The Kraken have quite a few capable Cs with Wright, Beniers, Stephenson, Eyssimont, Hayden, Schwartz and as of recently Veleno…

You gotta think someone will be traded before/at the draft, no?

Beniers 2-way game could be a great fit and insulate Demidov

All right, I’ll give ‘er a spin.

My mock of the first round:

*Disclaimer: now that this is posted this pretty much guarantees KH trades the pick(s) within 24h

Hard to fathom getting in the top 5 without giving away something they aren’t willing to.

I agree, but to my earlier point, accumulating better assets that can be traded can get you the pieces you want later.

Drafting a truculent player that projects as a 4th liner over a middle-6 F would be a mistake.

Take the small talented F now and flip him later to address areas of need

I also don’t believe he’s a priority target, but I would much prefer they take a swing on a skilled albeit small guy, than a bigger player that has a much more limited ceiling.

I.e. I’d be much more onboard with Kindel’s selection than say Daniil Prokhorov, at 16, for the sake of getting bigger

Canadiens 2025 Draft Target: Elite Playmaker Ben Kindel The NHL Entry Draft is a week away, which means Montreal Canadiens fans will not have to wait much longer to discover general manager Kent Hughes’ master plan for the near future. If they opt to keep ...

Could the @canadiens.com be tempted by elite playmaker Ben Kindel with one of their first round picks?

The diminutive center climbed most public boards this year with a stellar season. Here’s what he could bring to the table, via MTLhockeynow

montrealhockeynow.com/2025/06/20/m...

I think there’s a bigger adaptation coming from Euro hockey than the WHL, but that’s just my two cents.

While he may never be a power forward, I’m confident the way he plays and attacks will be even more effective once he fills out and puts it together.

I’d agree with that - he may not become a power forward nor a big hitter, but he could very much become difficult to contain if he learns to use his frame effectively.

I would think this very much can be improved upon at only 18.

There’s a long runway for him to be a top-6 player, and he’s already shown great improvement in other areas - so why not this one?

Canadiens 2025 Draft Targets: The Intriguing Lynden Lakovic The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is a stone’s throw away, and the Montreal Canadiens hold two first-round picks they may use to bolster their prospect pipeline. Among the players that might be available for t...

A big winger with big upside!

Could Kent Hughes and Co. nab Lynden Lakovic at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft?

Here’s what he would bring to the @canadiens.com prospect pool.

Via MTLhockeynow

montrealhockeynow.com/2025/06/12/m...

Justin Carbonneau could be an interesting catch for the @canadiens.com in the first round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

And it has nothing to do with his last name.

Here’s what makes the talented winger an enticing draft target, via MTLhockeynow

t.co/D04ffxYxA6

Missed 14 games last season, played every game the previous two.

Agreed, Habs will be looking at younger targets, but it may be trickier than expected - they might need a Plan B. This above scenario would fit that bill.

I’d think you could get Geno for less. Only one year left, 39 yo…

Crosby here, Crosby there… He’s gonna be pricey (IF traded). But what if the 2C @canadiens.com get from the Pens is Malkin?

1 year left, 50pts in 68 GP last year. Short term solution enabling Demidov to integrate the NHL. LH shot…

Interested? What would you offer?

Every year a couple of really interesting players slide.

Last year, Demidov and Buium were players that could’ve/should’ve went higher in the top 15.

Let’s see if MTL snags one this year!

Yep, seems logical indeed

Agreed - I think if they end up picking it’s because they haven’t found a trade partner, as they’ll try hard to bring immediate help

With a bit of luck, Carter Bear might be available to the @canadiens.com in the upcoming NHL draft.

So what does he bring? And should his injury scare the #GoHabsGo brass?

My latest via MTLhockeynow

t.co/fLORD93BqR

This is why we can’t have nice things 😂

sknots

I’d be OK with long term too, forcing Hage on wing at firstand allowing him plenty of time to develop.

McT is just as much a project/gamble IMO

I don’t see any team trading a bonafide young 2C… acquiring team will have to either take some risk or overpay (in FA or by giving assets)

Byfield was reportedly on the market at the TDL for immediate help (to my surprise as well)

Doubt NJ would part with him + his profile is too similar to Suzuki’s.

I’d want a C with more offensive upside, at the sake of the “200-foot game” (to a degree)

I like Hage, but
- MTL needs a 2C next season (Hage is still 1-2 years away)
- I’m not fully convinced he’ll be a C in the NHL, especially as a rookie.

So realistically, he’s at least 3 years away from being a 2C, if he becomes an NHL C at all

Personnally would try to
- trade for Byfield or McT
- sign Ekblad
- draft Mrtka to insulate RD for years

Would pursue Dobson as well but I’m really interested in Ekblad (UFA) for RD, as Dobson is gonna be expensive in terms of assets

Nah, keep doing it ferda

Would love for someone younger, with lots of upside (à la McTavish or Byfield)