The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season! 

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Read past 32 series stories here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

Make sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/montreal-canadiens/

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The Montreal Canadiens took the next step in development during the 2025-26 season, advancing all the way to the Eastern Conference Final before falling short against the Carolina Hurricanes. While it was a disappointing end for the young team, their future has never looked brighter, and there will likely be plenty more chances to advance to the conference final and potentially go further than they did in 2026. 

The Canadiens didn’t do a ton to upgrade their depth in the off-season, with one of the glaring holes being at second-line center. However, the organization could believe that a combination of Oliver Kapanen, Kirby Dach, and Alex Newhook can hold down the fort until Michael Hage is inevitably ready to take his place next to Ivan Demidov. If that belief fades, Kent Hughes could always use Hage as bait to acquire the forward they are looking for. 

Until then, the Canadiens will hope that Jakub Dobes’ playoff form carries over, the young Habs steadily improve, and the current roster climbs closer to another Stanley Cup Final berth. 

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NHL Draft Recap

Round 1, 26 overall: Gleb Pugachyov, RW

Pugachyov is the type of prospect the Canadiens needed in their talent-loaded system. One of Montreal’s biggest postseason shortcomings was a lack of in-your-face style, which Pugachyov brings in abundance. He may not have been the biggest point-producer in the MHL as a draft-eligible player, but the Habs already have enough of that in their lineup. If you’re looking for the type of player who can flip a playoff series with a big hit or wear down an opposing team with an endless motor and physical game, Pugachyov is your man. Just because he hits like a truck doesn’t mean his offense can’t develop into someone who can play near the top of the lineup and could give the Canadiens a Tom Wilson-like presence once he comes to North America. 

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Round 2, 57 overall: Timofei Runtso, D

Runtso was one of the draft’s top overagers, as he went undrafted in 2025 after spending the year in the NAHL. He moved to Victoria in the WHL to replace Keaton Verhoeff and did a superb job, recording 44 points in 68 games in what could’ve been a much better offensive year relative to what he was projected to be. Runtso has good size, puck-moving ability, and a desire to contribute on offense, making him a potential late-bloomer for the Canadiens as he continues to develop. 

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Round 3, 93 overall: Cooper Cleaves, D

Cleaves was a bit more of a stretch for the Canadiens as a player who other teams passed over in two straight drafts. He already has a year under his belt in the NCAA, where he showed everyone at Dartmouth College that he has the desire and drive but has some work to do on his overall skill level. Cleaves is highly physical and loves to get involved in the play, but an ability to pick his spots and settle into more of a style suited to his skillset is something he will have to figure out. 

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Round 4, 117 overall: Brayden Klimpke, D

The Canadiens’ run of defense continued with Klimpke, and it was clear that they were starting to show they had a type with the Saskatoon Blades product. He is undersized at 5-11 but has the heart of a lion and always finds a way to make an impact. Klimpke is a boom-or-bust prospect, but his boom could be huge. 

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Round 6, 189 overall: Parker Trottier, LW

The Canadiens finally went back to the well with a forward in the sixth round and took a player similar to their first forward selected in the draft. Trottier has some offensive tools, but he projects as a checking forward with inconsistent bursts of offense. 

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Round 6, 190 overall: Wesley Royston, RW

The same player doesn’t show up every night, but Royston at his best is an above-average skater with a good shot and an ability to change games with his physicality. Unfortunately, he fell to the sixth round because you don’t get that every night from the 6-4 forward. 

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Round 7, 221 overall: Jean-Samuel Daigneault, D

Another physical threat for the Habs, this time out of the USHL. The 6-3 defenseman is one of the most aggressive players in the class but won’t give teams much help when he gets the puck on his stick. 

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Round 7, 224 overall: Tyler Deakos, RW

Another highly physical player but one who possesses a lethal shot. Deakos is the type of player who could impress in the WHL for the remainder of his junior career, but his ceiling in the pros is a bit more questionable.

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Off-Season Moves

Incoming

Hunter McKown (Trade from CBJ, signed to a one-year contract)
Brett Berard (Trade from NYR, signed to a one-year contract)
Maksymilian Szuber – 1 Year, $850,000
Sasha Pastujov (Trade from ANA)
Bogdan Konyushkov – 2 Year Contract (Entry-Level deal, drafted in 2023 by MTL)
Reilly Walsh – 1 Year, $850,000

Outgoing

Luke Tuch (Trade to CBJ)
William Trudeau (Trade to NYR)
Sean Farrell (Trade to ANA)

Re-Signed

Ivan Demidov – 8 Year, $9.15 million AAV
Jakub Dobes – 3 Year, $5.358 million AAV
Kirby Dach – 1 Year, $3.6 million
Jared Davidson – 1 Year, $850,000

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In the System

Risers

Alexander Zharovsky, RW

The Russian winger was a force in his rookie KHL season and started making waves as another potential high-skilled forward for the Canadiens. The hype only grew at season’s end when he came to the city to train with Ivan Demidov, making fans wonder if his debut was approaching quicker than anticipated.

Michael Hage, C

Hage’s hype train hit a bit of a snag when he announced he was staying at the University of Michigan for another season, but the Canadiens are willing to wait for someone who they expect to center their second line very soon. Will Hage be in that role for the 2027 postseason once the Wolverines’ season ends?

Bryce Pickford, D

One of the best goalscorers from the point that the CHL has seen in a long time. 45 goals in 55 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers last season was quite the accomplishment, but the Canadiens will now have to see it in Laval. 

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Fallers

Filip Mesar, RW

The problem with having such a deep prospect pool is that some players eventually get passed by. Mesar’s 27 points in 71 games in his second AHL season has him falling down the prospect rankings. 

Owen Beck, C

Beck received an extended look with the Canadiens last season, appearing in 15 games. However, his one goal over that span was not anywhere near the offensive output they expected. Two points in 27 career NHL games and an 11-point drop in his AHL totals from the previous season have Beck reeling. 

Vinzenz Rohrer, C

Rohrer’s acceptance of his loan back to Switzerland has fans puzzled about his place in the organization. He burst onto the scene with two points in his AHL debut last season, but will now head back home and risk falling further down the organizational depth chart. 

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Likely to see NHL action

David Reinbacher, D
Jacob Fowler, G
Michael Hage, C
Adam Engstrom, D
Owen Beck, C

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Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Montreal Canadiens prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Michael Hage
2. Alexander Zharovsky
3. Jacob Fowler
4. David Reinbacher
5. Gleb Pugachyov
6. LJ Mooney
7. Bryce Pickford
8. Adam Engstrom
9. Owen Beck
10. Florian Xhekaj
11. Hayden Paupanekis
12. Timofei Runtso
13. Filip Eriksson
14. Vinzenz Rohrer
15. Owen Protz
16. Aatos Koivu
17. Alexis Cournoyer
18. Luke Mittelstadt
19. Logan Sawyer
20. Tyler Thorpe

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Make sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/montreal-canadiens/

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Final thoughts

The Canadiens will be in a tough spot in an improved Atlantic Division this season, but it’s hard to see them take a step back unless Jakub Dobes struggles to replicate his success. The good news is that Jacob Fowler could be ready to take the reins, and the fun young Canadiens offense should keep improving. With the growing rivalries against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, a possible resurgence of the Toronto Maple Leafs to rekindle one of the oldest rivalries in sports, and the Florida Panthers back in the mix, the Canadiens’ season could be one of the most interesting to watch in the entire league. 

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