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Canadiens Prospect Power Rankings: Lane Hutson Back In First

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1 year ago

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Montreal Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson OT goal

It was yet another exciting week, and consequently, there’s been a healthy amount of movement in the Montreal Canadiens prospect power rankings.

After a two-week absence, Lane Hutson returns to the top of the pack, but given the strong play from his competition, his grasp on the No.1 spot is tenuous at best.

Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Reminder: 

The Canadiens prospect power rankings are based on the overall season, as well as the most recent week of action.

Factors such as the strength of a prospect’s team, the league in which they play, their age, and expectations related to their draft position will also be considered.

Seeing as Juraj Slafkovsky has earned a job in the NHL thanks to some solid play, he will not be considered for the power rankings at this time.

Prospects playing in professional leagues based in Europe, will, however, be included.

Week 1: Lane Hutson Takes Top Spot

Week 2: Owen Beck Jumps to First

Week 3: Lots Of Movement In The Top 10

Canadiens Prospect Power Rankings Week 4

1. Lane Hutson, 62nd overall (2022), Defenceman, Boston University (NCAA)

Points This Week: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A. Season Totals: 11 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 2nd (+1)

It’s difficult to exaggerate the merits of Hutson’s freshman scoring pace.

Not only is Hutson outscoring many elite defencemen that also had fantastic seasons in the NCAA at just 18 years old, but he has also actively participated in over 44 percent of Boston Universities’ scoring plays.

In addition, he was named the Hockey East Rookie Of The Week for the second time in his short NCAA career.

He’ll have another opportunity to add to his impressive results on Wednesday, as the Terriers face Jake Evans’ alma mater, Notre Dame.

2. Owen Beck, 32nd overall (2022) Centre, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Last Week: 2 GP, 1 G, 2 A.  Season Totals: 17 GP, 14G, 11 A, 25 PTS

Previous Ranking: 1st (-1)

With three points in two games, you could argue Beck deserved to hold onto the top spot this week.

After all, he’s producing at an excellent rhythm, while also dominating the faceoff circle and playing a very responsible brand of defensive hockey in his own zone.

In this case, the drop wasn’t a matter of Beck playing poorly, but rather because Hutson’s quality of competition in the NCAA is a little higher than what the 18-year-old centre faces in the Ontario Hockey League.

There’s no guarantee Beck will feature on Team Canada’s World Junior Championship roster, but he’s doing everything possible to convince Canadian management he’s the right man for the job.

3. Riley Kidney, 63rd overall (2021), Centre, Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)

Points This Week: 2 GP, 2 G, 3 A. Season Totals: 21 GP, 12 G, 22 A, 34 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 4th (+1)

After yet another offence-filled week that included a three-point effort against the Halifax Mooseheads, Kidney jumps up a spot in our prospect rankings.

His Draft+2 season is unfolding in a very encouraging manner, and there seems to be no end in sight to his impressive offensive results. He’s on pace to shatter the 100-point mark, seeing as he’s only been held scoreless in four of the 21 games in which he participated.

It’s worth keeping in mind the Titan are far from a powerhouse, and currently find themselves 15th in the QMJHL standings.

Make sure to check out Montreal Hockey Now’s interview with the exciting prospect.

4. Joshua Roy, 150th overall (2021), Right Wing, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMHJL)

Points This Week: 3 GP, 3 G, 6 A.  Season Totals: 19 GP, 12 G, 20 A, 32 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 6th (+2)

After a sleepy start to the week (for Roy’s standards), which saw him earn just one assist in two games, the Phoenix forward enjoyed one of his best games of the season, going absolutely ham on Patrick Roy’s Quebec Remparts.

Roy had five points in Sherbrooke’s big 5-1 win, pushing him back up into the top 5 after for the first time since the inaugural edition.

It’s worth noting the Remparts are the best team in the QMJHL and are currently the second-best team in Canada according to the CHL power rankings.

5. Sean Farrell, 124th overall (2020), C/LW, Harvard University (NCAA) 

Points This Week: 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A  Season Totals: 7 GP, 4 G, 6 A, 10 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 3rd (-2)

Farrell’s drop is explained by the strong play of his fellow prospects.

Harvard is currently on a break, leaving a 10-day gap in their schedule. They’re back in action this weekend facing the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for back-to-back games.

6. Oliver Kapanen 64th overall (2021), Centre, Kalpa (Liiga),

Points This Week: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A .Season Totals: 20 GP, 5 G, 6 A, 10 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 5th (-1)

Kapanen scored immediately upon returning from playing for Finland at the World Junior Championship warmup tournament, adding to his Liiga U-20 scoring lead.

The second-round pick has established a very impressive scoring rate this season, especially when we consider he’s playing professional hockey against players with much more experience.

7. Vinzenz Rohrer, 75th overall (2022), C/RW, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Points This Week: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A. Season Totals: 20 GP, 8 G, 18 A, 26 PTS.

Previous Rank: 8th (+1)

Rohrer has quickly become one of the most interesting players in the Canadiens prospect pool.

The 18-year-old is rarely held off the scoresheet, with 8 multi-point games for the 67’s this season.

Admittedly, I’ve only watched a handful of Rohrer’s games this year, but every time he’s on the ice good things tend to happen for Ottawa.

He’s engaged, intense, skilled, and the driving force behind most scoring plays.

8. Filip Mesar, 26th overall (2022), Right Wing, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Points This Week: 3 GP, 0 G, 3 A. Season Totals: 12 GP, 6G, 8 A, 14 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 7th (-1)

You could argue Mesar dropping a spot despite maintaining a point-per-game pace is rather harsh, and you’d be right. But the expectations are higher in Mesar’s case, owing to the fact that he’s a first-round pick.

Overall, he’s enjoying a very solid season, but even though the Rangers are one of the weakest teams in the OHL, you’d like to see a little more offence, particularly in the goal column.

9. Cedrick Guindon, 127th overall (2022), Centre, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Points This Week: 2 GP, 0 G, 3 A. Season Totals: 20 GP, 9 G, 19 A, 28 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 9th (No Change)

With just three points in two games, this was far from Guindon’s best week of the year. If he had managed a goal, there would have been a real debate as to whether he should be ahead of Mesar in the rankings.

But regardless of his weekly scoring results, there’s no denying Guindon is one of the most offensively-gifted prospects in the OHL.

Following a three-point effort against the Brampton Battalion, the 18-year-old Franco-Ontarian has produced 10 multi-point games on the season.

10. Logan Mailloux, 31st overall (2021), Defenceman, London Knights (OHL)

Last Week: 3 GP, 2 G, 1 A. Season Totals: 14 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 PTS.

Previous Ranking: 10th (No change)

This has been Jared Davidson’s spot in the power rankings for a few weeks, but Mailloux edged out the 20-year-old thanks to a week that put his great point shot on full display.

He still has a few red flags in his game, especially his defensive play, but his offensive prowess is enough to keep him in the top 10.

Honourable Mentions/On the Cusp: Xavier Simoneau, Anthony Richard, Adam Engstrom, Jared Davidson, Jakub Dobes.

Unrated players that will be considered next week: Emil Heineman.

Do you agree or disagree with the Canadiens prospect rankings? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll consider it for next week’s list.

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