With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft less than two weeks away, there is a lot of reason for Montreal Canadiens fans to be excited. Montreal has an opportunity to add to their already loaded prospect pool. They currently hold two first-round selections in this years draft at 16th and 17th overall. The Canadiens have their own pick (17th) as well as the Calgary Flames pick (16th.) The Flames pick was acquired back in 2022 when the Habs took on Sean Monahan‘s contract. The Canadiens were able to then flip Monahan to Winnipeg for an additional first rounder. This year’s draft is labeled as weak by many scouts in comparison to recent years. However, there are still some intriguing players that could be available in the Canadiens range. Let’s take a look at some potential targets for the Montreal Canadiens at the 2025 NHL Draft.
Potential Montreal Canadiens NHL Draft Targets
Lynden Lakovic
If this year’s playoff matchup with the Capitals was any indication, the Canadiens need to add some size up front. While smaller players like Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson found some success, it’s important to surround them with some larger players as well. Having too many small players can be a negative for a team. This is where Lynden Lakovic comes in. The 6’4 winger brings size and physicality to any team. With 58 points for the Moose Jaw Warriors this year, he also has some offensive touch. He is currently only 190 pounds, so once he fills into that frame and grows into his body he could be a solid power forward for Montreal. Lakovic projects as a middle-six winger and a player like him is exactly what the Canadiens prospect pool needs. He should be on the board when Montreal makes their selections and they would likely use one of their two picks on the big man. Having Slafkovsky and Lakovic on the left wing for years to come would be a recipe for success for the Canadiens.
Carter Bear
Carter Bear is one of the biggest wild-cards of the draft. He certainly has top 10-15 upside but an achilles tendon tear has some scouts worried. Bear seems to be progressing well in his recovery. Therefore, it may not affect his draft stock as much as some initially predicted. Bear had 40 goals and 81 points in the WHL this season. However, it’s his tenacity that makes him such an intriguing prospect. Think of the impact that Sam Bennett has had in Florida after just winning the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP. Bear has the ability to impact the game in this manner. He is exactly the type of player you want in the playoffs and he can put the puck in the back of the net as well. If Bear is on the board at 16 the Canadiens need to make this pick.
Justin Carbonneau
The Quebec-born prospect is one of the most highly-skilled players in the entire draft. He tallied 46 goals and 89 points in the QMJHL this season. Despite his competitiveness, Carbonneau doesn’t fill some of the needs that some of the other players on this list do He stands at 6’1″ but doesn’t have that same physical impact. However, the opportunity to draft a Quebecer who could play in the top six for Montreal may be too good an opportunity to pass up. If he’s on the board, don’t be surprised to see Montreal take him with one of their picks.
Brady Martin
At only 18 years old, Brady Martin has been described as “the best hitter outside of the NHL.” He’s not just a heavy hitter though, Martin has high-end skill with the puck reflected by his 72 points this season. He also served as an alternate captain at the U18’s for Team Canada as well as with his own club the Soo Greyhounds which suggests his leadership abilities. Martin likely won’t be available when the Habs make their selection. However, if he is, it would be a home run pick for Montreal. He may be one of the best fits to fill the Canadiens needs in the entire draft.
Roger McQueen
Roger McQueen is one of the most intriguing players in the entire draft. Very rarely does the opportunity come along to draft a 6’5″ forward with McQueen’s skillset. He was labeled as a top-five pick to begin the year, but was limited to only 17 games tallying 20 points in those contests. It’s hard to gauge how the small sample size will affect his draft stock but it is still unlikely he would be available to Montreal. However, crazier things have happened and adding McQueen would fill Montreal’s second-line centre role for the foreseeable future.
Caleb Desnoyers
Caleb Desnoyers would be the dream scenario for Montreal. He is the most talented prospect to come out of Quebec since the likes of Alexis Lafreniere. Desnoyers certainly won’t be available in the middle of the draft as he could go as high as third-overall. However, Montreal has two first-round picks as well as lots of other assets at their disposal. With rumors of teams like Utah, Nashville, and Boston looking to move down, the Canadiens have an opportunity to move into the top-end of the draft. If they do, he would be their main target. Drafting Caleb Desnoyers would be every Quebecers dream and he brings the character to thrive in the market. Desnoyers elite skill and two-way ability make him the perfect candidate to be Montreal’s future second centre.
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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