Looking ahead to Dallas

MONTREAL - Now that we know that the Canadiens own the third-overall pick at the upcoming NHL Draft in Dallas, here's a look at some of the top players team brass has to choose from, according to NHL Central Scouting.

One of these youngsters might end up joining the Canadiens' fold on June 22 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
North American Skaters
Andrei Svechnikov - RW - Barrie (OHL)
The top-ranked prospect among North American skaters, 18-year-old Svechnikov recently claimed the Emms Family Award as the OHL's Rookie of the Year after putting up 40 goals and 72 points in just 44 regular-season games for the Barrie Colts. He scored nine of his goals on the power play, along with posting a plus-26 differential. Come playoff time, Svechnikov added five goals and 11 points in eight games. He also represented Russia at the World Juniors this past winter in Buffalo.

Brady Tkachuk - LW - Boston University (Hockey East)
The son of veteran NHLer Keith Tkachuk and the younger brother of Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk put up eight goals and 31 points in 40 games during his freshman season for Boston University this year. The 18-year-old St. Louis, MO native was a standout at the World Juniors this past winter, scoring three goals and collecting nine points in seven games, en route to helping Team USA win bronze in Buffalo.

Filip Zadina - RW - Halifax (QMJHL)
Filip Zadina enjoyed a remarkable rookie season in the QMJHL ranks, scoring a team-leading 44 goals and registering 82 points in 57 regular-season games for the Halifax Mooseheads. The 18-year-old right-winger, who hails from Pardubice in the Czech Republic, then added five goals and 12 points in nine postseason outings. He also scored seven goals in seven games at the 2018 World Juniors.

Evan Bouchard - D - London (OHL)
Evan Bouchard made his third OHL campaign with the London Knights one to remember by upping his production from 44 points (11g - 33a) in 2016-17 to a team-leading 87 points (25g - 62a) this past season. And, the 18-year-old Oakville, ON native is a defenseman. The Knights' captain was nominated for the Max Kaminsky Trophy, which is presented to the OHL's Defenseman of the Year. He was also the Knights' representative for the Red Tilson Trophy, which is presented to the OHL's Most Outstanding Player of the Year.

Noah Dobson - D - Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
Eighteen-year-old Noah Dobson registered 17 goals and 69 points in 67 regular-season games for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan during the 2017-18 campaign. That represented a 43-point uptick in production for the 18-year-old Summerside, PEI native, who wrapped up his second year patrolling the Titan blue line.

International Skaters
Rasmus Dahlin - D - Frolunda (Sweden)
A generational talent, according to scouts worldwide, 18-year-old Rasmus Dahlin should be the top pick in the Lone Star State. The Swedish defenseman scored seven goals and collected 20 points in 41 regular-season games with Frolunda this year. He was named the top rearguard at the 2018 World Juniors, chipping in with six assists in seven games to help the Swedes claim silver in Buffalo. He also represented his country at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang in February.

Adam Boqvist - D - Brynas Jr. (Sweden)
Seventeen-year-old Adam Boqvist was a standout on the back end with Brynas IF in Sweden's J20 SuperElit, putting up 14 goals and 24 points in 25 games. He also played 15 games with the big club in the Swedish Hockey League.

Vitali Kravtsov - RW - Chelyabinsk (Russia)
Eighteen-year-old Vitali Kravtsov's first full KHL campaign with Chelyabinsk saw him chip in with four goals and seven points in 35 regular-season games, before registering six goals and 11 points in 16 playoff games and setting new league postseason marks in the process.

Martin Kaut - RW - Pardubice (Czech Republic)
Martin Kaut registered nine goals and 16 points in 38 regular-season games for HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech ExtraLiga, before adding three more goals and five points in seven playoff outings. The 18-year-old right-winger represented his country at the World Juniors in Buffalo, collecting two goals and seven points in as many games.

Adam Ginning - D - Linkoping (Sweden)
In addition to playing 17 regular-season games for his hometown Linkoping in Sweden's J20 SuperElit this past season, and collecting one goal and six points along the way, Adam Ginning also suited up for 28 games with Linkoping's senior side in the Swedish Hockey League. He then played seven playoff games with the big club.