The Montreal Canadiens haven’t hesitated to take older players in the draft that show development in their second year of draft eligibility, and that’s exactly what they have in 81st overall pick Bryce Pickford.
Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta
Date of birth: April 2, 2006
Shoots: Right
Position: Defence
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 183 lbs.
Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Pickford, a right-handed defenceman, was buried a bit on a very good Seattle Thunderbirds team in his first year of NHL Draft eligibility but a move to Medicine Hat allowed him to showcase his game. Make no mistake about Pickford’s best asset: it’s his shot.
Pickford had 20 goals in 48 regular season games and added 13 goals in 18 playoff games, a truly remarkable offensive season. With older players, sometimes you are wary of an offensive breakout year as they are often bigger and stronger than other players, but Pickford’s shot translate very well to the next level. He benefitted from taking passes from projected 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna, but it’s not like the Canadiens don’t have players who can make elite passes across the ice.
He still makes smart plays, and activates smart in the offensive zone. He creates his own opportunities with give and go plays, and doesn’t shy away from physical play. He isn’t the biggest defender, but he’s a solid one able to stop plays and players at his own blue line. He can make a good first pass, but he isn’t going to be a great transition player. He can get it done.
Most scouting reports say he will need another tool to make the jump, but like so many other picks the team has made, his growth this past season does inspire some confidence that his game can continue to grow to become a contributor at the professional level.
You can see the things that Pickford does well, but also the things that make him a question mark, like so many drafted in this range. It makes sense to buy elite skillsets and hope that you can improve the peripheral traits to get the player to a point they can help your NHL roster.
Rankings:
Elite Prospects: #95
Craig Button: #68
Corey Pronman: #70
For the Canadiens, it doesn’t hurt that he’s a right-shot defender, something of a shallower depth area in the future portion of the organization.
