Montreal Canadiens send first-round pick to Juniors to continue development

The Montreal Canadiens have decided that one of their most recent first-round draft picks would be better off continuing his development in the Junior leagues. Montreal has loaned Filip Mesar, the 26th overall pick in 2022, to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.

Mesar, 18, played one game with the Laval Rocket of the AHL after being invited to the Canadiens rookie training camp. He also suited up for three preseason games with the Habs during training camp. The right winger spent the last two seasons playing in the Slovak Extraliga.

Mesar was the Habs' second pick of the first round in the most recent draft. Montreal took Juraj Slafkovský with the first overall selection. He remains in Montreal at the moment, although that may change at any time.

According to Elite Prospects, Mesar is an excellent skater and transition forward who could use some work on his puck-handling skills. However, the base for a solid NHL career is there. Mesar just needs some developing before making the jump to the NHL.

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