With the Stanley Cup Playoffs nearing their end, that can only mean one thing: draft day is almost upon us.
Following a strong season that saw the Montreal Canadiens make a run to the postseason, general manager Kent Hughes and his staff own the pick No. 17 in the 2025 NHL Draft. However, when the Canadiens acquired Sean Monahan from the Calgary Flames in August of 2022, they also took on the Flames ' first-round pick in 2025. The Flames' failure to qualify for the postseason and land on pick No. 16 from the draft lottery solidified that the pick will be headed to Montreal, meaning the Canadiens own back-to-back selections in the first round of the upcoming draft.
With picks 16 and 17 owned by the Canadiens, comes plenty of options. Not only does Hughes and his staff have the opportunity to add two prospects back-to-back into an already loaded prospect pool, but given the fact that the Canadiens are coming off a surprising appearance in the postseason, Hughes could look to fast-track the rebuild. It is unlikely that the Canadiens will move both first-round selections, but could at least one of them be packaged for some NHL-ready talent? Let's look at potential prospects the Canadiens could select at both 16th and 17th overall, as well as who the Canadiens could look to acquire if they do indeed decide to trade away one of the picks.
Possible first round selections for the Canadiens
This year's draft class is heavy with centres, which is great news for the Canadiens because it is no secret that the team lacks depth at the position. However, the bad news is that most of the sought-after centreman prospects could be gone when the Canadiens are called up to the stage. A prospect who falls into that category is Carter Bear.
Carter Bear
Bear's name has been linked to the Canadiens throughout much of the season in draft rumours. However, following a season that saw Bear collect a staggering 40 goals and 42 assists in 56 games, he may have raised his stock enough to be taken off the board before the 16th pick.
Bear is arguably the best centreman in the 10-20 range of prospect rankings, a big reason why he is seen by many as the most realistic centreman option for the Canadiens in the first round. The 6-foot-tall centreman can do everything down the middle of the ice; he is an incredibly talented playmaker who can score at will. Bear also plays a strong two-way role, so opponents always pay attention when he hops over the boards.
Bear has strong top-six potential and could be a pivotal piece in the Canadiens' search for centre depth. However, the possiblities that Bear is taken before 16th overall or the Canadiens choose to put their trust in 2024 first round pick Michael Hage to solve their centreman concerns remain very real. In such case, could the Canadiens shift their focus to winger from Quebec?
Justin Carbonneau
Justin Carbonneau has been widely linked to the Canadiens in the middle of the first round, partially because his birthplace is Levis, Quebec. It is no secret that the Canadiens and their fans love their Quebec-born players. But more importantly, Carbonneau has the potential to be a long-term solution on the wings in Montreal.
Although the Canadiens have the likes of rookie Ivan Demidov entering the fold on the wing full-time, dynamic top-six wingers are still lacking. Carbonneau sure does have the potential to fulfill that need.
Carbonneau took a massive step up in his draft year with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL. He tallied 46 goals and 43 assists in just 62 games this past season, showcasing his elite talent and dynamic playmaking. The speedy winger could prove to be just what the Canadiens need as they continue to load up on forward prospects in hopes of contending in the near future.
Carbonneau fits the Canadiens' needs and the franchise's longstanding culture. Most draft experts expect him to be available when the Canadiens arrive at pick No. 16, but the question is, will Hughes and his staff call him to put on the sweater?
Kashawn Aitcheson
The Canadiens have plenty of young defencemen in the organization, which is why the past two possible selections mentioned have been forwards, but can a team really have too many of them? It feels like defenceman is an unlikely selection in this year's first round for the Canadiens, especially given that this year's batch of first-round talents is forward-heavy. However, if they choose to make a selection at both picks 16 and 17, a defenceman becomes all the more likely. Kashawn Aitcheson could very well end up being the prospect that the Canadiens land on if they decide to target the blueline.
At 6'1, Aitcheson is a force to be reckoned with for opposing forwards. The left-shot defenceman is not afraid to use his body; he loves to throw himself at opponents flying around the ice with their heads down. Once he gets to the NHL, it won't be long before players make it a point to keep their heads up when Aitcheson is on the ice.
His time with the Barrie Colts of the OHL was impressive, mostly because of his offensive development. Aitcheson has always been a big checking defender with a huge shot, but following his 2024-2025 season with the Colts, he found his offensive game, scoring 26 goals and adding 33 assists, all career highs in the OHL. Aitcheson is a defender with real offensive upside, but he will need to work on his discipline once he hears his name called at the 2025 NHL Draft. He had an astounding 88 penalty minutes last year. However, that is less than the 126 minutes that he spent in the box in the season prior.
The first NHL player that comes to mind when creating a scouting profile on Aitcheson is long-time offensive defenceman Brent Burns. If Aitcheson can continue to hone his offensive game while remaining steady and solid defensively, a Burns-type player would be welcomed on the Canadiens' blueline.
Could the Canadiens trade one or both of their first round picks?
Although the past season did not resemble a rebuilding year for the Canadiens, this team is very young, and even with one of the best prospect pools in the league, Hughes and his staff could use every first-round prospect they can get their hands on. While still being far from contention, using both first-round picks on prospects would be highly beneficial, but this year's magical run to the postseason could have put the rebuild into first gear.
With a second-line centre being the most visible hole in the Canadiens' lineup, it would be no surprise to see them target a top-six centre in the trade market. Luckily for the Canadiens, the class of pending restricted free agents this offseason is stacked with centremen. Could Hughes utilize his first-round picks to create a package to acquire one of these great players? Here are three pending RFAs the Canadiens could target.
John-Jason Peterka
The Buffalo Sabres forward is reportedly unhappy with the team's direction and could be moved out before signing a new contract in Buffalo.
John-Jason Peterka is coming off his third full season in the big leagues since being drafted in the second round by the Sabres in 2020. Peterka has improved in each season since being drafted, but he took a significant step up this past year, tallying 27 goals and 41 assists for a career high 68 points. Peterka has plenty of experience on both the wings and down the middle of the ice. The big playmaking forward has the potential to be a seamless fit into the Canadiens' top six.
Marco Rossi
The Minnesota Wild have made it clear to teams that Marco Rossi is available for trade. The Canadiens have not been named as a team that has inquired about Rossi at this moment, but things could change.
Rossi is a much smaller player than Peterka which could be something that scares the Canadiens away, but nonetheless the skill Rossi brings to the table is certanliy noticeable. Rossi had 24 goals along with 36 assists for 60 points this past season, all career highs. At 23 years of age the best is yet to come for Rossi, and as his time in Minnesota is nearing its end, expect the Canadiens to atleast poke around the situation.
Mason McTavish
Mason McTavish may be the most unlikey of the three. Given the Anaheim Ducks' current cap situation al, signs point to the former third overall pick resigning in Anaheim. However if the Ducks do decide to move on from McTavish, many teams, including the Canadiens would be all over him.
McTavish has struggled to stay healthy throughout his first three seasons in the NHL, but when he is on the ice, he is an absolute game-changer. He has shown elite playmaking ability and the skill to create scoring chances for himself. He would undoubtedly revitalize the Canadiens' second line.
The future is bright in Montreal
No matter what Hughes and the Canadiens decide to do at the draft, they are in a fantasic postion. Two mid first round picks back to back after one of the most supsring seasons in recent memory. Now will Hughes decide to keep both picks and add two prospcts to an alreadt stacked pool? Or will he try to package one or both picks into a player that can help the Canadiens win games next season in hopes of progessing foward, buliding off their playoff appernace.
No one is quite sure what the Canadiens will do at the 2025 NHL Draft as only time will tell. But one thing is sure: the Canadiens can only go up from here, its an exciting time to be a Habs fan.