Michael McCarron

McCarron's entering his fourth professional season, but doesn't look anywhere near being NHL-ready. His prospect status has slowly receded since a nice rookie season when the 6-foot-6, 231-pound center showed the proper mix of physicality and playmaking. When he's at his best, McCarron is using his body along the boards to win puck battles, doling out meaningful checks and making life difficult for defensemen and goalies in the argy-bargy near the net. Since his outlier rookie season, the native of Grosse Point, Michigan has slipped into a more senseless style of physicality where his offense has declined and his penalty minutes have climbed. Furthermore, the organization opted to modify his playing style, from an offensively capable forward to one that primarily concentrates on the defensive side of things. He seems lost at this point and the Canadiens appear to be losing patience in him. He'll likely start the season at AHL Laval, provided he clears waivers.

McCarron had a rough start to his first season of pro hockey and was left off the U.S. World Junior team. The 6-foot-5 power forward improved over the second half, finishing with 34 points in 66 games for London of the Ontario Hockey League. The Canadiens are saying all the right things about their 2013 first-round draft pick, noting it was possible McCarron could take a step back in his first exposure to the pro-style schedule. It turns out McCarron was in need of better conditioning and nutrition. He's shed some body fat and added muscle this summer and is looking to change the first impressions he left.

McCarron, 18, was Montreal's first-round pick in the 2013 draft. He's expected to become the Canadiens' next big power forward. He's a good character guy who plays heavy and has potential to develop offensively. He enjoys the high-traffic areas and has good hands near the net. He passed up a college offer (Western Michigan) to sign a three-year deal with the Canadiens and is expected to spend most of his time with London of the OHL.