HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[JeffreyLFC]

I've been around HF for long enough to remember the whole Justin Jokinen situation. I'm very weary of those magic prospects that look amazing of a few videos against inferior, much smaller competition. I'd need to know a lot more about that Prokhorov kid before I get excited.

Or Hugh Jessiman. IYKYK

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Don’t think Reschny is a Bobrov/Gorton type of pick. Go back to their days with the Rangers, they just rarely pick skilled 5’10 guys, especially in the 1st round. Leave that to the Sabres, who keep floundering because of it.

They tried it with Mesar and look how that turned out. Either they boom or they are useless. I think Bobrov and the gang know we have a good core. Now it’s to add sure-fire players that compliment them.

Guys like Spence, Hensler, Lakovic are more their type.

Mesar is nothing like Reschny though.

 

[Kennerback]

Or Hugh Jessiman. IYKYK

Valid criticism. But there's no comparison in the skating. Huge Specimen moved like an old truck. Prokhorov's skating is on another level.

 

[Schooner Goon]

Sooner rather than later one would think draft classes will be impacted, so much kids that probably have it in their DNA would never know because they just come from families that can't afford 10-20k a year on one kid's hobby

They already have been impacted big time in Canada. So many over ambitious parents are spending a fortune on high profit based spring hockey, clinics all year around during both the hockey season and offseason. Go into any local rink that's open in the summer time during a weekday and you have hockey entrepreneurs running semi-private clinics that cost $100+ per kid per hour. So many kids who can't afford to keep up with the Joneses's leave hockey before they hit puberty. It has a major impact on Hockey Canada who loses out on so many natural athletes rather than the rich kid who plateaus at 12 years old relative to his peers thanks to his daddy's cheque book. Hockey's a late developing sport and it's a shame how many kids with potential aren't around the game anymore when the late bloomers break out.

I've been around HF for long enough to remember the whole Justin Jokinen situation. I'm very weary of those magic prospects that look amazing of a few videos against inferior, much smaller competition. I'd need to know a lot more about that Prokhorov kid before I get excited.

I was around here too. The difference is we're getting legitimate reports that Prokhorov is climbing some NHL teams lists. Justin Jokinen was a US high school hockey player whose pre-draft status was simply a fabrication of HF Boards posters who stat watched but never saw the kid play a single shift.

 

[montreal]

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

The jury is still out on his hockey abilities, but he's definitely a top notch natural athlete.

 

[Seb]

The jury is still out on his hockey abilities, but he's definitely a top notch natural athlete.

Welcome to Columbus, Mason!

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

Could the Habs put something together to get that Utah 1st???

My dream combo, outside the first tier, of Martin and Mrtka, has faded.

Next combo up:
Bear and Hensler. Possible one or both are out of reach barring a trade up.

After that, Cootes and Hensler.

Still on the fence wrt Reschny, but I should watch more vid.

Freaking Martin shot upwards more than I thought possible. Won’t get past Dubas and might be grabbed earlier. Sigh.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

We have 3 third rounders and 2 forth rounders this year, I'd be fine with us taking a chance on Katzin AND Veilleux. They're both tiny but the skill is legit and we have nothing to lose.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

We have 3 third rounders and 2 forth rounders this year, I'd be fine with us taking a chance on Katzin AND Veilleux. They're both tiny but the skill is legit and we have nothing to lose.

What do rounds 1-3 look like for Habs in 2026?

Saw a mock that has Habs with one 1st rounder.

 

[tooji]

Scouts love these multi-sport athletes these days too - the latest vogue in youth athletic development.

 

[PavelBrendl]

Haven't dug into draft eligibles a ton so far this season but a few players I think are interesting in the mid-1st: Aitcheson, Bear, Lakovic, Cootes, Ryabkin. Spence to a lesser degree cuz I don't think there's a ton of upside but I think he's a future NHL role player at the least.

I would also fully support trading up to land Brady Martin. He's got middle 6 terror written all over him. The Habs need depth and he's the kind of player that plays a massive role when it matters. Same reason 50-point Sam Bennett is going to break someone's bank only July 1st.

 

[rien]

Scouts love these multi-sport athletes these days too - the latest vogue in youth athletic development.

Specializing in one particular sport at a young age is a recent thing. Before, every young kid played multiple sports into their late teens frequently.

A lot of studies actually show that it better for their development to play multiple sports.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

What do rounds 1-3 look like for Habs in 2026?

Saw a mock that has Habs with one 1st rounder.

Our very own @habsprospects has us covered

NHL Entry Draft Picks - Habs Prospects

habsprospects.com

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

With two 2nds and three 3rds, I’d have no problem with the team trading up to get Bear. Gallagher 2.0 as Gally’s career starts winding down. Heck he already wears #11

I like Carter Bear, he's going to be a two-way NHL winger and score 20-30 goals and 45-60 points every year for 15 years. With energy and sandpaper

 

[Shutdown]

Mans Goos is an unfortunate name - in the same realm as Tugnutt

 

[McGees]

Scouts love these multi-sport athletes these days too - the latest vogue in youth athletic development.

Post Draft interview
"We drafted Deaner cause of, not only his hockey play, but he is elite at beer-pong. He could have done either professionally but are happy he chose hockey."

 

[Nevins]

2025 NHL Draft: Three Specific Targets on the Radar of the Montreal Canadiens?

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

View attachment 10460222025 NHL Draft: Three Specific Targets on the Radar of the Montreal Canadiens?

Unless a really good player drops, I'm pretty mid on the Habs' potential targets. Could grab a neat player, but I'm not likely to pound the table for most.

I would, however, be slightly disappointed if they selected Aitcheson.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Id punch my TV if we drafted Wang before the 4th round

 

[montreal]

Id punch my TV if we drafted Wang before the 4th round

doubt he makes it to the 4th round with that size.

 

[WeThreeKings]

doubt he makes it to the 4th round with that size.

I could get more than 2 assists playing at the OHL level. Draft a 6'4 figure skater who has never played hockey before and its the same thing. Hes not a hockey player.

 

[McGees]

Would be very happy with a Bear + Aitcheson draft.

 

[Doublechin]

Would be very happy with a Bear + Aitcheson draft.

Bear, Aitchenson, Reschny, Cootes, Prokhorov

Unless there's no major fallers that make it all the way down like a McQueen, I'd be satisfied with two of the players above

I wouldn't take two of Cootes/Reschny because I feel I'd need to compensate the lack of size with the other picks, Bear is slightly bigger or barely but plays a bigger game

 

[DemidovSZN]

Bear, Aitchenson, Reschny, Cootes, Prokhorov

Unless there's no major fallers that make it all the way down like a McQueen, I'd be satisfied with two of the players above

I wouldn't take two of Cootes/Reschny because I feel I'd need to compensate the lack of size with the other picks, Bear is slightly bigger or barely but plays a bigger game

It’d be nice if they could find a way to get Zonnon too. He’s the type of player they’re rumored to want.