Habs Prospects
Canadiens 2nd Round Draft Options: Right-Handed Defencemen
The Montreal Canadiens own 12 picks heading into the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and though most of the attention has been given to their pair of first-round picks, it should be noted they’re also set to draft five times in the second and third rounds.
On top of the 16th and 17th overall picks, the Canadiens are also set to draft 41st, 49th, 79th, 81st, and 82nd overall.
ON TOPIC: Fan-Picked Canadiens Draft Options At 16th And 17th Overall
This gives the Habs a few different options.
They can use their extra picks to move up in the draft, sweeten the pot in a trade for an established player, or if all else fails, pick a few prospects they judge to have NHL potential.
Even though the odds of making the NHL drop significantly within the first five picks of the first round, a high-end scouting team should be able to find some semblance of value if they have enough picks in the following rounds. That’s not to say Montreal will find another Lane Hutson (62nd overall, 2022), however, they have done a pretty good job stocking up on second and third-round talent in recent years. Owen Beck (33rd overall, 2022), Jacob Fowler (69th, 2023), Adam Engstrom (92nd, 2022), and Florian Xhekaj (101st, 2023) were all picked in that range.
Montreal Canadiens RHD Options In The Second Round
By popular demand we’re going to start with a few right-handed defencemen, though I’d warn again drafting for need, especially beyond the first round. Don’t forget, if players drafted outside the first round do eventually make it to the NHL, it usually takes a few years, if not more. It’s a slower process when discussing defencemen.
By the time most of the players listed in this article are ready for the NHL, the situation in Montreal may have shifted significantly.
Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, 6’1″, 205 lb. London Knights (OHL), (67 GP, 10G, 32A, 42 PTS)
There’s a chance Brutsewicz will not be available by the time the Canadiens take to the podium in the second round. His pre-draft rankings cover a wide range, with some outlets suggesting he’ll be a late first-round pick, and others ranking him closer to the 46th to 52nd overall range.
It really depends when the run on right-handed defenceman starts. Considering there are only a few of them ranked in the first round, there’s a chance teams may panic and start the run early. Such is life when discussing defencemen in the draft.
The first thing that stands out about Brzustewicz is his silky-smooth skating. He’s not quite at Engstrom’s level, but he does open up plenty of passing options whenever he’s in the offensive zone.
He fits the bill when it comes to Kent Hughes’ preferred type of prospect, a player that combines size and talent. According to the Neutral Zone, he’s ready to take the next step from a physical standpoint, but there’s still some work to be done in that respect. Brzustewicz is great at shutting down the rush, a crucial aspect of playing defence in the NHL.
His greatest strength may be his ability to generate high-danger scoring chances from the back end, though it should be noted he was playing for one the best teams in the country, the London Knights. His heavy shot and above-average release serves him well whenever he finds open ice in the offensive zone.
Peyton Kettles, RHD, 6’5″, 205 lb, Swift Current Broncos (WHL), (53 GP, 5G, 9A, 14 PTS)
Kettles is among the taller players available at the draft, which will certainly garner a lot of attention from most organizations, including the Montreal Canadiens.
He’s a workhorse for the Swift Current Broncos, indicating that he’s already used to receiving a heavy dose of ice time in almost every situation.
His physical prowess is clear, but there are a few red flags in his game, including what I would describe as sub-par skating. His acceleration and top speed leave something to be desired.
His defensive play is excellent, with a few scouts describing him as an elite defensive presence due to an active stick and solid positioning.
Most outlets suspect he’ll be drafted somewhere between 55th and 75th overall, which means Montreal may have an opportunity to draft him with one of their third-round picks.
Max Psenicka, RHD, 6’5″, 180 lb, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), (24 GP, 1G, 6A, 7 PTS)
Psenick has the ideal frame for a professional hockey player, having played 16 games for HC Plzen earlier this season, however, he doesn’t necessarily use his imposing size to his advantage with regularity. He’s tall, but he’s also quite lanky.
My biggest hang up is that he seems to be a defenceman with an abundance of raw talent, but a clear lack of finesse.
If he’s to one day ascend to the NHL, he will have to work on his puck handling skills, though that’s to be expected when discussing young blue liners with a large wingspan.
The good news is that Psenicka does a very good job using his reach when defending the rush, and his gap-control is described as “excellent”. His tenacity is evident any time he jumps on the ice, making him a good candidate for a player who could one day evolve into a No.5 or No.6 defenceman.
Expect Psenicka to be drafted anywhere from the early second round to the later parts of the third round.
All potential Montreal Canadiens draft target statistics via Elite Prospects.
Larry Robinson also was a second round pick and Patrick Roy in the third!
In addition to those options, Charlie Trethewey, a 6’2” 200 pounder from the USDP (was penciled in as a late first rounder at the start of the season) and 6’5” 230pound teammate Carter Amico could be in the round 2 conversation. Couple big 6’5” RD options for round 3 include David Bedkowski from Owen Sound and Sean Barnhill plus the Russian 6’2 200 pounder Maxim Agofonov is in that range on several lists. Several other smaller RD options are available including Chicoutimi Alex Haung who looks destined to the third round after being considered a possible late first rounder on earlier lists.
I like the RHD thoughts. Any comment on Carter Amico? Sat out year with knee injury but a large body and was trending toward late 1st round until injury.
I can’t imagine us using all of picks #79, 81 & 82. My guess is we use #79 and trade the other two if we can. The most likely scenario is we trade them for 2026 3rd rounders with teams we expect to be lower in the standings, with the hope that they end up being better picks than #81 & 82. Those are the perfect types of picks to move to teams that really have their eyes on a player that they didn’t expect to be there, while adding something extra for ourselves either in another pick in addition to the 3rd rounder, or more likely, a better potential draft position next year. I can even see us trading one of those 3rds for a 2026 3rd and the other for a 2027 3rd. Kick the assets down the road as future trade bait when we’re a contending team looking to add final pieces at the trade deadline. My guess is we’ll use one of picks #41 & 49, and use the other one to move up in the draft a couple spots if there’s a guy we like and are worried the team or two ahead of us might also take them. I’m not expecting any blockbusters from us on draft day unless it involves picks & prospects for a 2C, but I’m not holding my breath on that. I think the decentralized draft is going to put a damper on trades. Phone calls just aren’t the same as face-to-face interaction. I sure hope this style of draft is a huge flop, and they go back to the old way of doing things.
Some might say the 2nd round is too early to draft an overage player but older players are being taken earlier nowadays. Last year the Avs drafted 21year old goalie Ilya Nabokov at #38.
Medicine Hat RD , Bryce Pickford will be in the final of the Memorial Cup for the 2nd time after his win with Seattle in 2023 . The way the 19 year old is playing he could get a lot of attention at next month’s draft .
Correction , Pickford’s Seattle Thunderbirds were in the finals of the Memorial Cup in 2023 , losing to Quebec . He and Jared Davidson were teammates .