At the midseason evaluation, I said it would take a crazy good end-of-season for the Habs to be drafting in this section of the draft. I think an Eastern Conference Final appearance for the second-youngest team in the league would qualify as such, so this becomes the section of interest for the Canadiens and their fans.
When evaluating picks from numbers 20 to 50, it is worth noting that they are quite unpredictable. Teams fall in love with players and that means a weird pick or two sends a whole list off the rails. These are the most likely to be available for the Habs, but they are by no means a limitation on who they “should” select.
#25 – Maddox Dagenais
Quebec Ramparts (QMJHL) – C
Start of season rank: 40 Midseason rank: 32
Son of former Hab Pierre Dagenais, Maddox doesn’t really play like his dad. At 6’4, Maddox skates well and works hard although there are some reported consistency issues. He ended the season with 62 points in 62 games in the Q. Adding to the intrigue around Dagenais are mixed reports around where he intends to play next season. The Q is fine, but Penn State made a strong push to get him on board. How will teams alter their view of the prospect if he switches to the NCAA? The potential for him to become an impactful power forward at the next level will be interesting to many teams; the ability to deliver it regularly might push some away.
#26 – Mathis Preston
Vancouver Giants (WHL) – RW
Start of season rank: 7 Midseason rank: 17
He’s small, he’s fast, he finds ways to attack the middle of the ice and he’s electric with the puck. He ended the season with 44 points in 46 games although the missed time due to injury obviously hurt his rank here. He plummeted down draft boards all over in the early parts of 2026 when he wasn’t playing, but a strong seven points in five games with Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky has teams paying attention again. I feel strongly that one team will be all over this pick and he won’t make it this far.
#27 – Tommy Bleyl
Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) – RHD
Start of season rank: NA Midseason rank: NA
Moncton were aggressive in pursuit of a young defenceman who only played a handful of games in the USHL the season prior. Enter Bleyl, who took the Q by storm this season all the way to winning the Defenceman of the Year award as a rookie. Bleyl was on no one’s draft radar to start the season, so the fact that he’s even considered for the first round is a testament to his incredible year. The young American right-shot defenceman scored 81 points including 68 assists in 63 games this season. He figures to play one more season in the Q before heading over to Michigan State, so he’s not necessarily thinking about a jump to the show anytime soon. As a smaller, offensive-minded player, he’s a pass for the Habs, but he should be a fun player to follow regardless.
#28 – Juho Piiparinen
Tappara (Liiga) – RHD
Start of season rank: 20 Midseason rank: 19
At 6’3, his contributions are not measured by his three points in 28 games in Liiga. His defensive reads and gap control are off the charts, and he’s been a steady contributor in a Men’s league at his age. He didn’t show that well in the Juniors as the pace appeared to hamper his ability to make sound decisions with the puck, but he should find himself well within the parameters of the first round with his big frame and his abilities to shut down opponents once he gets used to the pace of the game around him. Should the Canadiens ultimately decide to trade David Reinbacher to fetch an established NHL player, this player is a no-brainer if he makes it as far as 28th.
#29 – (Y)Egor Shilov
Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) – C
Start of season rank: 32 Midseason rank: 27
The offensive IQ of this player is off the charts as shown by his 82 points in 63 games. At 6’0, he should use his size more than he does. However, the skills that he shows to win puck battles such as his stick work and feet movement are likely more reproducible at the next level than many. He is a constant threat off the rush and in the small area game. Critics question his work ethic as he tends to take shifts off. He’s committed to Boston University for 2026-27. The talent is there, but can he find the maturity to bring his game to the next level? This would be an intriguing prospect for the Habs in my opinion.
#30 – Jack Hextall
Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) – C
Start of season rank: 21 Midseason rank: 29
Hextall’s numbers really popped in the USHL this season as he scored 58 points in 59 games. His calling card is puck distribution as his offensive vision is well above average along with his ability to lure a defender close to open lanes around him. He’s a relentless workhorse in chasing the puck and creating mistakes from the opposition. At an even 6’0, this is a player who got more attention the more the season moved along, but he’ll be in tough as a depth player for the Michigan State Spartans next season. I think a higher-ranked centre will remain available for Montreal and be a priority over Hextall.
#31 – Marcus Nordmark
Djurgardens IF (SHL) – LW
Start of season rank: 15 Midseason rank: 20
The 6’2 winger has only played eight games in the SHL where he’s scored one point. His junior stats popped, though, as he put up 38 points in 25 games there. The young sniper is said to be a risky pick as his defensive game needs considerable work. The London Knights own his CHL rights, and I wonder if the team that ultimately takes this gamble will try to get him over to North America to work on said aspects of his game on a small ice surface. I’m not sure an enigma of a sniper is a great pick for the Habs, but this late in the round, taking a chance to unlock the offensive tools that are there could make some sense for them.
#32 – Markus Ruck
Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) – C
Start of season rank: NA Midseason rank: 60
Call me crazy, but I’m not entirely enamored with a player slotted as a maybe first-round pick starting to call his shots in requesting to play with his brother before he’s even selected to the NHL. Markus is the playmaking twin and put up a whopping 108 points in 68 games after a modest rookie season. The question is whether this was a product of him coming of age, or simply the product of an offensive juggernaut team. Will he get his wish and play with his brother? Could the Habs potentially snag Liam at 28 and force teams to make a decision on Markus throughout the second round? I don’t see it happening, but stranger things have happened, I guess.