Mathieu Carle

Carle, drafted 53rd overall in 2006, spent his first year as a professional in Hamilton of the AHL. The Quebecer registered 25 points in 65 games. While he's an above-average skater and gives a good breakout pass he needs to improve on his defensive zone coverage and needs to use his body more in engaging enemy forwards. Carle is at least a year away from making it but his future looks good and he'll just turn 21 at the end of September. Carle or Yannick Weber would likely be first in line to get called up this season from Hamilton of the AHL if injuries hit the Habs' defense corps.

Carle, a promising defenseman, is expected to spend 2007-08 in Hamilton of the AHL. Carle is someone who projects as a top-4 NHL defenseman in 2-3 years.

Like so many young defensemen in the QMJHL, Carle has loads of offensive upside. His vision on the ice is superb and has a great first pass out of the zone. Here's the but -- Carle cheats in his own zone and needs to seriously upgrade there to be an NHL defender. Still, he's young and there's plenty of time for him to pull if off.