2026 Draft Preview: Midseason 9-16

This section of the draft could be interesting for two reasons for Habs fans, and neither is that appealing. The first possibility is that the Canadiens end up picking here after a horrendous return from the Olympics. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. The second scenario is if a player from this list has slipped lower to where Montreal realistically figures to be selecting. Neither is ideal, but the Habs have a pretty good track record of hitting it out of the park with players that fall down the rankings onto their laps, so maybe they pick another one here.

#9 – Carson Carels 

Prince George Cougars (WHL) – LD 

Start of season rank: 14 

Carels is a defensive beast who logs nearly 30 minutes per game for the Cougars. Despite an awesome WHL season where Carels has scored 52 points in 45 games, his calling card for the next level remains his defensive presence and his ability to shut down the best the opposition has to offer on a nightly basis. His ability to do so regularly in the WHL seems to have overshadowed his struggle to do so when it mattered at the World Juniors. While this is certainly an excellent player profile, his position on the ice and in the draft likely means he’s not a consideration for the Canadiens. 

#10 – Caleb Malhotra 

Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) – C 

Start of season rank: 19 

The 6’2 Malhotra has made a seamless transition from the BCHL to the OHL where he’s put up 71 points in just 54 games as a rookie. He’s definitely more of a project pick as teams are still learning so much about him as the OHL is far more scouted than the BCHL. As a rookie in a junior league, what scouts admire and think is projectable right now is how he handles the details all over the ice. His overall awareness has been excellent, as have been his numbers on the power play and the penalty kill. If he doesn’t hit a wall playing far more games than he’s accustomed to, there’s a real chance he challenges Tynan Lawrence for the prestige of being the first pivot off the board. This screams Jesperi Kotkaniemi to me, so it’s a pass for the Habs.

#11 – Ryan Lin 

Vancouver Giants (WHL) – RD 

Start of season rank: 8 

Much smaller than the RD featured before him, Lin stands 5’11 and he has scored 50 points in 42 games this season. Lin is defined by his excellent skating, fancy edgework, and blazing straight line speed. To this, he adds strong defensive positioning and great decision-making, both offensively and defensively. There is no doubt that offensive capabilities in walking the line and quarterbacking the power play will be his calling card. His size will likely limit how high he gets in the rankings, but a recent injury that will keep him out for some time might even see him fall in the short term. Another smaller defender is definitely not in the cards for the Habs.

#12 – Xavier Villeneuve 

Armada de Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) – LD 

Start of season rank: 11 

An impressive point per game pace at 36 points in 35 games keeps Villeneuve on the radar for many teams. He’s 5’11, is known to compete extremely hard, and makes excellent decisions with or without the puck. The size is the obvious concern on the blue line. He’s an obvious top 10 pick if considering only raw skills. Will scouts learn their lessons after ridiculous recent snubs (Lane Hutson)? I’m going to guess not, as I think Villeneuve slips at the draft. Considering his position and the fact the Canadiens already count on Hutson long term, he’s a pass for me for Montreal and that’s despite my recent warning a few lines ago. 

#13 – Adam Novotny 

Peterborough Petes (OHL) – LW 

Start of season rank: 13 

The 6’1 winger is now producing with 55 points in 46 games after a slow start to his season in the OHL. He sets himself apart with intelligence and compete, as the raw tools aren’t as appealing as many above him on this list. The intelligence also means that his defensive reads and efforts are often better than those ranked above him here. This would be an excellent first selection for the Habs should scouts from other teams fall in love with other players and Novotny slips. 

#14 – Daxon Rudolph 

Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) – RD 

Start of season rank: 12 

The 6’2 defender has been on a tear this season as he’s scored 60 points in 55 games. This offensive surge is nice to help a title-contending Raiders team, but it’s not what is expected of him at the next level. What scouts really notice is his strong gap control, his composure in tight spots, and his ability to close the middle of the ice both on the rush and when faced with a cycle game. Everything I read about Rudolph reminds me of what was said about Noah Dobson in junior. I was lucky to watch a good number of Huskies games when Dobson was winning championships there, and we all know how he turned out. While I don’t necessarily expect him to pop offensively like Dobson did, it remains an intriguing pick. However, it’s extremely unlikely Rudolph is available for the Habs, but he would be a player of interest should he slip. 

#15 – Elton Hermansson 

MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan) – RW 

Start of season rank: 16 

After a strong Hlinka-Gretzky tournament where he scored 11 points, he scored nine points in 13 U20 games. Add 17 points in 32 games for Hermansson since his recall to the Allsvenskan despite erratic usage. Should his recent production continue, he might get higher on lists. His main attribute is finding lanes to attack with the puck in the offensive zone. However, that’s not a player profile that the Habs usually target. 

#16 – Oliver Suvanto 

Tappara (Liiga) – C 

Start of season rank: 22 

The big 6’3 pivot has only scored nine points in 43 games in Liiga, but he is playing in a men’s league known for its defensive style of play. He scored two goals at the World Juniors after producing a point per game at the U18 when playing against peers his own age. Scouts appear to consider him average at every facet of the game, and while that might sound boring, what it really highlights is the fact there are no real deficiencies in his game. The exception to the previous statement is his shot, which is without a doubt above average. It’s worth noting that he’s one of the youngest players available in this draft class so there is a bit more developmental runway here. Should the Habs opt for a safe pick/high-floor player, this is a consideration. 

Midseason Rankings 17-24
Midseason Rankings 25-32
Midseason Round 2 Rankings