2025 Midseason Draft Preview: Picks 1-8
When the season had yet to begin and management spoke of being “in the mix”, most fans believed it. With that belief came the idea that they were done talking about these high picks. Team performance on the ice has dictated that we shouldn’t be so fast to dismiss another high pick this season. Before the 4 Nations break, their play looked more like October than January which has returned many fans to this section of the draft instead of keeping an eye on the playoff race. Just don’t tell Martin St. Louis just yet. Here are the top eight prospects in the draft; where the Canadiens end up selecting in here is anyone’s guess at this point.
#1 – Matthew Schaefer
Erie Otters (OHL) – LD – Start of season rank: 4
The not quite consensus top pick in this year’s draft finds himself there thanks to a fantastic Hlinka-Gretzky tournament that has been followed by 22 points in 17 games with the Otters. It hasn’t been an easy season for Schaefer as he’s battled mono to start the year and now a separated shoulder that torpedoed the Canadian team at the World Juniors. Montreal won’t pick here unless they have terrible luck on the rest of the season followed by crazy good luck in the lottery.
#2 – James Hagens
Boston College (NCAA) – C – Start of season rank: 1
Hagens has 32 points in 31 games, so he hasn’t done much to drop the top spot, it’s more that Schaefer has earned the spot. He’s not a big player but no one is questioning the skating or the playmaking ability here. Again, not happening without crazy luck, but he would complete the picture down the middle for the Habs in a definitive way. They would likely select him over Schaefer for this reason alone.
#3 – Porter Martone
Brampton Steelheads (OHL) – RW – Start of season rank: 2
A 6’3 power forward who scored over a point per game in the OHL last year and has 87 points in 47 games. He’s compared to Corey Perry in terms of playing style, so we know he gets to the dirty areas all over the ice. He’s the only player with an outside chance at competing with Hagens and Schaefer for the top spot in this draft. Guilty admission: He remains the player I would personally covet the most from this entire draft class for the Habs.
#4 – Michael Misa
Saginaw Spirit (OHL) – C – Start of season rank: 7
The last time the Habs had a chance at an OHL exceptional player (Wright), they passed on him; if given the chance, they should not do so this time. Misa has done everything expected of someone with that status and has even surpassed expectations this season as he’s put up 113 points in 54 games. As was stated in the preseason rankings, the strong season has pushed him into the top five, but he remains the top seed in the second section of this list as the top three appear to be untouchable.
#5 – Victor Eklund
Djurgardens (Allsvenskan) – LW – Start of season rank: 12
Eklund saw his rank rise after an excellent World Junior tournament. He’s also scored 28 points in 39 games against men so far this season. He’s got great hands, is under six feet, barely, and plays with intelligence all over the ice. Questions about his ability to finish plays have been quieted so far this season. With a brother (William in San Jose) already in the league, the pedigree that follows him is also a boost for his draft profile.
#6 – Anton Frondell
Djurgardens (Allsvenskan) – C – Start of season rank: 3
Injuries have derailed his season so far, but he’s got size and plays a complete game, drawing comparisons to Leo Carlsson. While he is a point producer, he doesn’t appear to be a game-breaker. He’s played excellent hockey since his return to action, scoring 22 points in 27 games in a men’s league in Sweden. It’s hard to see the Habs picking Frondell considering the players around him on this list and them continuing to search for players that will put them over the top offensively.
#7 – Roger McQueen
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) – C – Start of season rank: 6
At 6’5, he had scouts salivating despite a lack of consistency in his game. He’s got all the tools at his disposal and teams were lining up to watch him play. An injury has wiped out that chance after he scored 11 points in eight games. Much like Cayden Lindstrom last year, the package the player comes in has kept him higher in the rankings despite the injury concerns. He might fall in the final rankings, but that might not mean much when teams get to select.
#8 – Caleb Desnoyers
Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) – C – Start of season rank: 10
76 points in 49 games has solidified his position inside the top eight on almost every ranking. Some scouts believe that the play he’s shown in all three zones might have teams ranking him higher than this slot. He’s got great hands and creativity. Should concerns about his playing league make him slip, he becomes a possibility for the Habs. A player I’m definitely keeping tabs on as a Montreal fan. Wouldn’t it be something if they walked away from the 2025 draft with their two top selections coming from the QMJHL? I prefer spreading around the picks, but exceptions can always be made.
Previous Rankings
9-16
17-24
25-32
Second Round