Canadiens Potential Targets: Rounds 3-7 | 2021 NHL Entry Draft Primer

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | MONTREAL, QC. — In part one of your primer for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, we looked at the Canadiens potential targets in the first two rounds. You can find it here: Canadiens Potential Targets: Rounds 1, 2 | 2021 NHL Entry Draft Primer

To review the players selected in the first round of the Entry Draft and to follow every pick by the Montreal Canadiens, please use our Draft Tracker: 2021 Entry Draft Tracker, Habs Picks | NHL DRAFT

In this piece we will examine potential Canadiens draft targets for rounds three through seven.

Third round pick to target

The Canadiens have two selections in the third round, the 76th and 87th picks overall of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In the third round they should be targeting right winger Josh Doan from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Josh Doan, F, Chicago Steel (USHL)

February 1, 2002 | Scottsdale, AZ, USA.

6-2, 176 lbs. | Shoots Right |
2020-’21: 53 GP, 31 G, 39 A, 70 PTS
CSB: No. 87 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. — | THN: No. 98 | HP: No. 73 | FC: No. 71

The son of former NHLer and Canadian Olympian Shane, Josh Doan enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, posting 31 goals, 39 assists for 70 points in only 53 games. The young Doan is a relentless puck pursuer at both ends of the ice. When he does possess the puck, his passing game takes over, making him a dangerous threat all over the offensive zone.

Even though he does have a hard shot, Josh is best known for his creative playmaking ability. The 6-foot-2 winger is committed to Arizona State University for the 2021-2022 season. It is a young program that has taken big strides in recent years. As an Arizona native, this is a perfect with for this developing power forward.

Fourth round picks to target

The Canadiens have three selections in the fourth round, the 113th, 126th and 127th picks overall of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In this round they should be targeting forward Ty Voit from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, defenseman Luke Mittelstadt from Eden Prairie, Minnesota and goaltender Tristan Lennox from Mississauga, Ontario.

Ty Voit, C/LW, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

June 10, 2003 | Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

5-10, 161 lbs. | Shoots Right |
2019-’20: 49 GP, 8 G, 20 A, 28 PTS
CSB: No. 107 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. — | THN: No. NR | HP: No. NR | FC: No. 43

Let’s start with an offensive specialist in Ty Voit. The 5-foot-10 inch dual position eligible forward is best known for his slick, creative and uniquely effective playmaking ability. Getting the puck though can be a bit of an adventure, as he is still developing his defensive game, but once Ty has it, get ready!

The Sarnia Sting product produced only eight goals and 20 points in his rookie campaign over 49 games. At the time, He had a limited role on an under-achieving squad. He is expected to be a big part of the offense going forward.

The Pittsburgh native will be perceived as a project, but one that just may be worth the gamble. His high hockey IQ and offensive potential could make him the late round steal of this draft, not to mention speed to burn, highlighted by impressive acceleration.

In a draft with 11 picks and few holes to fill, a risk like Ty Voit may just be in the cards for Trevor Timmins and Marc Bergevin.

Luke Mittelstadt, D, Lincoln Stars (USHL)

January 22, 2003 | Eden Prairie, MN, USA.

5-11, 174 lbs. | Shoots Left |
2020-’21: 12 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS
CSB: No. 98 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. — | THN: No. NR | HP: No. NR | FC: No. 231

Luke Mittelstadt, like Josh Doan, has some nice hockey roots as well. His oldest brother Casey plays for the Buffalo Sabres and is a former eighth overall pick in 2017. Luke’s  middle brother John is an undrafted commit to the University of Minnesota. Luke is the youngest of the Mittelstadt clan.

The 5-foot-11-inch rear guard most recently patrolled the blueline for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, as well as the Eden Prairie High School in the ultra competitive USHS-MN, widely known as the most high-end high school loop in the country.

Luke is an offensive defenseman who is best known for his transition game. He is elite at finding not only open space, but also the most effective passing option to break out of his own end. His defensive game, however, could still use some work.

Mittelstadt is a decent skater, but tends to shy away from physical contact. His ideal partner would shut down the opposition while Luke focuses on attacking. The Eden Prairie native has consistently posted point-per-game numbers at all levels of minor hockey, including 35 points in only 24 USHS-MS games.

Mittelstadt’s numbers did decline after taking the next step to the USHL, but that is a normal part of transitioning. Like his brother John, Luke is committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2021-’22 season. A full 4-year commitment could do wonders for what is currently a fairly raw offensive defenseman with elite upside.

Tristan Lennox, G, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

October 21, 2002 | Mississauga, ON, Canada.

6-4, 190 lbs. | Catches Left |
2019-’20: 33 GP, 3.63 GAA, .876 Sv%, 0 SO, 20-8-3

CSB: No. 3 (NA Goalies) | ISS: No. — | THN: No. NR | HP: No. NR | FC: No. 94

Goalie Tristan Lennox is best known for his calm and cool composure. He is rarely fooled by shooters and comes across as extremely confident. These are traits that Canadiens fans have become familiar with over the years with one Carey Price patrolling the crease.

The 6-foot-4 inch left catching tendy has put up only average numbers in his two seasons with the Saginaw Spirit. The Michigan based OHL team primarily known for its offensive power. They are often caught in high scoring affairs, which are rarely kind to goaltenders.

Tristan’s relaxed demeanor in net was the perfect compliment for that style of squad. Even though it did not reflect kindly on his personal statistics, he did manage to post 27 wins and 5 OT/SO losses in 48 games. Where the Mississauga native really shone was against the best of his peer group at the Under-18 World Championships, backstopping Canada to a silver medal with a stellar 0.95 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.

As his Saginaw Spirit retool in the coming 2021-2022 season, it will be very intriguing to see how Tristan performs in front of a young squad. He is a very safe pick in the fourth round who should develop into a consistent pro.

Fifth round pick to target

The Canadiens have one selection in the fifth round, the 142nd pick overall of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In this round they should be targeting left-winger Nick DeGrazia from Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Nick DeGrazia, C/LW, Rayside-Balfour Canadians (NOJHL)

December 3, 2002 | Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.

6-1, 181 lbs. | Shoots Left |
2020-’21: 10 GP, 7 G, 8 A, 15 PTS

CSB: No. 85 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. — | THN: No. NR | HP: No. NR | FC: No. NR

Nick DeGrazia is a bit of a mystery heading into the 2021 NHL Draft. The high-scoring winger posted over a 1.5 points-per-game for the Rayside-Balfour Canadiens of the NOJHL which is a competitive tier-2 Junior ‘A’ loop in Northern Ontario.

DeGrazia was a first round pick of the OHL Sudbury Wolves, but due to the pandemic he never got a full chance to make his mark, only suiting up in a reduced role in four games. The mystery of this prospect is based on level of competition. At the Telus Cup in 2018, as well as the WJAC in 2019, Nick posted a total of seven points in 11 games.

The raw tools are all in place with the Thunder Bay winger. He has impressive speed, effective two-way play, strong offensive instincts and can even be used on all special teams units. The real question is, what can he do when he finally gets a chance to play at the highest level of junior. Unfortunately, we will not have the answer to that until well after the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Sixth round pick to target

The Canadiens have one selection in the sixth round, the 191st pick overall of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In this round they should be targeting left-winger s Justin Ertel from Mississauga, ON.

Justin Ertel, LW, Summerside Western Capitals (MJAHL)

May 27, 2003 | Mississauga, ON, Canada.

6-2, 187 lbs. | Shoots Left |
2019-’20: 18 GP, 9 G, 19 A, 28 PTS

CSB: No. 150 (NA Skaters) | ISS: — | THN: NR | HP: NR | FC: No. 272

Justin Ertel has a very unique background. Instead of pursuing a traditional Canadian junior hockey path through the CHL, Justin elected to attend the prestigious St. Andrews College in the Toronto area.

In his rookie season, Ertel posted an astonishing 40 goals, 63 assists for 93 points in only 56 games. He later went on to captain the team, until the pandemic cancelled the 2020-2021 season.

Ertel then elected to play in the Maritime Junior hockey loop for the Summerside Western Capitals, posting reduced, but still impressive results vs. previous seasons. The power forward is a well-rounded two-way player who is known for his work ethic and great character. Justin has an under-utilized shot and above-average playmaking ability while being a force down low.

Justin is committed to Cornell University for the start of the 2021-22 season and is a very intriguing prospect based on his high point totals in minor hockey, along with the unique package of skills at the wing position.

Seventh round

The Canadiens have one selection in the seventh round, the 223rd pick overall of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

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Who are your later round favorites? Let us know in the comments below.

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