Canadiens 2025 Draft Targets: Smooth Skating Logan Hensler

We continue our deep dive on potential Montreal Canadiens first-round picks by discussing a prospect who has dropped considerably in recent draft rankings, defenceman Logan Hensler.

Once you’re done reading Hensler’s profile, don’t forget to check out our deep dives for 2025 NHL Draft eligible prospects Justin Carbonneau, Carter Bear, and Lynden Lakovic.

Logan Hensler, 18, Defenceman, Shoots Right, 6’2″, 196 lb. University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

(32 GP, 2 G, 10 A, 12 PTS)

There was a time when Hensler’s name was mentioned as a potential top-five draft pick, but his stock has cooled significantly down the final stretch of the season.

We could judge this to be a major red flag, which means Hensler is to be avoided at all costs, however, that would be an overreaction given that he’s still considered a first-round pick by most outlets, with Bob McKenzie listing him 11th in his most recent consolidated rankings. Chris Peters, an NCAA expert that produces excellent work, has Hensler listed at 20th overall.

Hensler uses his excellent mobility in all three zones, and when he jumps into the play he has an affinity for opening up passing lanes thanks to his high-end skating and elite playmaking.

LETHAL. 🎯

Melly (@mehlenbacher_37) SNIPES home his third of the year!

🍎: Logan Hensler & Weston Knox pic.twitter.com/IFzHmfhhg0

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 22, 2025

On that note, it’s impossible to ignore he finished the year with just 14 points, especially since that number is likely to drop once he faces NHL competition. When you first watch Hensler play, you get the impression that he’s the type of defenceman that could register his name on the scoresheet on a nightly basis, but there are times when he’s held back by his limited vision, which can lead to turnovers deep in the offensive zone.

Fortunately, you can teach a defenceman not to hold onto the puck for too long.

As for his defensive acumen, Hensler avoids physical play, relying on an active stick to disrupt plays. He produced an impressive eight takeaways per game in the NCAA last year, the calling card of a smart defenceman.

He likes to keep direct opponents to the outside, and much like Montreal Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle, Hensler is not afraid of absorbing hits while he’s retrieving pucks. That may seem like a negative aspect of his play, but the Habs do need more defencemen who are willing to take a hit to make a play, especially if the play is a controlled exit.

Logan Hensler (ranked 11th on Bob McKenzie’s board) is a mobile RD who can play an effective shutdown style but hasn’t overly explored his offensive game in the past years.

Flashes of on-puck skill are apparent in rushes like these where he uses his feet to create entries: pic.twitter.com/tYLMQklEyd

— Sebastian High (@high_sebastian) January 23, 2025

Is Logan Hensler A Fit With The Montreal Canadiens?

Some have suggested Hensler would be an ideal defensive partner for Lane Hutson, likely due to the fact that he looked quite comfortable alongside Cole Hutson at the 2025 World Junior Championship, a tournament that concluded with a well-deserved gold medal for the USA. For what it’s worth, Hutson led Team USA in scoring with 11 points in seven games, whereas Hensler was limited to just one assist.

I’ll be perfectly frank, I’m not sure his ice time with Hutson’s brother has any relevance to his potential impact with the Canadiens.

The good news is that Hensler is a right-handed defenceman, but I’d submit that looking for a defensive partner for Hutson in the draft is a strategy that lacks foresight, especially since Hensler will need plenty of refining before he’s NHL ready, whereas Hutson is already a dominant presence in the league.

It would be the equivalent of hiring a jockey who needs a few of years to get up to speed, while also owning the fastest horse in the stable, consequently wasting your thoroughbred’s best years.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the Canadiens should not consider drafting Hensler, but we do have to be realistic about his long-term potential. I’m not convinced he has what it takes to eventually ascend to the top pairing with the Habs, but he does project as the type of defenceman who is very likely to make the NHL in a second or third pairing role. His ability to shut down the rush is particularly intriguing for the Canadiens, as it’s currently an area of weakness.

In that vein, he does seem like a relatively safe pick, especially when we consider that there’s a run on defencemen in every draft, which would limit the options for the Canadiens should they want to bolster their defensive prospect cupboard. Despite his lack of physicality, Hensler does have the type of frame that is highly sought after in the NHL. This takes on even more importance when we remember Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has stated he wants to improve the average size of his lineup as long as he doesn’t forgo talent for truculence.

We should also note that the Badgers were not exactly the top team in the NCAA this year, and we all know that it’s difficult to produce while playing for bad teams.

Great article as usual Marc. One thing to keep in mind as well is the fact he was playing on a mess of a team at Wisconsin. He has a ton of tools to become a solid top 4 d-man in my opinion.

— Mathieu Gervais (@MatGervais4) June 17, 2025

With the 16th and 17th overall picks, the Habs have an opportunity to hedge their bets to a certain extent if they do have an opportunity to pick the Minnesota native.

All Montreal Canadiens draft target information via Elite Prospects and the NCAA.