Habs Prospects
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:
| Rank | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lane Hutson | Defence |
| 2 | Sean Farrell | Winger |
| 3 | Owen Beck | Centre |
| 4 | Joshua Roy | Winger |
| 5 | Logan Mailloux | Defence |
| 6 | Riley Kidney | Centre |
| 7 | Filip Mesar | Centre/Right Wing |
| 8 | Adam Engstrom | Defence |
| 9 | Jakub Dobes | Goaltender |
| 10 | Oliver Kapanen | Centre |
| 11 | Emil Heineman | Winger |
| 12 | William Trudeau | Defence |
| 13 | Mattias Norlinder | Defence |
| 14 | Jayden Struble | Defence |
| 20 | Jan Mysak | Centre |
| 16 | Cedrick Guindon | Centre |
| 17 | Xavier Simoneau | Winger |
| 18 | Vinzenz Rohrer | Centre |
| 19 | Jared Davidson | Centre |
| 20 | Frederik Dichow | Goalie |
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With Riley Kidney being statistically superior to most names on this list, I’m surprised to see him at #6 and would love to know the justification for him not being higher up than he is.
Completely fair call, I think Montrealer’s and writers have got used to mediocre talent in Montreal, drafted, or otherwise. Kidney is a top talent that of he improves his shot, he could be a top 2 center, or a top 6 forward.
With Suzuki and Dach already here for the future, and possibly Dubois in 2024, my guess is if he makes the team, he’ll end up becoming a winger, unless he becomes a 3C. He’ll have to add some pounds/muscle to his frame to play pro though.
I wouldn’t touch Dubois, only because that is a big chunk of change when it comes to the salary cap. You know flexibility when you’re trying to build a winner, it’ll cost you like it’s cost Toronto with Tavares. I don’t think Toronto ever wins with Tavares, and Matthews will sign in Arizona on 2 years because the leafs aren’t going to be able to afford him.
If it’s money you are worried about with. Dubois, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. We hold all the bargaining power if the rumours are true about him wanting to come here. The cap will have also gone up a bit more by then. As long as we can sign him for the same (or less) percentage of the cap as Suzuki & Caufield, it’ll probably be money well spent. My biggest concern with Dubois will be term and chemistry. He’s been with 2 teams and wanted out of both. That’s an issue for me. Team chemistry is also a big concern for me because the firestorm in Winnipeg coincided with his arrival. Coincidence or not? Don’t know.
Hutson and Farrell play college hockey against players 18-24 of age, rather than 16-20 in major junior hockey. Success against that older, faster, stronger competition justifies their rankings as top two. Beck, Roy and Kidney are in the same tier. Beck is younger, and thus probably a bit more promising in the eyes of some. But he’s just 6 months younger than Roy. I would have ranked Roy ahead of Beck and Kidney because of his brilliant WJC-20 performances. His defensive game, that many considered his main weakness, turned out to be a strength. I showed that he could play well with better teammates, and find ways to complement their talents. He was the one who was selected by Team Canada and he proved the selectors were right by earning ice time. Kidney was injured before the final selection, but when there was a Team Canada call-up, they chose Beck. But with this said, Kidney is amazing playing for Gatineau.
Thanks, Pierre. That helps clarify things. I agree about Roy too. I’d have Kidney ahead of Beck, just based on what he’s doing this year. Beck has lots of potential, but Kidney is actually demonstrating his.
Kidney and Beck are both second rounders. Kidney has way more offensive potential and thinks the game at a different level than Beck. I think you have some strong assets, but someone, if they’re not on their toes, will be playing down the lineup if they’re not playing to their potential. You make your own space, or you make yourself into a valuable assets, or you amount to little.
I don’t understand what it is with Beck, I’m sorry, nothing elite skills wise with him, beyond the faceoff dot. As far as his ability to generate offense?? We’re seeing exactly what he is in Peterborough, a defensive player. You win games by generating offense. If you’re great at keeping it out of your net, that’s fine, but if you don’t have the players that can score, you better be perfect. To get excited over a player that will probably never generate over 40 points in a season doesn’t get me excited at all
Beck is considered as quite a safe bet to become a regular NHL player (Dobber gives him a 95% NHL certainty). He projects as a reliable third-line two-way center who’ll be tasked with defensive mission and will get around 45 points per season. While he has the potential to become more, but this floor is quite attractive as this type of player is needed on a team.
Farrell is given a 75% NHL certainty, but he does make it, we’ll looking at potentially around 70 points per season; Roy is given a 70% NHL certainty, 65 points per season; Kidney, also 65 points per season, but with only a 45% NHL certainty. These 3 prospects combined give a 96% certainty that the Habs will get at least one top-6 forward. In terms of asset value, one can appreciate why Beck is favorably looked upon.
I see Beck as the one who will eventually take over Dvorak’s roster spot, not Suzuki’s or Dach’s. That okay because there’s no need to replace Suzuki or Dach.
I still don’t get getting excited over a fringe 3rd liner, probable 4th liner/faceoff specialist in Beck. This is what’s got Montreal excited for 30 years now; quality roll players. Sorry, I’m so fed up with the lack of talent, a player that probably won’t score much more than 35-40 points at his ceiling. I’m not excited about a player that has no pizzazz, and “plays the right way”!! What is the right way if you have players that can’t score and make a difference. Are we in for a future of players that play well defensively again?? Is that what Montreal has turned into permanently?? I know what Martin and Jeff and Kent are trying to do, but, to have Beck as one of the top prospects really shows that Montreal is still lacking a lot of to end talent. Beck is not a top talent, he should have been picked well after Hutson. Gorton has a decent track record, but if you look at his draft with Boston in the 2015 first round, I’m not sold yet. Their defense is set for the next decade; thank Bergevin for that. But there’s a lot of work to be done, this list hasn’t got me excited considering many other teams have way more talent. Fingers crossed, but it’s going to take a lot more than that.
We need of mix of players and Beck is part of it. See Beck as a Lehkonen who plays center. A team needs players like that also to win games. Now, the rebuild has just begun. The Canadiens were quite fortunate to draft prospects like Roy, Farrell, Kidney, Hutson and Beck on the drafts’ second day. But we must expect this year’s draft to bring not just more prospects, but more talented players also. And unfortunately, it might be the case in 2024 again.