Three Specific Targets on the Radar of the Montreal Canadiens?
Who will be the players targeted and eventually selected by the Canadiens in the 2025 Draft?
No one can say with absolute certainty who the Canadiens will select in the 2025 NHL Draft. However, the name Justin Charbonneau is consistently linked to the Habs. The frequent appearances of Donald Audette and Nick Bobrov in Blainville-Boisbriand certainly fuel speculation. Especially since several experts project this QMJHL prospect to go around the middle of the first round.
That being said, every media outlet can report its own list of targets for the Montreal Canadiens. With the TSLH Podcast, we recently did just that by identifying certain sought-after attributes (size, right-handed defenseman, center, etc.). On January 7th, my colleague Pascal mentioned names like Carter Bear, Lynden Lakovic, Radim Mrtka, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Justin Carbonneau. But what are the rumors circulating in hockey circles?
Size and gritty players
The media outlet RG.org, via writer Marco D’Amico, shared some information suggesting that three potential targets are emerging for the Canadiens’ 16th and 17th overall picks this summer. According to him, the Canadiens are particularly interested in Carter Bear, Lynden Lakovic, and Kashawn Aitcheson. The latter being the only defenseman mentioned by D’Amico somewhat contradicts the claim that Montreal is only targeting forwards in the first round.
Even though we can’t definitively say who will be picked on draft day, there’s a clear direction in terms of player profiles. Size, or gritty players. Lynden Lakovic’s size makes him an attractive option, even if he doesn’t have the typical gritty DNA. However, he shares a more concerning aspect with Carter Bear: injuries. Both Bear and Lakovic suffered significant injuries this year.
Meet Carter Bear (2025 profile)
«In terms of toughness, although the forward is not the most physically imposing, he makes up for it with relentless intensity and determination. Carter Bear’s offensive potential is one of his greatest strengths at the junior level. When projecting him forward, there may be some concerns as his frame could limit him from sustaining such a demanding style. Nevertheless, the young player has talent in all areas of the game, especially offensively.»
Meet Kashawn Aitcheson (2025 profile)
«Kashawn Aitcheson’s mobility is one of his main strengths. His smooth and powerful skating allows him to cover a lot of ground. Physically, Aitcheson doesn’t back down from any challenge. The left-handed defenseman masterfully uses his size and timing to make his presence felt on the ice. His hits are impactful and can shift the momentum of a game. His rugged play makes him intimidating for opponents, and he doesn’t hesitate to stand up for his teammates by engaging in fierce fights when needed.»
Lynden Lakovic (Draft profile coming soon)
«Lakovic keeps moving through traffic to always be available as an option. I like how he targets open space and how he protects the puck well in traffic. He uses his reach extremely well to keep the puck away from defenders during puck protection. He’s a threat with his shot, but also capable of controlling the play to open up passing lanes.» – Extract from a game report ordered on TSLH Patreon.
Possible trade incoming?
Persistent rumors point to a potential trade involving the Canadiens around the time of the draft. The names Logan Mailloux and Joshua Roy keep popping up in speculation, and of course, the two first-round picks are frequently mentioned in trade talk. But is this a realistic scenario?
“The Canadiens head into the draft with two first-round picks, and both have reportedly been made available on the trade market. However, unless there’s a clear-cut deal that accelerates the team’s timeline, all signs point to Montreal being more likely to make both picks rather than trade them,” according to Marco D’Amico.
Stay tuned, and until the draft, don’t forget to check out the prospects on TSLH, the top French-language reference! Our TSLH Prospects section features draft strategy articles and all of our scouting profiles for the players who will be drafted this summer in the NHL.
À lire: Une offre sur la table pour Joe Veleno avec les Canadiens?
