Last week, we took an in-depth look at the top-ten Montreal Canadiens prospects and there's no question that the team's front office, led by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, have done a terrific job at building for the future over the past four years. From selecting Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson in 2022 to Ivan Demidov in 2024, the Canadiens have a number of impact players they can rely on for many years to come.
Whether it be at the forward position, on the blue line or in between the pipes, the Montreal Canadiens are well positioned to be a contender in the National Hockey League for at least the next decade.
36 days separates us from the start of the 2026-27 season and today, we're going to take a look at the top-ten players under the age of 25 in the Montreal Canadiens organization heading into the new campaign.
Top-Ten U25 Players in the Montreal Canadiens Organization
1) Lane Hutson (22-years-old)
There shouldn't much of a surprise to anyone who comes in at number one on my list - Lane Hutson. The 22-year-old continues to impress everyone with what he's been able to accomplish at the NHL level, especially from an offensive standpoint.
In his second full campaign in the National Hockey League, Hutson registered 78 points (12 goals, 66 assists), while suiting up in all 82 of Montreal's regular season games. Hutson tied the Canadiens franchise record for most assists by a defenseman in a single season with 66, the same mark reached by Larry Robinson in 1976-77. He also set a new NHL record for most points by a defenseman in their first 150 games.
The sky is the limit for Lane Hutson. With the way his game is evolving, a 90 or even 100-point season can't be ruled out. Next season, he'll surely set a new Montreal Canadiens franchise record for most points by a defenseman in a single season, which is currently held by Larry Robinson (86).
2) Ivan Demidov (20-years-old)
When Ivan Demidov fell to the Montreal Canadiens, who were selecting fifth overall, back in 2024, everyone was ecstatic. The pure skill that Ivan Demidov has was something that the Canadiens' forward group has been lacking for decades. He came as advertised in his brief stint with the club at the end of the 2024-25 season, along with the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Expectations were high for Demidov's rookie season in the National Hockey League and he did not disappoint. In 82 games, the Sergiyev Posad, Russia native had 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists), which led all rookies in the NHL. He followed that up with nine points in 19 playoff games, helping the Canadiens reach the Eastern Conference Final. At the end of the season, Demidov finished runner-up for the Calder Trophy, picking up 120 of a possible 198 second place votes.
3) Juraj Slafkovsky (22-years-old)
There aren't enough words in the English language to describe how important Juraj Slafkovsky is to the Montreal Canadiens, both on and off the ice. After back-to-back 50+ point campaigns, many were wondering if that was Juraj Slafkovsky's ceiling and if he would hover around that mark for the entirety of his career. Well, he proved those people wrong very quickly.
The Kosice, Slovakia native managed to pick up 73 points in the regular season, along with 12 points in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff contests. Slafkovsky became just the ninth Slovakian player in NHL history to record 30 goals in a single season, joining Peter Stastny, Anton Stastny, Peter Bondra, Zigmund Palffy, Miroslav Satan, the late Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik and Marian Hossa. There's no question in my mind that Slafkovsky will get to 30 goals again this season, but he'll find a new level to his game and surpass the 80-point threshold.
4) Michael Hage (20-years-old)
Michael Hage is the first non-NHLer on my list so far and in my eyes, is undoubtedly the Canadiens' top prospect heading into the 2026-27 season. Instead of signing his entry-level contract with the Canadiens after the 2025-26 season came to a close, Hage decided he wanted to return to the University of Michigan for a third year, a move that drew mixed reactions from fans.
While I can certainly understand the frustration from the group of fans that want to get Hage signed and into the organization as soon as possible, returning for a third season in the NCAA isn't the end of the world. Hage is going to have an opportunity to be the first line center and be on the first power play unit this coming season with the University of Michigan. For the Canadiens, another year in the NCAA gives them the chance to further evaluate if they see the Oakville, Ontario native as a true center in the long-term at the NHL level or if Hage will be more suited on the wing.
5) Alexander Zharovsky (19-years-old)
2025 second round pick Alexander Zharovsky rounds out the top-five on my top-ten U25 players list. The 19-year-old turned heads in his first season in the Kontinental Hockey League with Ufa Salavat Yulayev in 2025-26. Zharovsky finished the season with 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) in 59 games and was named KHL Rookie of the Year, following in the footsteps of Ivan Demidov, who won the award the year prior.
An expanded role awaits Zharovsky with Ufa Salavat Yulayev during the upcoming season and he has a real shot at hitting the 50-point mark as Ufa looks to improve on their second round exit in the playoffs this past spring. Depending on how far Ufa Salavat Yulayev make it in the Gagarin Cup Playoffs, if they do qualify, there's a chance Montreal Canadiens fans could see Alexander Zharovsky with the big club next spring.
Rounding Out the Top-Ten
The final five names on my list are all players that have either made an impact or will make an impact on the NHL roster in the coming years. Number six is the future of goaltending in Montreal Jacob Fowler, while defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov comes in at number seven. 2026 first round pick Gleb Pugachyov sits eighth on my list heading into the 2026-27 season.
A pair of defenseman cap off my list, with 2023 fifth overall pick David Reinbacher sitting at number nine, while Bryce Pickford, fresh off a 45-goal, 83-point campaign with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League, comes in at number 10.
- 6) Jacob Fowler (21-years-old)
- 7) Bogdan Konyushkov (23-years-old)
- 8) Gleb Pugachyov (18-years-old)
- 9) David Reinbacher (21-years-old)
- 10) Bryce Pickford (20-years-old)