Matthew Schaefer, the player who would secure a Stanley Cup within 6 years (according to Simon Boisvert)

We are starting to hear about the next draft (even if it is several months away) because the Canadian is not having a good season.

For the moment, we know that James Hagens is seen as the best hope of his vintage, but there are other names that are interesting too.

From the lot? Matthew Schaefer, who plays in the OHL for the Erie Otters.

Schaefer is a 6’2, 183-pound left-handed defenseman who stands out for his skating.

We’re talking about a “two-way” defender… But one who is amply capable of producing offensively.

He has 10 points (three goals) in eight games this season in the OHL, even though he is 17 years old. This is a great production for a defender of his age in junior.

Simon Boisvert chatted about him in the recent episode of the Processus podcast (with Mathias Brunet) and to hear him, it is Schaefer who should be targeted by the Canadian instead of James Hagens.

Because according to the Snake, Schaefer could take the CH to the next level… And even more:

I say that the player to get for Montreal and that guarantees a Stanley Cup within the next 6 years is Matthew Schaefer. – Simon Boisvert

In the eyes of Simon Boisvert, Schaefer is good at this point:

The Canadiens already have a lot of left-handed defensemen in their ranks, but they don’t necessarily have a left-handed defenseman who has the potential to become a complete #1 on the blue line.

Schaefer has that potential.

Lane Hutson is excellent defensively, but he has shortcomings at the defensive level… And Kaiden Guhle is injured too often for this position to be guaranteed to him in the future.

The idea of selecting Matthew Schaefer can gain ground, therefore.

Besides Schaefer and Hagens, there are also two guys who are gaining popularity lately.

I’m talking about Porter Martone and Michael Misa here.

The two 17-year-old players are burning up the OHL:

I really like what Porter Martone brings to the ice.

He’s big (6’3 – 208 pounds) and he’s not afraid to use his body to create space on the ice.

Oh, and the main player is also capable of scoring magnificent goals.

He has good hands, he has a good shot… And that explains why he has scored 16 goals in as many matches since the start of his season:

Misa is a little less strong than Martone (6’1 – 185 pounds), but the talent is coming out of both ears.

We’re talking about a guy who received exceptional status to play in the OHL at age 15… And that year, he collected no less than 56 points in just 45 games.

But Misa, who is recognized as a passer, has especially highlighted his qualities as a maverick since his season began.

He has 22 goals in his first 18 games of the campaign and is the top scorer in the entire CHL:

If the Canadian has the luxury of being able to select in the top-5 for the fourth year in a row, Kent Hughes and his assistants will be able to get their hands on an impact player.

That said, will CH lean towards an attacker, or rather towards a defender?

It’s boring, but the answer to that question… We’ll have it in just several months.

Because we agree on one thing: things have plenty of time to change between now and then.