Montreal Canadiens 2021 Draft Class: Where are they now?
By Nate Duffett
Round 2
63rd Overall - Riley Kidney
The first of back-to-back picks, Riley Kidney has yet to play a game at the NHL level. Kidney played his first professional season in Laval in 2023-24, registering 20 points in 65 games. Kent Hughes awarded Kidney a contract after he recorded 22 points in 13 playoff games in his overage season.
64th Overall - Oliver Kapanen
If you've been paying attention to this site over the past month then you're familiar with Oliver Kapanen. Kapanen led Finland in scoring at the 2024 World Hockey Championship with six goals, proving he can play with some of the best players in the world. Kapanen may not be ready yet, but the lack of center depth in the Habs organization makes him a good bet to be the next NHL debut from this class. It will likely be Kapanen or the sixth-rounder we'll meet soon who will next don the historic jersey in a regular season game.
Round 3
87th Overall - Dmitri Kostenko
Kostenko took a step back in 2023-24 after spending the year with Kunlun Red Star in 22-23. Kostenko's Russian team Khimik Voskresensk didn't feel like he was ready for the KHL after getting just four points in 52 games with Kunlun. He had five points in 20 games in the VHL with Khimik, before getting traded to Yugra and bursting out with 20 points in 22 games.