Critics label Canadiens draft as disappointing

The Montreal Canadiens' recent draft class has drawn mixed reviews from analysts, with some questioning the team's strategy and choices. According to Scott Wheeler from The Athletic, the Canadiens were labeled as one of the draft 'losers' due to their emphasis on selecting larger, gritty players, which he believes may have led them to draft players too high.

Wheeler described first-round pick Gleb Pugachyov as a potential third-line winger, while Cooper Cleaves and Tim Runtso were labeled as likely AHL players. Canadiens co-directors of scouting Nick Bobrov and Martin Lapointe defended their picks, highlighting Pugachyov's experience in the KHL and his readiness to transition to North America.

They expressed optimism about the potential of their selections, emphasizing the importance of adding size and depth to the roster. Fans will have the opportunity to assess this new crop of prospects at the upcoming development camp, starting June 30th, where players will participate in physical testing and on-ice sessions.

The mixed reactions to the draft choices suggest a critical eye on how these prospects will develop under the Canadiens' system moving forward, with many awaiting to see if the scouting team's vision pays off.