Montreal Canadiens May Have Found a Diamond in The Rough With Their 26th Overall Selection..

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Tyler
August 12, 2022 (10:25 PM)

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The Montreal Canadiens held two top-30 picks in the NHL Draft, and Kent Hughes went back to a Slovakian player with pick 26; selecting Filip Mesar.

Mesar played his previous season with HK Poprad of the Slovakian Extraliga; Mesar stated in a chat with Habs GM Kent Hughes his interest in bringing his talents to North America for the 2022-23 season.

«I don't want to go back to Poprad,» Filip Mesar stated. «I would like to come to North America or look at other leagues like SHL.»

Heading into the 2022 NHL Draft - Filip Mesar was touted as a top-20 ranked prospect on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of international skates, slated to have his name called early in front of the Centre Bell faithful. Mesar has played against men at the professional level in Slovakia, and while his numbers weren't brilliant, he showed flashes and was just 17-years-old (turning 18) this past season for Poprad. Ultimately Mesar ended up being selected with pick 26, embracing his childhood friend, and new Canadiens teammate Juraj Slafkovsky in the Canadiens locker-room on draft night.

«The fact that somehow we ended up with two childhood friends in the same first round is a bit of a divine providence and an accident, but this kid is focused,» said Nick Bobrov, co-director of scouting for the Montreal Canadiens, regarding the consecutive Slovakian player selections by the Habs in the first round at the NHL draft.

Mesar can skate - with solid speed, and explosive strides, shoot - using a heavy, accurate shot and a quick release - both NHL-ready, and his smaller frame has room to add muscle before playing in the NHL. Filip stands at 5'10» and weighs 174 lbs. Mesar put up an even eight goals and eight assists apiece for 16 points through 37 Slovak league games; internationally Mesar played seven games for the U-18 Slovakian team at the Ivan Hlinka memorial tournament, and three games for the Slovakian mens team at the 2021-22 Deutschland Cup tournament at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany - posting one assist.

«He's one of those guys that can skate, make plays and has a really good brain. He's relentless,» said Bobrov of Mesar's intangibles.

Mesar projects to be a staple in an NHL top-nine, with potential to have his stamp on all three lines at either centre or left-wing. Mesar has explosive skating, along with slick, soft hands allowing him to maneuver around defenders with ease when navigating the situation before firing a shot on net, or an accuate, deceptive pass to his linemates. Strong edges, and powerful strides allow Mesar to evade defenders, before exploding down the ice in transition.

I've always liked to draw comparisons as hockey provides enjoyment for me, and predicting prospects potential is a diligent task, but fun to compile statistics and facts to accurately draw a comparison. The right-handed Slovak native's small frame, speedy skatings and dynamic offensive skill; both in shooting and playmaking remind me of a Lukas Raymond and Brayden Point. If Mesar even ends up half the player, that the aforementioned two 5'10» players are; Hughes and Gorton will be gleaming with happiness.