BROSSARD, Que., — It’s easy to forget that it typically takes four or five years to properly develop an NHL prospect when more and more 18- and 19-year-olds are graduating to hockey’s top league than ever before. Fans expect that any player drafted in the first round should be able to jump right in within his first two years, but the reality is that only a few players are ready right off the hop for everything that comes with that.

Skill will only take you so far. Work ethic — for anyone, not just athletes — takes time to develop. Maturity does, too.

Just ask Montreal Canadiens first-rounders Michael McCarron and Nikita Scherbak, who have both taken different paths to arrive at this critical juncture, and both will tell you how hard it can be.

Dealing with lofty expectations is a challenge on its own, and it’s one that both players have admittedly had a hard time overcoming. But here they are now, ready to take that next big step.

The time is nigh for McCarron, who was drafted by the Canadiens 25th overall in 2013, and for Scherbak, who was picked 26th in 2014, to prove it. The good thing is they’ve gone through many ups and downs and gained a better understanding of what’s expected.

Of equal importance is that they now understand what they have to do to in order to be successful.

"In the past I used to try to use skill rather than bull rush my way to the net," said McCarron on Friday. "They’re not counting on me to score 30 goals this season; they’re counting on me to be a physical presence and bring pucks to the net and create space for other guys. That’s what I haven’t done yet and I need to prove to myself, and prove to them, that I can do that. With the summer I had I feel ready to go and more ready than I have been in the past, and my body composition is a lot better. I’m finally starting to grow some muscle on those legs and I think the baby fat’s going away now."

The Canadiens knew it would take this long when they chose the Michigan native five years ago.

"He’s a long-term project," said Canadiens assistant general manager Trevor Timmins from the draft floor in 2013.

Now it’s time to see if he’s complete.

For Scherbak, who’s a higher-end offensive prospect, opportunity could help him break through in less time than it has taken McCarron. Top goal scorers Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk were traded from the Canadiens during the off-season and there’s room for players to prove they can supplant their offence.

Granted, Scherbak is the only one competing for a spot on the Canadiens’ top three lines that doesn’t have to pass through waivers to go down to the minors. That could put a hitch in his plans, but he has talent to push his way into a role and he believes he’ll be given a true opportunity to prove it.

"I think I just [need to] show it right away, just use every opportunity I have," said Scherbak on Friday. "I [need to] put 100 per cent in everything I do, compete and have a good pace. You know, be quick. Just work hard. I think that’s probably the main goal for me.

"I have opportunity when it’s open ice and I rush, but I need to get to greasy areas around the net wanting that puck, winning some battles and being strong on my stick. As long as I can compete and give 100 per cent of a good attitude and work hard I should be fine."

It took years for Scherbak to arrive at those conclusions, but better late than never.

The 22-year-old Moscow native says the experience he picked up last season, playing 26 games with the Canadiens, has opened up his eyes.

"I had a few games and I felt what it is to be around big guys and to be around smarter guys," Scherbak said. "I tried to work on some stuff in the summer to get stronger and get better and now I’m here excited and can’t wait to get things going."

The 6-foot-2, 192-pound right winger took power-skating lessons over the summer and put in a lot of work to strengthen his lower body. He believes those things should pay immediate dividends.

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Canadiens coach Claude Julien said on Friday that they have to in order for Scherbak to seize the opportunity that’s in front of him.

"I know that when he plays with a certain pace, when he’s skating really well, he’s so big and he makes things happen," said Julien. "At the same time, with his size, if he can be hard on the puck and protect it and do a good job… He’s got skill, he can shoot the puck [and] he’s got good vision but, like almost every player, the feet is what dictates whether he’ll have success. When you’re moving, everything else seems to follow — the hands, the decision making and all of that stuff. He’s a big guy that has big feet to start with so he has to work even harder to get going. But we know once he gets going he can skate."

The same can be said for McCarron, who’s battling for a job on Montreal’s fourth line after recently signing a one-year, $874,125 two-way contract.

"I need to be a power forward," he said. "Just be a presence out there. It’s not just about fighting; it’s about being strong on the puck and winning your battles and being a pest to play against like [diminutive Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher]. Nobody wants to play against that guy, so imagine a 6-foot-6 guy doing that but being meaner and tougher."