The Montreal Canadiens get a very deep look in the NHL prospect pool overview series, and deservedly so.
Tony Ferrari digs into the Canadiens’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.
Initial Thought
The Canadiens not only took a big step forward this past year but even exceeded high expectations by making the playoffs. This team’s core is built with young talent acquired either via the draft or trades, but nearly all of it was developed within Montreal’s system.
Captain Nick Suzuki was a trade acquisition when he was merely a prospect, but he became the first Canadiens player since Alex Kovalev to reach the 80-point plateau. Cole Caufield is a drafted prospect who nearly reached 40 goals and hit the 70-point mark for the first time this past season. Juraj Slafkovsky, the first overall pick in 2022, is emerging as an effective power forward who can dominate in puck battles. He’s showing more of his offensive potential with each passing month. Lane Hutson is coming off a Calder Trophy-winning season where he led rookies in scoring and even garnered a bit of Norris Trophy buzz.
The Canadiens have a strong young NHL squad and a prospect pool full of talent at various levels. They’re on the rise, and there might not be anything the rest of the NHL can do about it.
The top prospect in the pipeline – arguably the NHL – is Ivan Demidov, the Russian super prospect who gave us all a glimpse of what he could do when he came over to the NHL from the KHL around the end of the season. He helped the Habs clinch a playoff spot and provided them a dynamic element their lineup was sorely missing.
Demidov is a creator unlike anyone the Canadiens have had in decades. He doesn’t merely take on defenders; he attacks them and exploits their weaknesses. He blends speed and skill with an offensive intuition that only the most special players have. Opposing coaches need to pay attention to this player in pre-game prep, even when he’s a rookie. The creative right winger should be a fixture in the top six and on the top power-play unit when training camp opens.
Although they aren’t as dynamic as Demidov, center prospects Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen have had fans excited for a couple of years now. They both profile as middle-six centers who bring quality defensive value, intelligent hockey in their own zone and a bit of a physical element as well. Beck is a bit more of an offensively gifted player from a skill perspective. He has a bit more flash to his game, pulling out some slick hands or deft touch as a passer.
With Kapanen, there is a bit more direct-line attacking going on. He plays a simple, effective game that relies on going to the middle of the ice and taking advantage of the bounces around the net. Beck and Kapanen played in a handful of NHL games this past season, flashing potential as third-line centers already in their young careers, but they ultimately needed a bit more time to refine their offensive games. Beck had a very good AHL season, while Kapanen was stellar in the Liiga back in Finland. We could see both take a step and play meaningful minutes in the NHL this season.
Michael Hage put up more than a point per game at the NCAA level as a freshman. He more than lived up to the hype of being a first-round pick for the Canadiens last year.
Hage’s skilled transition game and rush offense adapted to the NCAA quite well. He was consistently one of the University of Michigan’s more dangerous forwards. Hage uses head fakes, quick cuts on his edges and skilled puckhandling to evade defenders and generate chances. He must become a bit more of a dangerous attacker when not on the rush by setting up in the zone and working a cycle, but that was an area he took a big step in this past year. Another season or two at Michigan, and Hage could be a lethal addition to the Habs right as they enter a true contention window.
It’s been a winding road for Filip Mesar to this point. The 2022 first-round pick finally got a full season in the AHL, something he’s wanted since being drafted, and he struggled offensively. With just 18 points in 42 games, Mesar is at risk of being passed by others in the system. He must bounce back this year, which he is fully capable of doing.
Mesar plays with vigor and a feistiness that has allowed him to stay competitive in tough areas despite being undersized. His puckhandling has always been a strength, and he needs to get back to carrying the puck and being the on-puck attacker. If he can bounce back, the Habs might have a very solid depth scorer on their hands.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Florian Xhekaj, the brother of fan favorite defender Arber Xhekaj. He was tied for second in goal-scoring on the Laval Rocket as a rookie, with 24 goals. While that’s certainly impressive, it comes with a caveat. Most of Xhekaj’s goals came from deflections or jamming pucks in around the net. This is certainly a valuable skill, but his game became less effective when he wasn’t screening goalies and trying to tip pucks. He has a long way to go before he’s a legitimate NHL candidate.
Although some Habs fans weren’t fans of the pick, David Reinbacher was Montreal’s fifth overall selection at the 2023 NHL draft, and his development has been up and down since then. Much of it wasn’t his fault. Reinbacher has struggled to stay on the ice because of poor deployment in the Swiss League and injuries when he came over to the AHL. Reinbacher is a defensive blueliner with size and length that he isn’t afraid to use. His game has never been dynamic or fun, but he thwarts chances and gets pucks to safety regularly.
One of the more intriguing blueliners in the system is Adam Engstrom. The Swede put up 27 points in 66 AHL games as a rookie thanks to his willingness to get involved in transition as a passer and puck carrier. Engstrom finds a way to make quick, crisp passes on the breakout, and he’s become a solid facilitator from the offensive blueline. His defensive game still needs some work, but he’s taken massive strides since being drafted in 2022. Engstrom is a sneaky good prospect who doesn't get much attention.
Although his scoring took a step back in the KHL this past season, Bogdan Konyushkov remains a fantastic boom-or-bust prospect. His potential outcomes range from being a top-four puck-moving blueliner to a solid KHL contributor who never makes the move to the NHL. He’s a mobile, skilled passer, and he’s leveraged those tools into becoming a solid transition blueliner. He even has a few offensive tools that could make him effective. He has one more year in the KHL, where he will hopefully bounce back. He turns 23 this December, so his runway isn’t as long as that of typical prospects, having been drafted at 20.
The future of the Canadiens' crease is bright as well.
Jakub Dobes played 16 NHL games this past season and looked outstanding in many of those starts. The 6-foot-4 Czech netminder showed plenty of athleticism to go with a solid technical base. Dobes appears to have secured the backup job behind Sam Montembeault in the short term, but the plan may ultimately be to have Dobes form a tandem with top prospect Jacob Fowler down the road.
Fowler has been one of the best netminders in college hockey over the last two seasons, winning the goalie of the year award in 2024-25. Fowler’s success comes from his fluidity and speed in the crease, his ability to work through his positioning, integrating with the posts and exploding off them when needed. Fowler signed his entry-level contract and looked excellent in his first steps into the AHL. While he’s likely to spend this upcoming season in the AHL and adjust to pro hockey, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him get a few NHL games.
U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season
Ivan Demidov (RW), Juraj Slafkovsky (RW), Lane Hutson (D), Oliver Kapanen (C/W), Zack Bolduc (LW), David Reinbacher (D), Owen Beck (C)
2025 NHL Draft Class
Round 2, 34th overall - Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Ufa Jr. (Rus.)
Round 3, 69th overall - Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna (WHL)
Round 3, 81st overall - Bryce Pickford, D, Medicine Hat (WHL)
Round 3, 82nd overall - Arseni Radkov, G, Tyumen Jr. (Rus.)
Round 4, 113th overall - L.J. Mooney, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Round 5, 145th overall - Alexis Cournoyer, G, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
Round 6, 177th overall - Carlos Handel, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
Round 6, 189th overall - Andrew MacNiel, D, Kitchener (OHL)
Round 7, 209th overall - Maxon Vig, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
The Montreal Canadiens had two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL draft, 16th and 17th overall. They used those to acquire defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders to help bolster their roster now. Having a loaded prospect pool was a major factor in that decision to add a 25-year-old defender who plays a modern, two-way game. Dobson is a high-end offensive producer, and his defensive game has improved. While draft picks bring hope for the future, acquiring a known asset who fits in their window is well worth the price paid.
With no first-rounder, the Habs still found ways to go out and get value at the draft.
One way to do that was to swing on high-end skills, the way they did with Alexander Zharovsky. The young Russian is a bit raw, but his pure skill and creativity come naturally and can’t be taught. Zharovsky can be the silkiest puckhandler, absolutely giving defenders fits. Offensively, he has the craftiness as a playmaker that allows him to create chances for teammates, and when he gets some space, the puck pops off his stick. Zharovsky is probably a longer-term bet, but he is the kind of high-upside swing that teams need to take to supplement the roster when the top prospects reach their primes.
Hayden Paupanekis, a WHL center, plays a safer game to help offset the risk of taking Zharovsky. Paupanekis brings some really nice physicality and defensive acumen, but he has the tools to be a more gifted offensive player. He moves well, has a good shot and has flashed some really nice touch on his passing. We saw the 6-foot-5 center play a bottom-six role for the Spokane Chiefs and a top-six role for the Kelowna Rockets after being traded, demonstrating the ability to succeed up and down the lineup. He needs to find some offensive consistency and decide what he’s going to be, but Paupanekis is an intriguing pick.
Bryce Pickford, an overage defender, broke out in a big way this past season. He’s always had a big shot and a desire to get involved offensively, and he was finally able to do that this season, scoring 20 goals. He shows some nice defensive habits, pushing play to the outside and trying to clear the puck out of trouble with simple and effective breakout passes. Outside of his shot, there is a lot of work to do in refining his game. Pickford is a fun, interesting swing in the third round.
With the very next pick, the Canadiens selected Arseni Radkov, a Belarusian netminder who played well at the Russian junior level. He is heading to the QMJHL this year before taking off to the University of Massachusetts the following season. Radkov has the size and mobility you want to see in net, but refining some of his technical aspects will be the next step in his development.
L.J. Mooney was one of the most interesting picks of the middle rounds. He has the high-end skating and skill that could make him a true difference-maker. Despite his diminutive frame, Mooney is driven to get to the middle and attack the high-danger areas. A knee injury took him out of the lineup early in the season, and even upon returning, it took him a while to get back to speed. Once he did, though, he was arguably the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s best player. This is a massive swing on upside, but it’s the kind of swing that could result in the Canadiens getting an effective player in the fourth round.
The Canadiens took a second goalie in the 2025 NHL draft, Alexis Cournoyer from the Cape Breton Eagles. The 19-year-old split the season between the Maritime Junior Hockey League and the QMJHL, so his major junior hockey experience is somewhat limited. He’s a project, but he has the size that NHL teams love, and he’s fluid moving around his crease. Cournoyer is among the more raw goalies drafted, but his upside remains intriguing.
Sixth-round pick Carlos Handel excelled at times in the QMJHL because of the space and time players find in this league. The German defender had enough room to develop his passing and puckhandling, showcasing a bit more of his offensive touch. He’s been a fixture for Germany on the international stage, even captaining the U-18 squad this spring. Handel’s stock was once much higher than this, so the Habs may have found a diamond in the rough.
Andrew MacNiel’s game is built around being a defensive presence who can use his size to shut down play. He’s not particularly refined, and he doesn’t have much puck skill, but the Canadiens opted for a big defender who could bring some jam to the team if a lot works out.
The Canadiens' final pick of the draft was Maxon Vig, a defender from Cedar Rapids in the United States League. He’s never been much of a flashy offensive blueliner, but he’s always managed to find his way to playing important minutes. Going from high school to the NAHL to the USHL, Vig has taken the long road. He’s headed to Bemidji State University for next season, where he will look to further refine his defensive game, rely more on his size and hopefully build on his passing and offensive tools.
Strengths
Simply put, the Canadiens have so many young players already making a major impact on their roster, and that hasn’t left their prospect pool barren. In fact, they are deep throughout the pipeline.
Hutson will be a stalwart on the back end, and with Noah Dobson in the fold, teams will have to choose which offensive defender to attempt to shut down. That might just make them both more dangerous.
Demidov will be the favorite for the Calder Trophy coming into the season, bringing a dynamic skill level that hasn’t been seen in a Habs jersey in decades. Caufield is a legitimate threat to hit 40 goals and eclipse 80 points this upcoming season. Slafkovsky is set to break out, bringing all of the elements of his game as a playmaking power forward to the forefront heading into his age-21 season.
Every player mentioned above, along with the likes of captain Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Kaiden Guhle, is 25 or under as of July 22. The best players on this team are the young players, and the fact that they have a loaded pipeline coming along as well is the true strength of the Canadiens.
Weaknesses
The Habs don’t really have a weakness, especially considering they have so many young players on the NHL roster in the weaker positions of their prospect pool.
Any defense group will weaken when players like Hutson and Guhle graduate to the NHL roster, but the Habs still have Reinbacher coming along, and interesting prospects, such as Konyushkov and Engstrom, are still developing.
Even if you look at the left wing and say, “Well there aren’t many impact players there,” you would be discounting that the depth of middle-six center options likely means that one of Hage, Beck, Kapanen or even Aatos Koivu will move to the wing. The Canadiens don’t really have a weakness, and nitpicking to find one is a bit unfair to the work they’ve done.
Hidden Gem: Aatos Koivu, C
Although it’s tough to be a hidden gem as the son of a former Habs captain, Koivu is exactly that.
His game is well-rounded and refined away from the puck. He brings excellent defensive habits and the ability to not only read but also intervene to kill opposing chances. Koivu plays a pro-style game already and looks like a steady bottom-six player at the Liiga level. His shot is a legitimate weapon, and although he wasn’t able to use it much in the Liiga, he showed much better puck distribution this past season.
Koivu’s signed in Finland through this upcoming season, and he should have a full-time role in the Liiga to showcase his growth. With such a solid 200-foot game and a well-rounded skillset, if Koivu can add a bit of offensive touch and showcase his shot a bit more this season, we could see him jump to the AHL next year and make his way to the NHL sooner than most expect.
Next Man Up: Ivan Demidov, RW
The Ivan Demidov Era arrived. Just as he said he wanted to do at the draft, he stepped in and became a difference-maker for the Canadiens. Demidov’s speed, skill and dynamism with the puck made him an instant threat.
While there may be other rookies who play NHL games or step into the lineup at various points this season, none will be more important than Demidov. With a summer of training and acclimating to the team and a training camp to fully integrate into the system and style of play, Demidov’s arrival will change the Canadiens for the foreseeable future. He gives the team an instant threat, whether on the power play or at even strength. It’s Demidov time.
Prospect Depth Chart Notables
LW: Luke Tuch, Florian Xhekaj, Logan Sawyer
C: Michael Hage, Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen, Aatos Koivu, Riley Kidney, Jared Davidson
RW: Ivan Demidov, Joshua Roy, Alexander Zharovsky, L.J. Mooney, Filip Mesar, Vinzenz Rohrer
LD: Adam Engstrom, William Trudeau, Owen Protz, Luke Mittelstadt, Rasmus Bergqvist
RD: David Reinbacher, Bogdan Konyushkov, Bryce Pickford, Carlos Handel, Daniil Sobolev
G: Jacob Fowler, Jakub Dobes, Yevgeni Volokhin, Alexis Cournoyer, Quentin Miller, Arseni Radkov
For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.
Blackhawks' Spencer Knight is One of the Most Impressive Goalies Under 25The NHL is full of young talent and the league has been getting younger in recent years. The Chicago Blackhawks have some of that young talent on their team and have impressive players at every position.
Former Blackhawks Forward Had Monster YearDuring the 2022 NHL off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks elected not to send forward Dylan Strome a qualifying offer. As a result, he became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals in July of that year. This was after Strome posted 22 goals and 48 points with the Blackhawks during the 2021-22 season.
