“In the sixth round, we were looking for a Quebecer, but he was selected.”

The Canadian has drafted 10 players since yesterday.

Among the many, there are three players who attract attention (Ivan Demidov, Michael Hague and Atos Koivu) as well as seven others who will be talked about less than the others.

No player from Quebec or the QMJHL was called up by CH.

in everything, #GoHabsGo Made 10 picks in 2024 #NHLDraft:
D1 – Ivan Demidov, Michael Hajj
Section 3 – Athos Koivu, Logan Sawyer
A.D. 4 – Owen Brotz
RD 5 – Tyler Thorpe, Mikus Vikvanags
A.D. 6 – Ben Merrill
A.D. 7 – Makar Khanin, Rasmus Bergqvist

– Priyantha Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) June 29, 2024

Obviously the question that comes up every year is: Should Canadians do more to make room for local players? How important is drafting in the QMJHL?

We might think things would have been different if the Canadian had gotten his hands on Sacha Boisvert, who was loved by the club's leaders, but that clearly didn't happen.

But how close will it be later?

Stephane Leroux asked Martin Lapointe, who appeared before the media after the draft alongside Nick Bobrov, to talk about their selections, and he said it didn't work out this year based on club rosters.

He also added that he has nothing against the players here, but in the seventh round, for example, there was nothing left to satisfy him.

However, shortly after, he added that in the second part of the draft, the Canadian had his eyes on Quebec. However, he failed to catch him in time.

In the sixth round, we were looking for a Quebecer, but he was selected. – Martin Lapointe

Martin Lapointe and Nick Bobrov address the media at the end of the conference. #NHLDraft In Las Vegas

Martin Lapointe and Nick Bobrov address the media in Las Vegas at the 2024 finale #NHLDraft #GoHabsGo https://t.co/6ffn6O0jWR

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) June 29, 2024

This therefore means that the Canadian did not want to come forward to hunt him.

On that topic, I did a little digging and noticed that CH, in the 6th round, had the 5th pick (166th overall) of the round. The first four picks in the round are not local players.

Looking back, the first Quebecer we come across is Justin Poirier. Good.

Was the Canadian, who has drafted 6'0 players without exception this year, willing to make an exception in order to draft the young scorer? We might think that's what Martin Lapointe is trying to tell us.

Justin Poirier told the media that he understands why. #CH I didn't choose it

“They already have a lot of young players and maybe it's better that way even if I would have loved my childhood team.”

– Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) June 29, 2024

Remember, throughout the draft, Quebec fans wanted to see the Valleyfield native selected… and CH picked him. It was Carolina who eventually got his services.

Will CH ship?

extension

Let us recall that Lapointe told the media that he had at least recruited men who spoke French. Ivan Demidov says a few words, and Michael Haj speaks them well, Athos Koivu Logan Sawyer can speak it too…

It was also announced that goalkeeper Mikkos Vikvanaj will play for Blainville next year.

We will have the chance to see goalie Mikus Vecvanags, CH's fifth round pick, in the QMJHL next season as he joins CH.@ArmadaBLBas just pointed out by Martin Lapointe.

– Vincent Duquette (@VincentDuquette) June 29, 2024

However, we can mention that all this does not seem to make Michel Villeneuve happy, because he does not buy this bread. In his eyes, it is clearly not fair to see CH avoid Quebec.

The last truth is don't be afraid to say it.

Celine and René Charles are the only Quebecers to grace the Canadian stage this weekend. Predictions: The Quebecers' sons Yubi and Badaboom 2 could be kept by the Habs for years to come. Hard on our egos 🥲

– Michel Villeneuve (@lederniervrai) June 29, 2024

We will be sending out blue, white and red invitation cards to training camp as consolation prizes for the Q players, stand united young men: to hell with it, reject it all together. Are you tired of dying in caves?

– Michel Villeneuve (@lederniervrai) June 29, 2024