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Top Montreal Canadiens Prospect Rankings – 2024 Edition

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2 months ago

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Montreal canadiens prospect

Welcome to the top Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings, our summer list that evaluates the future of the organization.

Unlike our Canadiens prospect power rankings that are published during the season, this list is based on overall value, including perceived potential, which means someone like David Reinbacher will rank much higher than he did while he played HC Kloten, one of the worst teams in the National League (Switzerland) last season.

To qualify for the list as a Canadiens prospect, players must be 23 years old or younger, and have fewer than 100 NHL games under their belt. The following players did not make the cut in our Canadiens prospect rankings: Blake Biondi, Ty Smilanic, Daniil Sobolev, Emmett Croteau, Joe Vrbetic, and Mikus Vecvanags. You’ll note that Croteau, Vrbetic, and Vecvanags are all goaltenders. There’s a decent possibility they may prove me wrong in the future, especially since goaltenders take a little longer than skaters to find their rhythm, but as of now, they are yet to play well enough to be considered among the top 40 prospects.

As per usual, we invite everyone to offer their opinion on the subject, though we would like to remind our community to engage in polite conversation, regardless of how highly, or lowly they rate certain players. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the players we listed from N0.40 to No.31.

40. Jack Smith, 22, Forward (C/RW), University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA), Picked 102nd overall in 2020.

The 6’0 forward was given many more opportunities with the University of Minnesota-Duluth last season, scoring three goals and nine assists in 34 games. Even though he’s already 22 years old, it was only his second year in the NCAA, which connotes there may be room for improvement. But as it stands, Smith is at risk of falling out of the top 40 Montreal Canadiens prospects, especially since he also had a hard time producing for the Sioux Falls Stampede when he played in the USHL.

39. Rasmus Bergqvist, 19, Defenceman, J20 Skelleftea (SHL), Picked 224th overall in 2024.

The last player picked by the Habs at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft clocks in at No.39. The 6’5” blueliner has a tendency to deliver big hits when the opportunity arises, and recently finished his second complete season in Sweden, playing for Skelleftea’s Under-20 program. He enjoyed a slight uptick in scoring, with four goals and 12 assists in 36 games, not to mention a goal and two assists in nine playoff games. He’s expected to once again start the season in the Under-20 league, but he should be among the first players called up should Skelleftea need reinforcements in the SHL, where his overall progress in recent years can be judged against high-end opponents. If you’d like to learn more about Bergqvist make sure to check out this article via European prospect expert Patrik Bexell.

38. Makar Khanin, 19, Right Wing, Dynamo St. Petersburg (VHL), chosen 210th overall in 2024

It’s always a little more difficult to get a read on prospects developing overseas, particularly those playing in Russia. On that note, Khanin had very respectable numbers in both the VHL (nine goals and 18 assists in 35 games), and the MHL (Seven goals and two assists in seven games) this season. He projects as a player with solid anticipation and a nose for the net. It will be difficult for him to eventually crack the lineup in Montreal, but for now he can focus on putting together an impressive season in the VHL that would consequently improve his ranking among Montreal Canadiens prospects.

37. Alexander Gordin, 22, Forward (RW/C), Goynak-UGMK (VHL), Picked 171st overall in 2020

This 6’1” forward knows how to score, as evidenced by his 18 goals and 22 assists in 53 games last season in the VHL. His shot is excellent, and he’s at home when his team can establish sustained pressure in the offensive zone. But if we’re being honest, Gordin has a lot of work left to do when it comes to his skating, which could be qualified as average if we’re being very generous. It’s also worth pointing out that at 22, he’s among the older players in the VHL, which gives him a physical advantage over most opponents. He did spend parts of three seasons in the KHL, where he scored two goals and one assist in 21 games.

36. Rhett Pitlick, 23, Left Wing, University of Minnesota (NCAA), Picked 131st overall in 2019.

Speaking of older prospects, we’ve arrived at one of the most interesting names on our list today. Pitlick improved his scoring pace in all three seasons while playing in the NCAA, finishing with 19 goals and 17 assists in 39 games last year. That’s a very respectable stat line, but we simply can’t ignore the fact that at 23-years old, Pitlick is among the elder statesmen on the ice at all times in the NCAA. This doesn’t mean we should write him off, but it does put his improved production into context.

35. Ben Merrill, 18, Centre, Penticton Vees (BCHL) Picked 166th overall in 2024.

At 6’4”, Merrill has the ideal frame for a player drafted by Kent Hughes and Co. His great wrist shot led to 18 goals in 25 games last season, though we should mention he was playing with St. Sebastian’s Prep School in the USHS, which is far from the highest possible level of competition for an 18-year-old. He is expected to play in the BCHL next season before heading to Harvard (NCAA) in 2025-26, where we’ll be able to get a much better read on his long-term value. For now, I’d suggest being cautiously optimistic as to his overall potential.

34. Quentin Miller, 19, Goaltender, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL), Picked 128th overall, 2023.

Unfortunately Miller was kept out of action during the QMJHL playoffs for the Oceanic, as he suffered an injury during a shootout when he was attempting to make a save against Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward Mateo Norbert. The good news is that his numbers improved after the trade that saw him leave the Quebec Remparts, to the tune of a .917 save percentage with his new team. At 6’3”, he has the right frame for professional goaltending, though it’s his cerebral approach to the game that usually comes to the forefront when watching him play.

33. Riley Kidney, 21, Forward, Laval Rocket (AHL), Chosen 63rd overall 2021

I predict some may push back on this ranking, as Kidney was one of the most productive Montreal Canadiens prospects who was picked by the former management group. I had concerns as to his ability to translate his game to the AHL level. Kidney relied on open ice, heavy usage, and raw skill to score in the QMJHL, but none of those advantages were present once he started facing a higher quality of competition. He did enjoy a few encouraging weeks while playing for the Rocket, but his seven goals and 13 assists in 65 games led to an overall underwhelming scoring pace. With more shifts and perhaps even some powerplay ice time, Kidney could very well renew his scoring touch next season, but he’ll need to convince new head coach Pascal Vincent that he’s worthy of such opportunities in the first place.

32. William Trudeau, 21, Defenceman, Laval Rocket (AHL), Chosen 113th overall in 2021

Every once in a while someone takes a close look at a Canadiens prospect who is not necessarily highly touted and quickly attempts to right the wrong by pumping their tires. That’s exactly what I did following Trudeau’s performances at the 2022 and 2023 development camps. Unfortunately, he did not hit the ground running for the Laval Rocket in 2023-24. If anything, he regressed significantly, which was surprising given that he essentially made the right decision every time he was playing with fellow Habs prospects. His positioning and rush defence improved as the season went on, as did his production, but he’ll need to find another gear if he’s to once again enter the conversation as to the important prospects who have healthy odds of one day making the NHL. The influx of talent at the AHL level will further complicate his situation.

31. Sam Harris, 20, LW, University of Denver (NCAA), chosen 133rd overall in 2023

While everyone focused on Lane Hutson, Luke Tuch, and Jacob Fowler, it was Canadiens prospect Sam Harris who emerged from the NCAA’s Frozen Four tournament with a national championship. He scored a crucial goal in the semis against Cornell, which secured Denver’s spot in the final four. With 17 goals and seven assists in 42 games, Harris certainly pulled more than his own weight when it came to scoring important goals for the National Champions. Denver may lose a crucial player or two, but they’re well positioned to once again challenge for the top spot in collegiate hockey next year. Harris should be given a little more responsibility in the quest to repeat, as he’ll have a lot more important experience under his belt compared to his rookie year.

Do you agree or disagree with the Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings posted above? Let us know in the comments below!

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