Players who stood out at prospect tournament in Montreal

Over the course of my scouting career, Iâ€ve been fortunate to attend several NHL rookie tournaments in cities like Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Traverse City and Buffalo. As much as I enjoyed those events nothing comes close to what I experienced this past weekend in Montreal.

The Montreal Canadiens organization has always set the standard when it comes to pre-game festivities like jersey retirements, ceremonial puck drops, and the traditional “passing of the torch†before their home opener every year. From afar, casual fans of the game will think Iâ€m overreacting in describing what I witnessed at the rookie tournament the Canadiens hosted this year. But playing in front of a raucous, nearly sold out Bell Centre provided an experience the young prospects will never forget. Even the games the Habs didnâ€t play in were well attended and true to form, those in attendance appreciated the effort put forth by all the competing players.

With NHL training camps set to begin this week, here are some of the players who stood out for me at the prospects showdown that involved the Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Jets and Senators.

Jacob Fowler, G, Montreal Canadiens

I wrote about Fowler as a player to watch coming into these games last week and he has set the bar very high for himself entering main camp.

Fowler only allowed two goals in the 60 minutes, over two games, he played and showed off his athleticism and elite tracking ability fronting shooters and moving side to side with power and quickness. His rebound control was also spot on, limiting second chances and allowing his group to reset in the defensive zone. Heâ€s only entering his first full year at the pro level, but looks very close to NHL ready and very likely the goalie of the future in Montreal.

Ivan Demidov, F, Montreal Canadiens

Demidov is a Calder Trophy candidate who burst on to the scene last spring and appears to have added even more power and speed to his elite skill package over the course of the summer. Demidov controlled the play almost every shift and scored a highlight reel goal to tie the game late in the third period when he drove off the half wall and took the puck to the net before tucking it home. He ended the game Saturday with 1G-2A and had the Montreal faithful literally singing his name throughout. Itâ€s incredible to me that he was still available when the Canadiens stepped to the podium to make the fifth overall selection at the 2024 draft.

David Reinbacher, D, Montreal Canadiens

Reinbacher missed most of last season after suffering a knee injury at training camp. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound, right-shot defenceman has clearly added more strength to his frame and it showed with his open ice skating and overall power. He played in both games, quarterbacked one of the power play units, and rushed the puck when lanes opened up. His execution was mostly sound with the puck and he defended with purpose. He had a few miscues timing his gaps, but he has a runway in front of him to work out some of his kinks and challenge for a roster spot.

Cowan dressed for the game versus the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. He was deployed at even strength and on the power play and generally played with consistent compete and decent overall detail. He definitely looks physically prepared for Leafs main camp having added more power and strength to his frame. He had an assist and created chances for himself and his group by working off the perimeter and keeping his feet in motion.

Landon Sim, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

Cowanâ€s teammate from the London Knights is signed to an AHL deal and will suit up for the Toronto Marlies this year. He took full advantage of his opportunity this weekend with his “pest like†approach. Sim had two fights, was always involved in battles and scrums and was a pain to play against every time his number was called. Iâ€m not sure if heâ€s an NHL prospect, or a player who will produce much offence at the pro level, but he plays to an identity the Leafs organization has been searching for.

Ben Danford, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Danford was solid for the Leafs. He played to his strengths, making simple puck plays, finishing his checks and providing a few shot blocks. What stood out for me was the extra, small-area power Danford has added to his stride. His core strength has come a long way.

Domenic Divincentiis, G, Winnipeg Jets

Goaltenders usually take more time to develop than skaters, but itâ€s clear Divincentiis has been working very hard on his craft. He was outstanding for the Jets this weekend. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound prospect has never looked more confident in my opinion. He was big in the net and his coordination/quickness tracking plays and making saves when the puck moved from side to side in the zone was outstanding.

• 
• 32 Thoughts: The Podcast

  Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.

  Latest episode

Colby Barlow, F, Winnipeg Jets

There is no question Barlow knows how to score goals. He has a great release and plays a heavy style in traffic. My biggest concern is regarding his skating and if he will have enough quickness to play to his identity on offence (Barlow scored 148 goals at the junior level playing for Owen Sound and Oshawa in the OHL) but his sense for finding open space is an attribute that canâ€t be taught. Barlow had 1G-1A in the game versus Montreal.

Carter Yakemchuk, D, Ottawa Senators

Yakemchuk contributed 1G-2A versus Toronto on Saturday and was a presence on and off the puck the entire game. He rushed the puck, pushed back physically, and showed off his vision, patience and playmaking in the offensive zone. It was a great start for the 6-foot-3, 209-pound, right-shot defenceman. He will be challenged to increase his shift-to-shift detail in the defensive zone, but given his approach on the weekend he is clearly prepared for his second pro training camp.

Jackson Parsons, G, Ottawa Senators

Parsons has arrived in Ottawa after signing as a free agent this off-season and is coming off a highly decorated season last year with the Kitchener Rangers, where he was named the CHL’s and OHL’s goaltender of the year.

Parsons was fantastic for the Senators this weekend. Heâ€s a 6-foot-2, 202-pound, left catching prospect who has great athletic ability and very quick low net coverage. He kicked out several high danger shots versus Toronto. Parsons turns 21 this November. Heâ€s taken a bit longer to develop at the junior level and tracking towards being the potential starter for the Senators in time.

Source link