The Montreal Canadiens went big at this year's NHL Draft, focusing on size and physicality to bolster their roster. Their strategy was clear: add some serious muscle both on the blueline and upfront.
Saturday's seven-round marathon, a staple of the draft weekend, saw plenty of action, including some heartwarming moments. The Pittsburgh Penguins nabbed Markus Ruck with the 39th overall pick, reuniting him with his twin brother, Liam, who was picked the day before. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings added Victor Roy to their lineup, following in the footsteps of his brother Max, who joined the team two years ago.
The Canadiens were busy wheeling and dealing, making a notable trade to move up in the second round. They sent picks 61 and 125 to the Carolina Hurricanes to snag Timofei Runtso.
This 6-foot-2, 186-pound right-shot defenseman, ranked 48th among North American skaters, had a breakout season with the WHL's Victoria Royals, tallying 44 points in 68 games. Overlooked in last year's draft, Runtso's impressive performance rocketed him up the Central Scouting list.
Continuing their quest for size, the Canadiens selected Cooper Cleaves at number 93. This 6-foot-3, 203-pound defenseman from Dartmouth College is known for his two-way play.
He has a connection to the Canadiens, having attended their development camp last summer and played alongside their goaltending prospect Emmett Croteau. Cleaves also shares a personal history with Martin St-Louis’ family, adding a layer of familiarity to his selection.
At pick 117, Montreal opted for Brayden Klimpke, a 6-foot, 174-pound left-shot defenseman, who posted 46 points in 68 games with the Saskatoon Blades. Klimpke, an alternate captain last season, is praised for his toughness and leadership qualities.
The Canadiens then turned their attention to forwards with picks 189 and 190. They chose Parker Trottier, grandson of NHL legend Bryan Trottier, and Wesley Royston.
Parker, at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is a power forward known for his hard-nosed play and effective forechecking. Royston, standing at 6-foot-4 and 186 pounds, brings rare speed for his size and a penchant for delivering big hits.
In the seventh round, Montreal made a strategic trade, sending pick 223 to the Los Angeles Kings for a future seventh-round pick in 2027. With pick 221, they selected Jean-Samuel Daigneault, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound defenseman noted for his physical play. Finally, pick 224 saw them take Tyler Deakos, a 6-foot-1, 174-pound right winger.
Summing up this year's draft for the Canadiens: size and aggression were the name of the game. GM Kent Hughes emphasized that the team is not just seeking talent but also addressing specific needs. If trades don't pan out to tackle their size concerns, this draft class is poised to make a significant impact down the line.
In Other News...
Canadiens Just Sent A Massive Message About Michael Hage
Michael Hage keeps surfacing in the Canadiens bigger-picture conversations because Montreals interest in him has never been just about one prospect season. Darren Dreger reported on TSN 690 that around the NHL trade deadline, Kent Hughes was not willing to move the young center in a deal for Robert Thomas, a stance that fit the broader way Montreal has handled its top young talent as the rebuild moves forward.
Hages decision to return for a third NCAA season adds another layer to the debate, especially with Montreals run to the conference final changing the backdrop since those deadline talks. The result is a prospect profile that has only gotten more interesting from the Canadiens point of view, and it leaves the open question of whether his value is rising fast enough that Montreal will keep treating him as a core piece rather than a possible chip. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Just Made A Roster Call Fans Will Debate Into July
The Canadiens spent the day sorting through a familiar June task, issuing qualifying offers to a batch of restricted free agents as they begin shaping next seasons roster. Brett Berard, Zachary Bolduc, Kirby Dach, Jared Davidson, Sean Farrell, Hunter McKown, Maksymilian Szuber and Arber Xhekaj all got their offers, a sign Montreal still sees enough value in keeping those rights in house while the front office keeps its options open.
One name stood out for what was missing. Joe Veleno, who played 61 regular-season games and nine playoff games for Montreal this season, did not receive a qualifying offer and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. For a team trying to balance depth, flexibility and future upside, it is the sort of decision that can look minor on paper and still spark a pretty lively debate among fans all the way into July. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Linked To The Kind Of Center Move That Changes Everything
The Canadiens search for a true second-line center has been one of the more persistent threads around the team, and it is exactly the kind of need that makes outside ideas get attention in a hurry. David Ettedgui, who works as both a player agent and analyst, floated a speculative trade concept that would send a high-end left-shot center to Montreal, with Vancouver retaining salary to help make the contract fit.
It is important to separate the idea from any real momentum, because there is no indication Montreal is actively pursuing a deal. Still, proposals like this tend to stick around because they speak directly to the Canadiens roster issue and to the kind of swing-for-the-fences move that can alter a teams ceiling if the right opportunity ever presents itself. [Read more 🡒]