Habs sign Bryce Pickford

The Habs have signed one of their prospects from the draft back in June, announcing on Wednesday that they’ve signed defenceman Bryce Pickford to a three-year, entry-level contract.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In the release, the team noted that the deal will begin in 2026-27.  Technically, future contracts can’t be signed until March so this deal officially begins this season but will qualify for an entry-level slide, meaning he won’t burn the first year in 2025-26.

The 19-year-old was a third-round pick by Montreal, going 81st overall and he is the first player from their 2025 draft class to sign.  Pickford wasn’t selected in his first year of eligibility but a breakout showing last season on an offensively-loaded Medicine Hat (WHL) team got him on the radar.  After putting up 17 points in 65 games in his draft-eligible year, Pickford had 20 goals and 27 assists in just 48 outings last season.  Then, in the playoffs, he added 24 points (13-11-24) in 18 outings plus two more tallies in four Memorial Cup contests.

With the Tigers losing several key contributors (including projected top 2026 pick Gavin McKenna) this season, one of the storylines for Pickford going into the year would be the repeatability of that breakout performance.  That question was quickly put to rest as through 31 games this season, he has 25 goals and 19 assists.  (Remember, he’s a defenceman, not a forward; that type of production from a blueliner is rather rare.)

That strong start was enough to get Montreal’s management to get him signed early.  He’ll finish up this season in junior on a Tigers team that looks poised to have a long run in the playoffs once again.  If they’re eliminated before Laval finishes up, Pickford would be eligible to play for the Rocket down the stretch.

As Pickford turns 20 in April, he will be eligible to play full-time in Laval next season.  That’s the likeliest outcome for him as while his offensive performance has been dominant, his defensive game will need refinement as is often the case for most young blueliners.