The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!
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Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes made it clear at the start of last season that they wanted to be “in the mix,” and they exceeded that goal. From being in last place on December 1st to securing a playoff spot in the final game of the season, the Canadiens blossomed into being one of the youngest and most exciting teams to watch in the league.
Montreal had a short-lived playoff run but it was a very insightful one. After losing to the Capitals in five games, it was clear the team lacked one key element: Size. With the need to address that this summer, they bring in Dobson (6-4), Bolduc (6-0), Blais (6-2), and Veleno (6-1). Not only are there newcomers of size, but there’s also a ton of skill being added to the lineup. With the off-season additions, and Demidov set for his rookie campaign, expectations on the team are high. Will there be playoff hockey at the Bell Centre in April, or will the Canadiens take a step back?
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Be sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/montreal-canadiens/
To view past 32s go here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/
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NHL Draft Recap
Round 2, 34th overall: Alexander Zharovsky, RW – (6-1, 165 lbs)
MHL: 45GP – 24G, 26A, 50P
The Canadiens traded picks 41 and 49 to the Hurricanes for pick 34. Montreal then selected Zharovsky, one of the, if not the best puck-handler in this draft. There’s no surprise that the Habs traded up because he has first-round talent written all over him. Zharovsky has very soft hands in tight, the kind that can turn a defender inside out and then beat a goalie one-on-one. He also sees the ice extremely well, and it’s clear that he loves to have the puck on his stick. His ability to weave through traffic, attract defenders towards him, and find an open teammate is surreal – you would think he has eyes in the back of his head.
Zharovsky spent last season in Russia in the MHL and has two years left under his contract. He got called up to the KHL for their playoff run and played well. There’s no indication yet as to where he will play next season, whether that’s the MHL, VHL, or KHL, but fans and Habs management should be excited to track his progress. He will need to fill into his body as he’s currently listed at 6-1, 165 lbs, but two years of development in Russia gives him that time. I could see Zharovsky playing in a top-six role at the NHL level.
Round 3, 69th overall: Hayden Paupanekis, C – (6-5, 203 lbs)
WHL: 71GP – 22G, 21A, 43P
At 6-5, Paupanekis brings a physical element to his game, but he’s not just known for that. Despite his size, he’s a really good skater and can provide offense with his heavy shot. His playmaking skills are underrated; he uses his body and wide stance to protect the puck, which gives him time to find open teammates. Several scouts had him going as early as the second round, so it’s not a surprise Montreal traded up to get him when he was available at 69. Paupanekis is labeled as a power forward, but he’s very smart and skilled. He turned eyes at Habs development camp – I could see him being a steal in the third round as he has many translatable NHL attributes.
Round 3, 81st overall: Bryce Pickford, RD – (6-1, 183 lbs)
WHL: 46GP – 20G, 27A, 47P
Drafted as an overager, Pickford is a right-shot defenseman who scores goals. He put up 20 goals last season with Medicine Hat in 46 games, then added another 13 in 18 playoff games. Whether it’s a heavy wrister or a one-timer, his release always seems to find the back of the net. Standing at 6-1, 183 pounds, Pickford is not afraid to drop the gloves and did so six times with the Tigers. He often joins the rush after making an outlet pass. He excels in transition and is confident being a puck carrier. It will be interesting to see if he starts the year with Laval or goes the NCAA route, but regardless, Pickford is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.
Round 3, 82nd overall: Arseni Radkov, G – (6-4, 198 lbs)
MHL: 19GP – (4-8-3), 3.18 GAA, .918 SV%
A 6-4 goalie from Belarus, Radkov, played last season in Russia. He is a butterfly-style goalie who excels in rebound control and play tracking. His vision through traffic allows him to make saves easier for himself. He doesn’t like to over-commit or have to make desperation saves (even though he’s athletic enough to do so), so he’s always aware of his surroundings and knows where scoring threats are. Radkov has a lot of traits to be a successful NHL goalie. Playing for Armada next season in the QMJHL, he’ll be able to gain valuable North American experience.
Round 4, 113th overall: L.J. Mooney, C – (5-7, 160 lbs)
NTDP: 51GP – 10G, 41A, 51P
USHL: 26GP – 5G, 23A, 28P
Grabbing a player as skilled as Mooney in the fourth round is money for Montreal. If not for his size, he has all the work ethic and skill of a first-round pick. It is statistically known that smaller players have less of a chance of being an NHL regular – but I would bet that he breaks that mold. Having a chance to watch him play at the World Junior Summer Showcase, he plays the game with heart and the kind you can’t teach – similar to Gallagher. He drives the net hard, he battles in corners, and he isn’t afraid to get hit. Some might say he gets hit too often, but that’s just the way he plays – he is a warrior. Mooney is also very skilled offensively. He skates very well, has great edges, and is known for his elite vision. His desire to set up his linemates for chances is what makes him such a good hockey player. He stood out right away at the Canadiens development camp, and I can’t wait to track his progress this year at the University of Minnesota.
With all the L.J. Mooney hype in dev camp today, I wanted to post some of his best moments this year. He’s an elite playmaker with evasive skills, and being in the Habs system, you just can’t help but to draw comparisons with Lane Hutson. The Habs have a special player in Mooney pic.twitter.com/4Gd37ZhzmX
— Jérémi Plourde (@jeremiplourde_) July 3, 2025
Round 5, 145th overall: Alexis Cournoyer, G – (6-4, 205 lbs)
QMJHL: 21GP – (13-6-1), 1.82 GAA, .942 SV%
After leading the QMJHL in goals-against-average and save percentage, Cournoyer is headed to Cornell University to play in the NCAA. Standing at 6-4, he is a big goalie who covers a lot of net. He’s known for being calm in net and likes to make calculated lateral movements over desperation saves. He covers his short side angles well and sticks to his posts, rarely giving up wrap-around chances. His progression will take time, and he will need to work on becoming a better puck handler, but with Fowler and Dobes in the pipeline, Cournoyer can develop at his own pace.
Round 6, 177th overall: Carlos Handel, RD – (6-1, 176 lbs)
QMJHL: 52GP – 3G, 23A, 26P
Handel is a 6-1 right-handed defenseman who plays a smooth game and doesn’t shy away from joining the rush. Last year, he captained Germany at the U18 World Juniors, where he put up four points in four games. He was projected to go as early as the second round by Daily Faceoff, so to get him in the sixth is great value for Montreal. Handel is very calm under pressure and makes good first passes out of his zone. He loves to get involved in the play and attacks all the open ice you give him. His mobility allows him to be deceptive and chip in offensively.
Round 6, 189th overall: Andrew MacNiel, RD – (6-3, 196 lbs)
OHL: 33GP – 0G, 3A, 3P
MacNiel brings a strong physical presence as a defenseman. Listed at 6-3, 196 pounds, he is a big body that clears the front of the net well. His defensive positioning is good and makes a good first pass out of his end. With limited seasoning in the OHL, he will need to continue to work on his skating and find ways to get involved in the offensive zone.
Round 7, 209th overall: Maxon Vig, LD – (6-2, 212 lbs)
USHL: 62GP – 10G, 22A, 32P
With the overload of left-shot defensemen in the system, the Canadiens grabbed their lone one of the draft in Vig at 209th overall. Although he is typically known for his physical playstyle, his numbers with the RoughRiders were solid. With his heavy shot, he was able to put up 10 goals over 62 games. Standing at 6-2 and weighing in over 200 pounds, Vig is imposing on the ice and clears the front of the net well. He’s also not afraid to drop the gloves and doesn’t hesitate to step up for his teammates. Committed to Bemidji State University in the fall, it’ll be interesting to see if he can refine his game at the collegiate level.
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Off-Season Moves
Incoming
Noah Dobson, RD – Acquired and signed (eight-year deal, $9.5M AAV) from NYI for Emil Heineman and two 2025 1st round picks.
Zach Bolduc, LW – Acquired from STL for Logan Mailloux.
Joe Veleno, C – Signed in Free Agency (one-year, $900K)
Kaapo Kahkonen, G – Signed in Free Agency (one-year, $1.15M)
Marc Del Gaizo, LD – Signed in Free Agency (one-year, $775K)
Sammy Blais, LW – Signed in Free Agency (one-year, $775K)
Alex Belzile, RW/C – Signed in Free Agency (one-year, $775K)
Nate Clurman, RD – Signed in Free Agency (one-year, $775K)
Outgoing
Christian Dvorak, C – Signed by PHI (one-year deal, $5.4M)
Joel Armia, RW – Signed by LAK (two-year deal, $2.5M AAV)
David Savard, RD – Retired
Emil Heineman, LW – Traded with two 2025 1st round picks to NYI for Noah Dobson.
Logan Mailloux, RD – Traded to STL for Zach Bolduc
Cayden Primeau, G – Traded to CAR for a 2026 7th-round pick
Michael Pezzetta, LW – Signed by TOR (two-year deal, $812K AAV)
Rafael Harvey-Pinard, LW – Signed by PIT (one-year deal, $775K)
Connor Hughes, G – Signed in Swiss National League
Re-Signed
Jayden Struble, LD – (two-year deal, $1.412M AAV)
Jakub Dobes, G – (two-year deal, $965K AAV)
William Trudeau, LD – (one-year, $775K)
Sean Farrell, LW – (one-year, $775K)
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In the System
Risers
Ivan Demidov, RW – (5th overall, 2024)
KHL: 65GP – 19G, 30A, 49P
NHL: 2GP – 1G, 1A, 2P
With 49 points in 65 games, Demidov now holds the U20 points record in the KHL. Not only did he do it as a 19-year-old, but he did it averaging only 14 minutes a game. On his tool-kit alone, there’s no other prospect in the sport like him. His versatility leaves everyone wondering what his next move will be, and it is completely unpredictable. He has some of the best hands I have seen in a long time, think Datsyuk and Kovalev level. Although his straight-line skating got criticized a lot during his draft year, he’s improved significantly in that realm. Demidov has a unique ability to grab pucks off the wall and attack the middle of the ice. He’s a gifted playmaker and often draws in defenders and goalies with head fakes/fake shots just to pass it to a wide-open teammate.
In Russia, Demidov was a human highlight reel. Despite limited playing time, he quickly established himself as one of the most skilled players in the league – and he was a rookie. It was no fluke that he set a new scoring record. His deceptiveness and puck-skills allow him to beat defenders one-on-one and slice through traffic to get himself into the slot. He is like a shark on the ice; he creates turnovers, steals pucks, and makes you pay for it. After his season was over, Demidov signed his entry level contract with Montreal and had no trouble transitioning his game over for his debut. In his first NHL period, he already had two points and included a goal that sent the city of Montreal into an uproar. He’s set to start his rookie season with the Canadiens in a top-six role and is the clear-cut Calder favourite.
Michael Hage, C – (21st overall, 2024)
NCAA: 33GP – 13G, 21A, 34P
Coming off his freshman season as an 18-year-old in the NCAA, Hage put up point per game numbers and showcased his offensive talents on many nights. He’s a natural center and has top-six potential at the NHL level. His skating, puck protection, and how he sees the ice is off the charts. He can read the game, slow it down, and is a dual-threat as both a shooter and a passer. In the offensive zone, Hage will hunt down pucks and finish his checks. He demands having an impact every shift, whether it’s creating plays for himself or his linemates.
I had a chance to watch him play at the World Junior Summer Showcase and was very impressed with his transition game. He loves coming up the ice with speed and has the poise to make plays at a very fast pace. Comparing his last two development camps with Montreal, he seems to be a lot stronger this year and looks to have added about 10 pounds of muscle. Hage is set to play his Sophomore season in Michigan and should make the Team Canada World Junior team in December. Bearing any setbacks, his NHL timeline is as early as this season once he wraps up his year with Michigan.
Jacob Fowler, G – (69th overall, 2023)
NCAA: 35GP – (25-7-2), 1.63 GAA, .940 SV%
AHL: 3GP – (2-1-0), 2.32 GAA, .914 SV%
From off-ice character to on-ice play, Fowler has established himself as one of the best goalie prospects in the league. He has the attitude of a winner, and it shows. During his freshman year at Boston College in 2023-24, he was named the Hockey East Goaltender of the Year after winning 32 out of 39 games. With that, he set a new NCAA single-season freshman goalie win record – surpassing Al Montoya. He followed up his freshman season by putting up 25 wins over 35 games, which included seven shutouts, and won the Mike Richter award as the most outstanding goalie in the NCAA. Once his season was over, he signed his entry level contract and had some good outings to end the year with Laval.
Fowler has great all-around mechanics as a goalie. He tracks the play well, fights through traffic, and is square to shooters, taking away scoring angles. In desperation, he comes up with big saves and has excellent post-to-post coverage. He’s a very reliable goalie, and it’s rare to see him give up a bad goal. If he sees it, he’s going to stop it. Since being drafted, he has been committed to staying in better shape, which was something he had to work on. Fowler is going to be an NHL starter, and a very good one. The timeline for his debut is unknown, but I believe a couple of years getting big minutes in Laval will prepare him for the Big League.
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Fallers
Filip Mesar, RW – (26th overall, 2022)
AHL: 42GP – 4G, 14A, 18P
Since being a first-round draft pick in 2022, Mesar has struggled to find consistency in his game to crack the Canadiens roster. At the start of last season, he was off to a hot start, scoring five points in the first four games with Laval in the American League. Then, he suffered a lower-body injury that kept him sidelined for two months. Coming back from injury, he couldn’t find a way to pick up where he left off and got hurt again in February, which shortened his season to 42 games.
Standing at 5-10, 185 pounds, Mesar is on the smaller side, but he’s an incredible skater. He has NHL-level speed and is a great puck-handler. Most of his plays are created off the rush or during a cycle in the offensive zone when he has time to slip coverage. Watching Mesar, you can tell he’s very talented – he just needs to stay healthy and slowly gain his confidence back.
Joshua Roy, LW – (150th overall, 2021)
NHL: 12GP – 2G, 0A, 2P
AHL: 47GP – 20G, 15A, 35P
Roy’s progression as a prospect hasn’t been linear. During the 2023-24 season, he had a strong rookie year in the AHL, which warranted him a call-up to the Canadiens. In 23 games, he put up nine points and was poised to crack the opening lineup the following year. With high expectations to make the team, he ended up getting cut from training camp and returned to Laval to start the season.
Roy is a very smart hockey player. But he needs to work on his skating and get more involved during games. Although his work ethic has been criticized in the past, I believe it’s there – he just needs to bring it on a consistent basis if he wants to play in the NHL. Roy will need a new contract at the end of this season, and he knows it, so I’m excited to see how he responds.
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Likely to see NHL action
– Ivan Demidov, RW
– David Reinbacher, RD
– Oliver Kapanen, C
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Top 20 Prospects
This section is intended to paint a picture of the Montreal Canadiens prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.
Ivan Demidov, RW
David Reinbacher, RD
Michael Hage, C
Jacob Fowler, G
Alexander Zharovsky, LW
Aatos Koivu, C
Jakub Dobes, G
Oliver Kapanen, C
Adam Engstrom, LD
Owen Beck, C
L.J. Mooney, C
Florian Xhekaj, C
Joshua Roy, LW
Bogdan Konyushkov, RD
Hayden Paupanekis, C
Tyler Thorpe, C
Jared Davidson, C
Sean Farrell, LW
William Trudeau, LD
Filip Mesar, RW
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Projected lineup 2025-2026
LW C RWCaufield Suzuki SlafkovskyLaine Dach Demidov*Bolduc Newhook Anderson*Veleno Evans Gallagher
LD RDGuhle HutsonMatheson *DobsonXhekaj Carrier
* = New addition
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Final Thoughts
As the Montreal Canadiens are set to hit the ice in October, the city of Montreal and fans are in for a very exciting year. With Demidov projected as the clear-cut Calder favourite – and with the additions of Dobson and Bolduc, the Canadiens are set to dress one of the best rosters they’ve had in recent memory. The young core has also matured – Suzuki ended the season with 37 points in 26 games since the Four Nations tournament. Hutson won the Calder trophy with 66 points and tied the rookie defenseman assist record (60) – held by Larry Murphy. Caufield scored 37 goals, the most since Pacioretty in 2014. Slafkovsky had a career year… With a season-ending performance that established Heart, Resiliency, and Culture in the locker room – we’re in for a big one. Management, led by Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes has always strived for improvement, and with the additions made this summer, they’ve sent a clear message to the league: the Rebuild is over. Only one question remains: Ça sent la Coupe?
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Be sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/montreal-canadiens/
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I’m excited to cover OHL prospects monthly this upcoming season so cheers to the new season!
If you want to see me rant about hockey on Twitter/X, you can follow me personally – @AlforqueE
‘Til next time, Emmanuel Alforque