It’s no secret that the Montreal Canadiens boast one of the NHL’s deepest and most talented prospect pools. That’s often the result of a rebuild that sees a team finish near the bottom of the standings for multiple seasons. In this case, however, the Canadiens’ rebuild has been anything but conventional, with the current management reaping the benefits of a reset that began back in 2018.
With the likes of Kaiden Guhle, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Jayden Struble already establishing themselves at the NHL level, several other key prospects are knocking on the door:
- Logan Mailloux has represented the Laval Rocket in his first two professional seasons in the AHL All-Star Game. His offensive instincts and improving defensive play position him as a strong candidate for full-time NHL duty in the near future.
- Owen Beck and Joshua Roy have both had a cup of coffee in the NHL this season, offering glimpses of their potential at the highest level, although Beck showing more than Roy so far.
- Oliver Kapanen started the season in Montreal but was eventually sent back to the SHL, where he’s been thriving, averaging nearly a point per game. He is set to join Laval once his season concludes.
- Adam Engström continues to adjust well to the smaller ice surface with the Rocket, displaying promise as a two-way defenseman.
- David Reinbacher has returned to play, although taking some time off to rest his knee. The former fifth-overall pick remains a cornerstone of Montreal’s future blue line.
And the list doesn’t stop there.
Beyond these names, other promising prospects from junior leagues, the NCAA, and European circuits are developing into potential impact players.
As we know, player development is rarely linear, making it difficult to predict when a young player will be NHL-ready or make a lasting impact. That said, here’s a look at what could be in store for some of the organization’s top prospects next season.
Habs Prospects Predictions:
- Jacob Fowler is expected to turn pro once his season ends and will join the Rocket. The highly touted goaltender has had an outstanding sophomore season at Boston College, being named the Hockey East Goaltender of the Year for a second year in a row.
- Michael Hage and Sam Harris will remain in the NCAA for another season to continue their development.
- Oliver Kapanen will join the Rocket after his SHL season ends—a move already confirmed by Kent Hughes in his post-trade deadline press conference.
- Ivan Demidov is set to arrive this summer, but he won’t be eligible to join the Habs or the Rocket this season. The 2024 fifth-overall pick has had a strong KHL campaign despite limited ice time.
- Tyler Thorpe is expected to turn pro after his season concludes and could join the Rocket if needed.
- Owen Protz will likely remain in the OHL as an overage player for his fourth season, following a similar path to Jared Davidson.
- Luke Mittelstadt and Jack Smith will both return for their senior year in the NCAA to gain additional experience before turning pro.
With an abundance of young talent in the pipeline, it is not impossible to see some of those names being included in a trade or two for some immediate help. Either way, the future is bright for the Canadiens. The rebuild is evolving into the development phase, where prospects are beginning to push for NHL spots and young players are already making an impact in Montreal. As they continue to grow and gain experience, the Canadiens are steadily moving toward becoming a competitive team once again—one that cannot only develop talent but also start winning games consistently.
