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Before the season started, I expected to find one if not two draft selections for the Canadiens in this section of the draft. The Habs will need to improve drastically to get here while the Flames have returned to Earth after a hot start and might well end up in this section. With a bit of luck, that could turn to pick-11 for the Flames, meaning that it would be surrendered to the Habs as part of the original Sean Monahan deal.
#9 – Malcolm Spence
Erie Otters (OHL) – LW
A big winger that uses his size and plays a responsible game. He was picked as high as fifth in one preseason ranking, so he should be an impactful player and should definitely be considered in this part of the draft. I like that he is said to play with significant jam, too.
#10 – Caleb Desnoyers
Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) – C
His presence as a sure-fire top-10 pick is likely to be challenged as he started the season with some injury trouble after a great Hlinka-Gretzky tournament. Great hands and creativity. A player I’m definitely keeping tabs on as a Habs fan.
#11 – William Moore
USNTDP (USHL) – C
A big skilled centre who could be the answer down the middle. He seems to represent everything the Habs are hoping Kirby Dach becomes. With that in mind, it might be easier to select Moore and move Dach to the wing permanently.
#12 – Victor Eklund
Djurgardens (Allsvenskan) – LW
Great hands, under six feet, plays with intelligence but might lack finish at the next level. I hope the Canadiens pass here.
#13 – Charlie Trethewey
USNTDP (USHL) – RD
Likely the best two-way defender this draft has to offer, Trethewey is off to a booming start to the season so expect him to move up the ranks at the mid-season mark. If Montreal is worried about the long-term effects of David Reinbacher’s injuries and they don’t land Logan Hensler, this might be an excellent selection.
#14 – Jake O’Brien
Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) – C
A tall pivot that needs to add some muscle. He’s a great playmaker who counted 51 assists in his D-1 season. He seems like a Hage carbon copy to me, but if they really want that player type on the roster, they could easily select O’Brien with the understanding that both are mid-first-round picks and only one is likely to reach their full potential.
#15 – Jakob Ihs-Wozniak
Lulea U20 (Swedish J20) – LW
A tall lanky winger that some have inside the top-10. That’s likely to change as the season progresses as he hasn’t had a great start to his draft year.
#16 – Cole Reschny
Victoria Royals (WHL) – C
A diminutive center that plays with a great motor and displays great skills. Again, many of the internet scouts that focus mostly on ceiling are likely to vault this player higher than where he ends up being selected. For the Habs, I don’t think this is a great fit.
2025 Draft Early-Season Preview: Round 2
2025 Draft Early-Season Preview: 25-32
2025 Draft Early-Season Preview: 17-24
