Three World Junior Championship player's for Kent Hughes to watch: #2 - Porter Martone

The Montreal Canadiens hold two draft selections for the 2025 NHL Draft, slated for June.

For that reason, regardless of where they finish in April, it would be in management's best interest to keep their eyes on the World Junior Championships. There are some excellent prospects, some just 17 years old, and they could be nice additions to the Canadiens. Kent Hughes has his American connections, but watching the tournament on hand and seeing all the best international guys is a huge opportunity.

It is still early in the hockey season, so there are no draft lists that are complete; between January and March so much changes. And come April some players drop off, while others emerge and become high draft picks. But there are some early rankings, featuring a duo of Team Canada 17-year-old's - Matthew Schaefer and Porter Martone.

Martone, 18, is the captain of the Ontario Hockey League's Brampton Steelheads. A native of Peterborough, Ontario., Martone has posted 56 points through 26 games. He trails only Michael Misa (61), a projected top five pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

During the broadcast of Canada's tournament opener, Gord Miller touched on who Martone models his game after. Brady Tkachuk is his favourite player, and fortunately for Martone, he has the physical traits to be a dominant forward. I hate to admit it, but Tkachuk is a franchise player and a player like that would be a tremendous addition to the Canadiens.

Matthew Schaefer, 17, is a defenseman for the Erie Otters of the OHL, and he projects to be a minute munching number one defender. Schaefer's skating and processor are drive by his immense hockey knowledge. I heard a comparison to Hockey Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup champion Scott Niedermayer.

Montreal doesn't need another left-shot defenseman, but a player like Schaefer, a franchise defenseman, doesn't come around very often. I think if Montreal has an opportunity to select him and pass on him, it will haunt the organization in the future. If you have too many good defenders, you evaluate and trade from a strength.

Change to three players to watch series

Because Schaefer suffered an injury, his status going forward is unclear, he collided hard with the net after a scoring chance. I still believe that he is going to be a high draft pick come June, possibly even first overall. I just don't know what his impact will be, presumably, if he comes back healthy that changes things.

Because of this, I decided to reduce the series down to just this one and the one about James Hagens. The pair played together, so I think that is another reason why it works with a bit about each player. Schaefer and Martone combined for two points, one goal and one assist, both recorded by the defenseman.

I think the defender has the edge over the big winger, but depending on Martone's development, if he develops into anything like Tkachuk, that is a great pick. I think 31 teams would add Tkachuk to their team in a second. With Schaefer, though, he is as close to a sure bet cornerstone, number one NHL defenseman as it gets.

Good luck, Kent, this is just another important pick for the future of the organization.