Habs Daily: Canadiens NCAA & CHL Prospects, Mooney, Defence

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on the weekend.

Montreal Canadiens News

The recent rule change in the NCAA will have an impact on some Montreal Canadiens prospects, including Owen Protz and Hayden Paupanekis. While the change is bound to attract a lot of talent to the American collegiate ranks, it should lead to more available ice time in the Canadian Hockey League. [Canadiens CHL Prospects Impacted By Junior Hockey Rule Change]

Prospect L.J. Mooney is one of the most talented young players in the system. The fact that he also trains with his cousin, Logan Cooley, adds yet another interesting angle to his development. [Canadiens Prospect Rankings – The Electric L.J. Mooney]

Habs prospect LJ Mooney training with his cousin Logan Cooley pic.twitter.com/zrZuJLhOt4

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) August 31, 2025

By adding Noah Dobson to the mix, the Habs immediately improved their blue line by leaps and bounds. And now that Lane Hutson has a decent amount of NHL experience under his belt, the defensive situation seems much healthier than in the previous season. However, like most defensive squads, there’s still a lot of work to be done before we can consider it an area of strength for the Montreal Canadiens. [Canadiens Areas In Need Of Improvement – Defence]

ICYMI: The Habs added a few prospects who are set to play in the NCAA via the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, including the highly talented L.J. Mooney. He will join top prospects such as Michael Hage in the collegiate ranks. [Montreal Canadiens Prospects Set To Play In NCAA]

National Hockey Now Network

When Matt Caldwell joined the Florida Panthers in 2014 under new owner Vinnie Viola, the franchise was in what is commonly referred to its dark era. [Florida Panthers]

The Boston Bruins aren’t expected to be a particularly strong team this season, whether that be in the physical realm or digital. EA Sports NHL 26 is set to release on September 12. Based on the game’s initial player ratings, it doesn’t paint a particularly pretty picture of the B’s. [Boston Bruins]

Opportunity will knock for numerous Pittsburgh Penguins this season. For some, the chance will be to ensconce themselves in the NHL firmly. For others, it will be their chance for their first full season in the big show. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has set up a training camp that might resemble a battle royal with as many as 20 forwards who have been or could be in the NHL. [Pittsburgh Penguins]