The Canadiens’ pipeline is led by two super-talented wingers in Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovský, who both have star potential, as well as their Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Lane Hutson. Their top-end center prospects aren’t ideal for the ranking this system has, but they have plenty of significant talent at all positions.
2024 ranking: 6

2025 NHL Draft grade: B-

Player Ranking

1. Juraj Slafkovský, RW

March 30, 2004 | 6-foot-3 | 238 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 1 in 2022
Tier: NHL All-Star

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Slafkovský’s season followed a similar path to 2023-24, where he struggled in the first half but was much more productive in the second half. He has a special combination of size, speed and skill. When he’s coming down the wing with speed, he’s a handful to deal with for NHL defensemen due to his massive frame. Slafkovský has embraced using his large body. He’s highly physical and is very effective generating offense at the net. I wouldn’t call Slafkovský the more instinctive playmaker on a top line, but he’s very good with the puck and creates in tight areas and off the rush. Even if his point totals never hit the highest of tiers, Slafkovský could be a star in the NHL due to the unique role he provides.

2. Ivan Demidov, RW

Dec. 10, 2005 | 6-feet | 192 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 5 in 2024
Tier: NHL All-Star

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Elite
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Demidov had an outstanding season in Russia as the best rookie in the KHL and a major contributor to a top offense in that league. He is a player with off-the-charts skill. He’s extremely creative, making plays with the puck and often breaking shifts open with his stick handling. Demidov sees the ice at a very high level. He can run a power play flank as a passer, and is excellent making plays in tight areas. He has an excellent motor, attacks the net consistently and competes hard to win pucks. The only true knock on Demidov is his skating. He’s not slow, but he has an awkward/knock-kneed skating stride that could be a minor issue in the NHL. He’s so good at everything else, though, that it shouldn’t be a major issue. He projects as a star winger.

3. Lane Hutson, D

Feb. 14, 2004 | 5-foot-10 | 165 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 62 in 2022
Tier: Top of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: High-end
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Hutson won the Calder Trophy after a marvelous rookie season where he surpassed 60 points and played major minutes for the Canadiens. He’s a dynamo with the puck on his stick. Hutson has high-end skill, creativity, poise and sense with the puck, often walking the blue line using his great edge work to create time to make plays. He sees the ice at an elite level and can run a first-unit power play. There’s no doubt about Hutson’s offense; the doubt comes down to his defense. He’s a small defenseman without high-end feet or physicality. He works hard but he can get bullied in physical play, and without high-end athletic traits he will have trouble defending the fastest, strongest forwards, especially in the playoffs. He will have a ton of points in his career and play real minutes at even strength, but a team ideally surrounds him with defensemen who can take the tough matchups.

4. David Reinbacher, D

Oct. 25, 2004 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 5 in 2023
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Reinbacher got injured at training camp and ended up missing most of the season. When he did play for Laval, he looked promising and was a big part of a top AHL team. Reinbacher is a well-rounded defenseman. He has strong puck play, with the skill and hockey sense of an NHL defenseman. I don’t think he’s dynamic by any means, but he can make tough plays to teammates and through defenders, and do so with pace. He’s a strong skater who can carry pucks up ice and create off the blue line. Defensively, he’s solid due to his reach and feet. He won’t run opponents over, but he can play a heavy defensive game and competes well. He won’t be the best at any one thing but he checks a lot of boxes and is trending toward being a very useful top-four defenseman.

5. Zack Bolduc, C

Feb. 24, 2003 | 6-feet | 187 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 17 in 2021
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: High-end

Analysis: Bolduc had a very positive season, following up a so-so first pro campaign by making the Blues and helping them win games. Bolduc’s always had impressive talent, which is why he was a mid-first-round pick. He’s a strong skater with very good hands and offensive IQ, and a big-time shot from range. The issues in his game have always been without the puck. I don’t think that’s his calling card by any means, but he showed notable improvement this season in particular by getting to the inside more and not being afraid of contact. The steps he’s taken this season have him looking like a clear middle-six winger.

6. Michael Hage, C

April 14, 2006 | 6-foot-1 | 190 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 21 in 2024
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Below NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Hage had an impressive freshman season as a leading part of Michigan’s team. He’s a very talented forward with the speed, hands and hockey sense of an NHL player. Hage is very dangerous coming up the ice with speed and can make a ton of highly creative plays at an NHL pace. He’s also a strong playmaker who can run a power play due to his vision and shot. In his best games, Hage can be dominant, but he has a history of being inconsistent or streaky. He also plays on the outside too much, and despite being a center, the way he plays could push him to the wing in the NHL.

7. Oliver Kapanen, C

July 29, 2003 | 6-foot-1 | 183 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 64 in 2021
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Kapanen had an impressive season, continuing his upward development trend. He made the Habs out of camp but was sent back to Europe midseason, where he was a top player for Timrå in the SHL. Kapanen isn’t overly flashy, but he’s a skilled and competitive forward. He can win battles and create chances in the tough areas while also having the soft skill to make difficult plays. He sees the ice well enough and has a good shot. Kapanen’s only real flaw is a lack of clear NHL foot speed. He’s shown more offense than I expected a few years ago and is trending to being a middle-six forward, although whether that’s at center or the wing is to be determined.

8. Owen Beck, C

Feb. 3, 2004 | 6-feet | 190 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 33 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: High-end

Analysis: Beck was solid as a rookie pro and an important player for Laval. He also earned some time with Montreal. He has skill, but I don’t think his game is the flashiest. Rather, it’s driven by speed and energy. He’s highly competitive and is a very good two-way center. He wins a lot of puck battles, kills penalties and can create offense at the net. He has interior offense, but also has a lethal wrist shot that can beat goalies from range. Beck may never be the biggest pure scorer as a pro, though, especially for an average-sized forward, which makes me think he’s more of a bottom-six center in the NHL.

9. Alexander Zharovsky, RW

Feb. 22, 2007 | 6-foot-1 | 163 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 34 in 2025
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Zharovsky had a highly productive first season in Russia’s top junior league, although he did it in the clear worst division in that league, so his scoring needs to be looked at with a grain of salt. He has some obvious tools, though, between his size, speed and skill. Zharovsky can create a lot of entries and chances with the pace in his game. He’s a creative offensive player who can beat defenders one-on-one and hit seams in the O-zone. He’s not overly physical, but he gets to the net for chances and has a game that could translate to higher levels. He could be a bottom-six winger.

10. Jacob Fowler, G

Nov. 24, 2004 | 6-foot-2 | 214 pounds | Catches left

Drafted: No. 69 in 2023
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average

Analysis: Fowler dominated the college level and was good in the AHL after he signed. He is athletic and has great technique and hockey sense. He’s able to make a lot of tough saves, and does so efficiently with high-level reads and squaring up a lot of pucks. Fowler can also make the tough side-to-side saves and has the strong compete level to never give up on a play. He’s average-sized at best, though, and doesn’t have true premier athleticism for the NHL. He’s been outstanding as an amateur but there are minor questions on how his game will translate. He projects as a backup goaltender.

11. Joshua Roy, C

Aug. 6, 2003 | 6-feet | 192 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 150 in 2021
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Roy was a top player for Laval, making an impact at the AHL level as a second-year pro and getting some brief time with Montreal. He is an extremely skilled and creative winger with the hands and IQ to make a lot of difficult plays seem routine. With his vision and shot, he can run a power play well and is often dangerous inside the offensive zone. His compete is fine; he has enough interior offense for the pro game and gives a decent effort, although he’s not overly physical. Roy’s main issue comes down to his feet. He lacks clear NHL foot speed, and given his average frame, he will need to be very good with the puck to have a long NHL career. He looks like more of a solid depth forward for an organization.

12. Vinzenz Rohrer, C

Sept. 9, 2004 | 5-foot-10 | 161 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 75 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Rohrer has taken positive steps from a fringe pro prospect into someone whose had success versus men in Switzerland since going back overseas. He isn’t big, but everything else about his game is positive. Rohrer is a quick skater who’s shown a lot more pace in his game than he displayed in junior. He can push the pace with his speed and skill. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from range and off the rush. He competes hard, playing the body and showing he can PK even at his size. He could be a useful depth forward for an NHL organization.

13. Hayden Paupanekis, C

Feb. 4, 2007 | 6-foot-5 | 203 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 69 in 2025
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Paupanekis has a lot of appealing traits. He’s a big center who skates well for his size and has some offensive abilities. He can make nifty small-area plays with the puck. Paupanekis doesn’t shy away from using his big body, and while I wouldn’t call his off-puck play great, it’s good enough. I would like to see him be more consistent. He plays on the outside too much, and his decisions with the puck aren’t the best. The tools are highly intriguing from a pro upside perspective and he could provide useful depth in the NHL.

14. Tyler Thorpe, RW

Aug. 11, 2005 | 6-foot-5 | 214 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 130 in 2024
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Thorpe had a positive 19-year-old season in the WHL, which led to an NHL contract with Montreal. Thorpe is a big winger who plays very hard and was one of the most physical players in the WHL. He has a good shot from range and displays strong instances of puck skills. His hockey sense is a major question, however, and his skating is just OK as well, although he moves well for a big man. He’s a likable type of player who I can see getting games if a coach wanted to add some toughness to the lineup.

15. Yevgeni Volokhin, G

April 6, 2005 | 6-foot-3 | 168 pounds | Catches left

Drafted: No. 144 in 2023
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average

Analysis: Volokhin was up and down as a regular KHL goalie as a 19-year-old. He has the look of an NHL goaltender between his size, athleticism and puck tracking skills. He anticipates the play well and makes good reads, but he also makes a ton of difficult saves. Volokhin has the quick twitch in his lower half to make the lateral saves needed in the NHL, as well as showing good compete on pucks he needs to improvise on. He looks like a potential backup goaltender.

Has a chance to play*

Logan Sawyer didn’t have a huge freshman season, but his tools always catch your eye. He has legit skill and vision, and good enough feet to potentially score at the next level. Bodgan Konyushkov has been a good defenseman in the KHL. He’s super smart with the puck and moves quite well. His size will be a major issue for defending in the KHL, especially given he’s not overly physical.
Adam Engström, D

Nov. 17, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 190 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 92 in 2022

Aatos Koivu, C

June 22, 2006 | 6-feet | 170 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 70 in 2024

Bogdan Konyushkov, D

Dec. 20, 2002 | 6-feet | 172 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 110 in 2023

LJ Mooney, C

March 8, 2007 | 5-foot-7 | 157 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 113 in 2025

Bryce Pickford, D

April 2, 2006 | 6-foot-1 | 190 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 81 in 2025

Owen Protz, D

Feb. 7, 2006 | 6-foot-2 | 207 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 102 in 2024

Arseni Radkov, G

Aug. 5, 2007 | 6-foot-4 | 194 pounds | Catches left | Drafted: No. 82 in 2025

Logan Sawyer, LW

May 6, 2006 | 6-foot-1 | 174 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 78 in 2024

* Listed in alphabetical order

Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2025, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.

Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.

Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.

(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic. Photo: Vitor Munhoz / Getty Images)