The 2025 NHL Entry Draft was an unconventional one for the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens headed into Friday holding the 16th and 17th overall picks in the draft. For the last three seasons, the Canadiens have selected in the top-5, taking Ivan Demidov and David Reinbacher at fifth overall, as well as Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in 2022. However, Montreal made the playoffs this year. Therefore, they weren’t in contention for the draft lottery. They obtained their additional first rounder from Calgary in the Sean Monahan deal back in 2022. Despite having two first-rounders, the Canadiens didn’t make a selection in the first round. However, they did fare well on day two of the draft. Let’s recap the Montreal Canadiens 2025 NHL Draft.
Traded both First-Round Picks for Noah Dobson
The Canadiens entered Friday holding two first-round picks, but left with Noah Dobson instead. In a blockbuster deal the Canadiens traded both of their first-round picks along with forward Emil Heineman to the Islanders for top defenceman Noah Dobson. Montreal would also extend Dobson for eight years, at an annual cap hit of $9.5 million. The move addressed a need for the Canadiens on the right side, giving them a right-handed defenceman. At 6’4″, Dobson also adds size to their blueline and is only a year removed from hitting the 70-point mark.
The Montreal Canadiens Highlight of the 2025 Draft
The move makes a lot of sense for Montreal. The 2025 edition of the NHL Draft is considered to be a thin class. Outside of the top ten, there weren’t many gamebreakers available. The Islanders selected forward Victor Eklund and defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson with Montreal’s picks. Both are solid players, and many thought that Eklund would be a top-ten pick. However, the opportunity to get a 25-year-old Dobson for the next eight years far outweighs the potential of these two players or anyone else who would have been available to the Canadiens, for that matter. This marked the first time that Montreal didn’t have a first-round selection since 2008. However, the Canadiens made it worth their while, and this move signifies the end of their rebuild.
Moving up in Rounds 2 and 3
Montreal would also make a splash early on Day 2 of the draft. Right out of the gate, Montreal acquired the 34th overall selection from Carolina in exchange for the 42nd and 49th overall picks. The Canadiens used this selection to move up and grab Alexander Zharovsky. The Russian-born forward is a highly-skilled winger who stands at over six feet tall. Zharovsky put up over a point-per-game this season in the MHL, the KHL’s junior league in Russia. He also appears to have a friendship with current Habs player Ivan Demidov. Demidov was quick to congratulate his friend on social media and welcome him to Montreal following the announcement of the pick. Zharovsky is under contract for two more years in Russia, but if he gets his visa in order, he is eligible to attend Montreal’s development camp. If he lives up to his potential, he could be a fixture in the Canadiens top-six alongside his friend Demidov.
Montreal also moved up in the third round in order to select centre Hayden Paupenekis. He is known more for his 200-foot game rather than his offensive prowess. He stands at a towering 6’5 frame, which is rare for a player down the middle of the ice. If he lives up to his potential, we could see Paupenekis be a key defensive presence in Montreal’s bottom-six.
Potential Gems in the Later Rounds
Montreal would also draft some interesting names in the later rounds of the draft. It started with overage defenceman Bryce Pickford. The 19-year-old dominated the WHL playoffs with 13 goals and 24 points in 18 games to help lead Medicine Hat to the Memorial Cup. Despite being an over-ager, Pickford really came onto the scene this season and is a worthwhile bet in the third round. The Canadiens also had perhaps the steal of the draft in forward L.J. Mooney. The diminutive forward stands at only 5’7″, which is the reason Montreal was able to snag him in the fifth round. However, outside of his size, Mooney has a first-round skillset and is dynamic with the puck, has great playmaking ability, and a solid release. He has shades of current Canadiens player Cole Caufield. What stands out about Mooney is his competitiveness and willingness to engage physically, which is rarely seen for a player of his stature. He will need at least three-or-four years to mature physically before being potentially NHL-ready. However, in the fifth round, Mooney could be an amazing Gamble for Montreal.
The Canadiens made five other selections in the 2025 NHL Draft. This includes two goaltenders in Arseni Radkov as well as Quebec-born Alexis Cournoyer. Montreal also drafted defencemen Carlos Handel, Andrew Macneil, and Maxon Vig in the later rounds. Despite not having a first-round selection, Montreal made out well in this draft. They moved up to grab an exciting player in Zharovsky and a big man in Paupenekis. They also made some worthwhile gambles in the later rounds that could pay dividends in the future.
Overall Grade: B+
Main Photo Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
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