Riley Kidney

July 2024 – Riley Kidney’s first AHL campaign did not go as hoped, as he struggled to find a good spot for himself in the Laval Rocket lineup. 20 points in 65 games did not fulfill his offensive potential, and his defense and physicality were also lacking. While he has grown to be 6-0 and 176 pounds, he is struggling to fight off professional pressure. He is still very young, and will have several years to develop before trying to crack the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup. Aaron Itovitch

May 2023 – The ‘Adam Nicholas Effect’ is no more evident than in Riley Kidney. Who was an entirely perimeter playmaker with serious defensive question marks has become an impressively projectable middle-six winger. He attacks the middle much more, and he has become more creative in evading big hits into the boards. His slight frame will make him an easy target in the AHL next season (most likely), but it will allow him to display exactly what type of pro player he can become. If he hits, he could become a very fun player for Habs fans, or a fantastic trade chip with the Canadiens’ impressive quantity of middle-six forwards. Aaron Itovitch

April 2022 – Kidney has produced very well in his D+1 season in the QMJHL on an excellent Acadie Bathurst team, building upon his hot streak in last year’s playoffs. Kidney is a talented playmaker with good hands and skill. He has scored his fair share of highlight-reel goals this season, but concerns about his projectability remain. While Kidney has the skill to exploit QMJHL-level defence, he relies upon the extra time and space he will not have at the pro level. He is also pushed to the perimeter in the offensive zone on almost every possession. Struggling to attack the middle against the weak defences of the QMJHL demonstrates Kidney’s biggest hurdle in transitioning his offensive skill and production to the next level. However, if he is able to adapt his game and learn to attack the middle with his hands and his playmaking abilities, he has the upside to turn into a creative second liner. Sebastian High

July 2021 – Kidney had a very productive regular season for Acadie-Bathurst with 38 points in 33 games, he then followed it up with an even more impressive playoffs notching 17 points in nine games. In the combined 55 points he score in the regular season and playoffs, 41 of them came at even strength or shorthanded. This bodes well for a player who will likely get more power play opportunity in his draft+1 season. Kidney was drafted in the second round at 63 overall. Pablo Ruiz