The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is almost upon us which means it’s time for our annual mock draft. As is tradition, we’ve picked the entire first round. In addition, we’ve also picked Montreal’s next five selections after the top round.

By the time the draft rolls around to Montreal’s picks at 16 and 17, there will be a temptation to take some big swings on toolsy players.  But there are also safe and dependable players to take in that range.  Logan Hensler falls in the latter category but will merit serious consideration if he’s still on the board when the Canadiens are picking.

There is a thought that throwback, old-school defencemen aren’t as important in today’s NHL.  But Kashawn Aitcheson is a combination of that old-school player with enough skill to be an impactful player for an NHL team down the road, warranting consideration at Montreal’s two first-round selections if he’s still on the board.

Vinzenz Rohrer has taken a slower development path than a lot of prospects but it has worked well for him and he was rewarded for his efforts Saturday with the team announcing that they’ve signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Eastern Conference Final was going to be a challenge for Laval, going up against a much older group in Charlotte. But few saw things playing out the way they did with the Rocket losing handily in the first three games of the series before a heart-breaking late goal in the fourth game ended the series in a sweep.

After three tough losses to start the Eastern Conference Final, Laval was playing to keep their playoff hopes alive on Tuesday. They had their best game of the series by far but a late goal from Jesse Puljujarvi gave Charlotte a 3-2 win and the series sweep.

June 1st at 5 PM ET is a time of some significance in the NHL as it results in teams losing the rights to some of their unsigned prospects.  This was the case for the Habs who have officially relinquished the rights to goaltender Joe Vrbetic.