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5 Canadiens prospects who could make the team this season

Al Sciola
Al Sciola
|
Jul 17 2024, 2:55 pm
5 Canadiens prospects who could make the team this season
David Kirouac/USA TODAY Sports

We’re still far from rookie camp but the Montreal Canadiens could see some new faces join the permanent lineup next season.

After loading up on draft picks for the past few seasons, the Canadiens’ prospect pool is among the deepest in the entire NHL. As a result, more than a few players appear ready to make the jump for good.

With that said, here are five players who could be NHL-ready come next season.

Lane Hutson

2023-24 stats (Boston University – NCAA): 15 G, 34 A, 49 PTS, 38 GP

Star Boston University defenceman Lane Hutson did not have to wait long to make his NHL debut as he got a pair of games in with theĀ Canadiens this April.

The 20-year-old, selected 62nd overall by Montreal in the 2022 Draft, concluded his NCAA career with a Hobey Baker Award nomination and a gold medal with Team USA at this year’s World Juniors.

Smooth skating and offensive prowess are just some of the positive attributes the 5-foot-10 defender brings to the ice, allowing him to stand out among the Habs’ deep defensive prospect pool.

“He’s a dual threat who is equal parts shooter/distributor. Hutson is elusive with the puck on his stick,” Cap Friendly wrote in its December report on Hutson. “He has elite escape ability from his zone. He’s also not shy defensively.”

Perhaps most importantly, the Michigan native looked comfortable on a pairing with veteran blueliner David Savard during the final two games of Montreal’s 2023-24 campaign, netting two assists in the process.

As a result, Hutson remains Montreal’s most exciting and promising prospect, holding a real shot at becoming a lineup staple this fall.

David Reinbacher

2023-24 stats (Laval Rocket – AHL): 2 G, 3 A, 5 PTS, 11 GP

Selected fifth overall by Montreal in 2023, defenceman David Reinbacher did not have the best season with Swiss club HC Kloten. But to be fair, it wasn’t easy to excel on a club that hired three head coaches while trying to avoid relegation.

Now that Reinbacher’s in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s AHL affiliate, management can better assess his skill level.

And so far, the transition to North American hockey has looked smooth for the 19-year-old Austrian, who netted a goal and an assist over his first three AHL games.

And while it’s been a small sample size, it’s worth noting that the 6-foot-2 blueliner is also a +6 in the +/- column.

“Top pairing NHL upside continues to be possible in time,” wrote NHL scout Jason Bukala, who observed Reinbacher at last year’s training camp.

Logan Mailloux

2023-24 stats (Laval Rocket – AHL): 14 G, 33 A, 47 PTS, 72 GP

If there’s one word to describe Logan Mailloux’s first season with the Laval Rocket, it was “phenomenal.”

Taken by the Canadiens in the first round of the 2021 Draft, Mailloux transitioned from OHL to AHL at the beginning of the year. Luckily for the Rocket, the adjustment was virtually seamless with Mailloux picking up points early on.

He also found chemistry with Arber Xhekaj during his respective AHL stint. Playing on a pairing with the imposing player helped the Belle River, Ontario, native use his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame to his defensive advantage.

His offensive firepower made him the club’s lone AHL All-Star Game participant back in February.

Working hard all year paid off for the 21-year-old, who earned an NHL call-up for the final game of the year. He made it count, logging an assist to earn his first career point.

Owen Beck

2023-24 stats (Peterborough Petes, Saginaw Spirit – OHL): 33 G, 47 A, 81 PTS, 57 GP

As one of Montreal’s most NHL-ready forward prospects, Owen Beck has already seen some action with the Canadiens, joining the team for one game at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Since returning to the OHL, though, the 6-foot tall centre has exploded offensively, exceeding his previous season point totals by more than 30 points.

Beck, 20, seems equally comfortable shooting the puck and setting up teammates.

“He’s a powerful skater with a good mix of crossovers and gets to his top speed quickly. He uses that speed to back defenders up and even rush right past them on some sequences. Beck uses that speed to provide constant support at every corner of the ice,” EliteProspects wrote of Beck in its 2022 Draft Guide.

“He’s the ultimate play connector, always offering his teammates a passing option and showing a great knack for linking defence to offence.”

With a little NHL experience already under his belt, Beck could turn his next NHL tenure into something more permanent.

Joshua Roy

2023-24 stats (Montreal Canadiens – NHL): 4 G, 5 A, 9 PTS, 23 GP

We hesitate to call forward Joshua Roy a prospect as he suited up for more than a quarter of Montreal’s 2023-24 season. But since he’s under 21, let’s keep the title on him for now.

Coming off a dominant 99-point junior campaign in 2022-23, Roy joined the Rocket last fall.

Finding success early on, the French-Canadian winger earned his first NHL call-up in January after logging 30 points in 34 AHL games.

While there was a learning curve, the 20-year-old continued to produce at the highest level before sustaining an injury in late March.

Many expect Roy to continue his progression by starting the season in the NHL, but it remains uncertain whether he will earn a spot in the top six or begin the year on the sidelines.

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