marian Gaborik (drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL draft). Slafkovsky gives the Habs a potential top-line winger, with size, skill and a dogged work ethic along with a lazer-beam of a shot.

#2. Kaiden Guhle - LD (WHL-Edmonton Oil Kings)

#3. Justin Barron- RD (AHL- Laval Rocket)

#4. Jordan Harris - LD (AHL-Laval Rocket)

#5. Jesse Ylonen - RW (AHL- Laval Rocket)

#6. Joshua Roy - LW (QMJHL - Sherbrooke Phoenix)

#7. Cayden Primeau - G (AHL - Laval Rocket)

#8. Lane Hutson - LD (USNTDP-USA U-18 team)

#9. Sean Farrell - C/LW (USHL-Chicago Steel)

#10. Riley Kidney -C (QMJHL - Acadie Bathurst Titan)

#11. Logan Mailloux - RD (OHL - London Knights)

#12. Filip Mesar - RW (AHL- Laval Rocket)

#13. Jan Mysak - C (OHL - Hamilton Bulldogs)

#14. Jayden Struble-D (NCAA - NU Huskies)

#15. Owen Beck - C (OHL - Mississauga Steelheads)

Some teams in brackets for respective players; are subject to change following training camp.

An analyisis report on the top-15 Canadiens prospects is in the works. Quotes, stats and facts will be included.