Brossard, QUEBEC—Of the 27 players attending Montreal Canadiens rookie camp this week, none will garner more attention than 2016 first-round selection Mikhail Sergachev. At six-foot-two and 220 pounds, he’s as skilled, as fluid and as poised as any seasoned NHL veteran.

Canadiens director of development Martin Lapointe offered nothing but effusive praise for the young Russian at Montreal’s July development camp.

“His level of confidence with the puck, at his age, is exceptional,” said Lapointe. “To only be 18 and be so composed with the puck is impressive.”

Lapointe was equally impressed with Sergachev’s competitiveness, noting he seemed “willing to die on the bike” during the Vo2 Max portion of his physical testing, and he was thrilled with his attitude.

If Lapointe was surprised by what he saw, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin and his scouting staff led by Trevor Timmins most likely were not.

Montreal’s brass had heard a lot about the prospect while he was playing for the Windsor Spitfires — the one who had come over from Russia and learned how to speak English in a matter of weeks. They closely monitored Sergachev’s skill over a banner season that saw him pace the Ontario Hockey League’s blue-liners in goals with 17 en route to becoming the second-youngest player and one of two rookies in league history to be named Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.

They knew what they were getting when they selected him ninth overall at the NHL Draft in June.

“I think he’s the best player,” Spitfires GM Warren Rychel told Sportsnet Thursday. “I can’t believe that he slipped to ninth. I think Montreal got the best value-pick in the draft, obviously besides Toronto with Auston Matthews.

“You know why I think he’s the best? He checks all the boxes,” Rychel continued. “His skating, his hockey sense, his hard shot … and his willingness to learn is so important for a young guy trying to become a pro.”

Watching Sergachev play, one gets the sense he knows how good he is. There’s a confidence in his game that could be mistaken for cockiness. His style is sleek and smooth, bordering on effortless.

“There were times last year when it appeared that he didn’t seem engaged, but it’s because it looked easy for him,” said Spitfires alum and former NHLer Todd Warriner. “Everybody sort of perceives how easily it comes to him as a lack of motivation; you want him to struggle a little bit. But I think he just gets it. He’s so smart out there.”

Warriner said he was as blown away by what he saw from Sergachev on the ice as he was by what he saw off of it.

“He has a great attitude,” said Warriner. “It’s amazing how he came over from the middle of Russia, learned English, and became this gregarious kid that just takes over the room.

“At first he was like any Russian trying to learn the language. He went from being funny to listen to, to adjusting so quickly that he learned how to play jokes on the guys and was holding court on the team’s bus.”

“He honestly speaks English better than I do,” quipped Rychel. “I sat with him in my backyard last August and he could barely speak the language.”

There’s ample reason to believe Sergachev can make the necessary adjustments to jump right into the NHL this season. The next three days, playing against rookie squads from the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs in London, Ont., are but the first steps he’ll take towards proving he belongs with the Canadiens.

There’s also reason to believe there’s room for Sergachev in Montreal’s lineup, specifically at the beginning of the season. Three of the team’s defencemen in Shea Weber, Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin are currently participating in the World Cup of Hockey, and their NHL loads can be lightened a bit if coach Michel Therrien is inclined to lean on the 18-year-old’s energy.

“He’s physically ready to play at least 15 minutes per game at that level,” said Warriner.

“There’s no question he can do it,” added Rychel.

Perhaps the most ideal scenario for Sergachev is to gain a bit of NHL experience before returning to complete the season in Windsor. The Canadiens can keep him for up to nine games without burning the first year of his entry-level contract.

“He’ll get to play 100 games here,” said Rychel. “Look at what he did in 60-odd games under our coach Rocky Thompson. I know what he can do in another full season under Rocky. He’ll also have a chance to captain his World Junior team and we’re hosting the Memorial Cup in Windsor.

“We have a real good team. There’s great value in becoming a champion before going to the NHL.”

No matter where he laces up his skates this season, Sergachev is going to be a main attraction for Canadiens fans.

“I wish him all the best if it’s in Montreal,” said Rychel. “But I’ll be at the airport to pick him up if and when he comes back to Windsor.”