The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of room to manuever when it comes to their drafting strategy and prospect list. You never want to waste a pick, but the Habs are in a position where they could take a swing for the fences. If they hit on the choice, the Canadiens are set up for an historical run through the late 2020s and early 2030s. However, if they miss, the prospects and draft capital is still there to not be affected too much. If Montreal enters the 2025 NHL Draft with that mindset, Roger McQueen is a player they have to circle.
McQueen has been a player many circled as a potential Canadien since the beginning of the season. Joshua Rosa wrote a piece on our site in November, contemplating the idea of McQueen to the Habs. However, the issue is he was out of the lineup for a month when we published that piece, and he still hasn't played a game since.
It isn't ideal to miss 80% of the season in your draft-year. We seen it happen last year when Cayden Lindstrom missed most of the season, which was a name many had circled to potentially be a Habs pick. It didn't work out, as the Columbus Blue Jackets took Lindstrom No. 4 and allowed Ivan Demidov to fall to the Canadiens.
In hindsight, that was the best thing that could have happened for the Canadiens, as Demidov is breaking records in the KHL and Lindstrom hasn't played a game yet this season as he battles more injuries. Ironically, the addition of Demidov for the Habs is part of the reason that taking a swing on another injury-plagued power forward is in play for the Canadiens.
Canadiens' draft capital gives them options
The Canadiens have a prospect list that is the envy of most every team in the league. They also have nine picks in the first four rounds of this year's draft, and six more in 2026. Montreal has depth at every position, and one more home-run swing could put their prospect pool over the top.
McQueen is the perfect option for the Canadiens if he falls to them at the draft. Many will stay away from him after the questions surrounding Lindstrom for the Blue Jackets. However, as sources told RG.org, McQueen could have some of the best upside if the injuries end up being a non-factor.
“McQueen’s combination of size and skill could make him a force in the NHL. He isn’t afraid to use that size, and if he can put on some more weight and fix his durability, he could be a productive power forward.”
The most interesting quote was from a source that said McQueen would've been a first-overall pick for some scouts if he played all season.
""If McQueen had stayed healthy all season, scouts would have stood on tables to argue at the draft meetings that he goes number one in June.”"Anonymous Source
Maybe the McQueen pick doesn't work out for whoever takes him at the draft. However, if it does have a good ending and the Canadiens take that risk, it'd be a massive home run and addition to the young core.