Montreal Canadiens Prospect Rankings: Spring Edition

The Montreal Canadiens have seen some movement in their organizational depth chart, which means it’s time for a new Habs prospects ranking.

The exercise looked to establish, with most of the 2022-2023 season now in the books, where each prospect stands within the prospect hierarchy of the organization.

It differs from the weekly Canadiens prospects power rankings, as this takes into account the status of the prospect at this current time, rather than a weekly performance evaluation.

The NHL determines a rookie season as being in progress once a player hits 25 games played, which Rafaël Harvey Pianrd, Justin Barron and Jesse Ylönen are all projected to reach in the coming days.

They were thus omitted from the list in favour of younger prospects that have shown some excellent strides his season.

Top Flight

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Lane Hutson has remained the top prospect within the Montreal Canadiens organization.

The 62nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft became the first defenceman in Hockey East history to lead the conference in scoring, and the second rookie to do so since Jack Eichel.

His historic season, which saw him put up 12 goals and 31 assists for 43 points in just 33 games hasn’t been seen since Brian Leetch’s 47-point freshman campaign in 1987.

Hutson has catapulted himself to the top of virtually every prospect ranking across the league due to his exceptional play in the offensive zone and his undervalued growth in the defensive end.

In terms of pure potential, Hutson stands alone atop the Canadiens’ prospect rankings.

Lane Hutson has FOUR assists tonight, and this one was the best of them all.

Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/IyrdLrf4wy@hockey_east | @espn pic.twitter.com/UC5V1bjB6J

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) February 4, 2023

Silent Assassin

Closely following Hutson in the rankings is another Boston-based prospect in Sean Farrell.

The 5’9, 175lsb winger has been an absolute force in the NCAA this season and looks primed to make the jump to the NHL this spring.

After putting up 28 points in 24 games for the Harvard Crimson in his first year with the team, the 21-year-old took off in a big way this season.

Must Read: Canadiens Sean Farrell Talks Hobey Baker, Thrill Of Montreal

His 18 goals and 29 assists (47 points in 29 games) not only led Harvard and the entire ECAC in scoring, but it also ranked him second overall in the entire NCAA in terms of points-per-game average.

The Canadiens’ 4th-round pick in 2020 will have a big decision on his hands in the coming months, as he is eligible, and visibly ready, to join the Canadiens at the end of the season and sign his entry-level contract.

Sean Farrell: Nov 26

Led both teams in (5v5 only):
• expected goals (0.86)
• shot assists (7)
• slot passes (8)

But the most impressive stat? He set up more chances from his backhand along the boards than anyone else did in total. pic.twitter.com/pFN5ZDMHvX

— Mitchell Brown (@MitchLBrown) December 2, 2022

Whirlwind Wonder

Completing the top trio for the Canadiens is none other than Owen Beck.

The Canadiens’ other 2nd-round pick in 2022 has had quite the season so far.

Going from training camp standout, to OHL scoring machine, to World Junior emergency recall, to being traded to the Peterborough Petes and emergency recalled by the Montreal Canadiens; it’s been quite the year.

Although Beck may have slowed down his offensive production since moving the Peterborough this January, he still has highly projectable potential for the NHL.

Currently being used in a more defensive role on the second line for the Petes, Beck’s offensive production has cooled off; going from 41 points in 30 games with the Mississauga Steelheads to 14 points in 21 games with Peterborough.

At the end of the day, that versatility and his ability to get up for big games are what distinguish him from the rest of the forwards in the prospect pool.

ELITE SNIPER OWEN BECKpic.twitter.com/NfycgWZiE7

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 21, 2023

Sniper Beauceron

World Junior standout Joshua Roy comes in at No. 4 on this list after winning back-to-back gold medals for Team Canada over the last seven months and helping to lead the potent Sherbrooke Phoenix to another top-of-the-standings finish this season.

Although he may not be leading the QMJHL in scoring as he did last season, the 19-year-old has greatly improved the little details of his game; sacrificing some offensive opportunities in favour of better decisions for the good of the team.

The maturation of his game was put on full display for Team Canada, as he was used in all situations and was the most used forward in the medal rounds for the potent Canadian team.

His 35 goals and 42 assists for 77 points in just 46 games rank him 10th overall in scoring in the QMJHL and fourth overall in points-per-game with a 1.67 ratio

Still trying to figure out how #GoHabsGo prospect Joshua Roy found that gap 😲 pic.twitter.com/TFNQU1s6rM

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) March 4, 2023

Striking Knight

There were a lot of questions as to how Logan Mailloux was going to develop this season; his first full official season in the OHL at age 19.

He responded with some initial growing pains, especially defensively, but has recently started to put it together in a very convincing way.

Mailloux’s 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points in 51 games currently rank him 8th in scoring for defencemen in the OHL and ties for second in goal-scoring from the back end.

He’s used much better judgement as of late when it comes to his gap control and his decision-making with the puck on his stick; resulting in a more complete game.

There’s still lots of development for Mailloux before he can play in the NHL on a regular basis, but the potential to be an offensive defenceman in the NHL is certainly there.

LOGAN MAILLOUX OVERTIME WINNER

9 STRAIGHT WINS@CanadiensMTL | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/0MMdEDasKX

— London Knights (@LondonKnights) February 15, 2023

The Full Rankings

See the full rankings below: