By now you are well aware that, barring any trades, the Montreal Canadiens are picking 26th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise Florida. You should also be aware of the fact that by the time the 26th pick rolls around the abundance of future NHL stars begins to wane. It’s Trevor Timmins and Co’s jobs to turn that unfavourable draft slot and turn it into reason for hope. Enter Jérémy Roy.
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
The key aspect that should catch your eye here is the fact that Roy was one point shy of his career high in points while playing eighteen less games. He went from .68 points per game to a solid .93. That kind of leap in production denotes the promise that you’re looking for in any prospect out there. The leap in production also saw a dramatic change in the way Roy put up points. The drop in goals and the rise in assists can be explained to a tee in the way he plays the game and the way his game has evolved with age. His kicker is his hockey awareness in all situations which enables him to get the puck to the right people at the right times which leads to scoring chances and goals.
Scouting
Elite Prospects
Future Considerations
Rankings
Central Scouting; North American Skaters: 26
Craig Button: 21
Future Considerations: 14
ISS Hockey: 29
Thoughts
Judging by the chart above your instincts would tell you that the Habs desperately need to fill the void that is their left handed defense at the prospect level. Roy is a right handed shot but he would instantly jump to the top the list.
Montreal is in desperate need of a booster shot to their defensive prospect scheme and Roy is the perfect player for that role at this stage in the draft. His prowess on both sides of the puck has been clearly outlined and that skill set has become the blue print for an effective NHLer at any age. On top of it all he’s 6’0 188lbs with room to grow and fill out so the size gripers will be put to rest for this one.
In two years in the QMJHL his accolades are plentiful. As a rookie he led all of his freshmen peers in goals assists and points earning him top defensive rookie honours and a spot on the all-rookie team. As a sophomore he led his team in defensive scoring despite the aforementioned 18 game absence. He has Ivan Hlinka gold, led defensive scoring at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and nabbed a Bronze medal at the 2015 Under-18 World Junior Championship.
It may be hard to believe that Roy will fall to the Habs but as the rankings dictate it isn’t totally out of the question. It looks like Roy has the tools needed to progress and become an effective (or better) NHLer, selecting him at twenty six would be a bounty on par with Nikita Scherbak in 2014. Plus he’s Quebecois. That always helps.
