
In 2021, for example, one name that currently stands out as having been quite a steal is Wyatt Johnston, drafted by the Dallas Stars at #23ᵉ.
What’s more, Johnston is already a very important player in the Stars’ success, as he’s proving right now in the playoffs.
Another player who flew a little more under the radar at the time of the 2021 draft was a certain Matthew Knies, who had been drafted 57ᵉ overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Today, Knies is already a major contributor to the Leafs’ success, especially in the playoffs, as he demonstrated this year.
Well, as Marc-Antoine Godin revealed on Friday’s episode of Tellement Hockey, available on Radio-Canada, Knies could very well have been drafted in the first round, given that the Montreal Canadiens had him in their sights.
In fact, according to Godin, the Habs really would have hesitated between Logan Mailloux and Matthew Knies for their 31ᵉ pick in 2021.
Had Mailloux been less available, the Tricolore’s choice would have been Knies.
It’s not for nothing that Cayden Lindstrom and Tij Iginla are being talked about as logical options for the Habs in this year’s draft.
In short, Knies could very well have ended up with the Montreal Canadiens rather than the Toronto Maple Leafs, had it not been for Logan Mailloux’s availability.
Today, it’s still hard to say which of the two players will be better, given that Mailloux has only played one NHL game, while Knies has played a full season.
Both youngsters will be ones to watch over the next few years, but for now, with Mailloux developing so well, we can’t say the Habs have made a mistake.
In a gust
– A sentence that remains complex to understand and analyze.
I think I get what Keefe was trying to say here – too often the players fall into the trap and seem to mindfuck themselves – but this quote will surely need some elaborating on cleanup day. pic.twitter.com/WOsOEVsJFZ
– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 5, 2024
– Not to be missed today.
Another #Game7 awaits. 🫡 #StanleyCup
: @GoldenKnights vs. @DallasStars TONIGHT at 7:30p ET on @NHL_On_TNT (TBS, truTV) @SportsonMax, @Sportsnet and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/yjPRpVWIRX
– NHL (@NHL) May 5, 2024
– Read more.
The Maple Leafs ran it back – again.
It backfired – again.
What now? https://t.co/5bPxV97NxW
– Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 5, 2024
– A perfect model so far.
Another classic series between the Maple Leafs and Bruins. Jeremy Swayman was outstanding.
The model improves to 7-0 by calling Bruins in 7. pic.twitter.com/WuXXzlvWrr– Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) May 5, 2024
– Listen now.
LFR17 – Round 1, Game 7 – Eulogy – Maple Leafs 1, Bruins 2 (OT) pic.twitter.com/Aywm3yHJkO
– Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) May 5, 2024