Montreal Canadiens 2021 Draft Class: Where are they now?

It's officially draft month! For June, we will look back at some of the draft classes to see how the Habs front offices of the past did with their selections. It's too early to examine some of Kent Hughes' first few draft classes. Therefore, we will start with the last class from the Marc Bergevin era.

The 2021 draft class began with some early controversy when the Habs took a player who asked not to be drafted due to issues while playing hockey in Sweden. However, along the way, they found a few steals that could factor into the lineup sooner rather than later.

Let's take a look at the Montreal Canadiens 2021 draft class.

Round 1

31st Overall - Logan Mailloux

Mailloux renounced himself from the draft, stating that he didn't want to be drafted and wanted to focus on his reconciliation and growth after an incident in Sweden. Mailloux received a fine for secretly taking photos of a young woman while engaging in sexual acts.

The Canadiens decision to draft Mailloux was controversial, leading to the Habs' announcement that Mailloux wouldn't be invited to rookie or training camp. The Habs signed Mailloux to a three-year, entry-level contract before the 2022-23 season, with the owner Geoff Molson citing that Mailloux was a "good kid who made a big mistake and we're going to help him along and we'll see how it all turns out."

The NHL declared Mailloux eligible to play before the 2023-24 season, but Mailloux started the year in Laval. He made the AHL All-Star Classic and finished the season with 14 goals and 33 assists in his rookie year. The Canadiens recalled Mailloux before the season's final game, as he registered an assist in his debut against the Detroit Red Wings.

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.

Round 4

113th Overall - William Trudeau

Trudeau is coming off his second season in the AHL. The offensive defenseman registered 27 points in 60 games in his first season, but the emergence of Mailloux hindered his opportunity this past season, as he regressed to 24 points in 70 games. The Canadiens have a long list of defensive prospects, and Trudeau faces an uphill battle to get NHL time in this organization.

Round 5

142nd Overall - Daniil Sobolev

Sobolev played his final season in the OHL in 2023-24. The defensive defenseman has a long way to go to make the NHL, as he returned to Russia for next season. Sobolev will start in the VHL with Kostenko's old team Khimik, and will likely spend the rest of his career in the Russian system.

150th Overall - Joshua Roy

The steal of the draft for the Canadiens and possibly one of the best steals overall when it's all said and done. Roy became a force in the QMJHL after getting drafted in 2021, recording 119 points in 66 games the following season. He followed that by recording 19 points in 14 games for Canada at the World Juniors, winning back-to-back gold medals. Roy performed well this year in his first AHL season with 32 points in 41 games, then tallied nine points in 23 games at the NHL level. Expect Roy to become a full-time Hab for the 2024-25 season. He comes in at No. 8 on Tyler Major-Mcnicol's list of the top U24 Habs players.