The Montreal Canadiens have cultivated one of the NHL's most substantial prospect pools in recent years. While names like Michael Hage, Alexander Zharovsky, Jacob Fowler, and David Reinbacher naturally draw the most attention due to their high potential to become core players, a robust prospect system also relies on contributions from less prominent individuals.
Identifying players who can contribute at the NHL level from later draft rounds can significantly benefit an organization. Montreal boasts several lesser-known prospects whose development warrants attention, even if they may not possess star potential. Here are three Canadiens prospects currently flying under the radar:
Filip Eriksson
Filip Eriksson garners less attention than some of Montreal's other young forwards, but his progress since being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft has been commendable.
The Canadiens selected Eriksson 165th overall, meaning expectations were never exceptionally high for the Swedish forward. At that stage of the draft, securing a player with a realistic chance of reaching the NHL would be considered a worthwhile investment.
Eriksson is gradually becoming a player worth watching. At just 21 years old, he accumulated 29 points in 52 games with Luleå in the SHL last season. While these numbers may not be eye-popping, performing at that level against experienced professional competition is certainly encouraging for a player of his age.
A significant gap still exists between being a productive SHL player and establishing oneself in the NHL, and Eriksson should not be suddenly elevated to the status of a premier Canadiens prospect based on one successful season.
However, this is precisely the point. He remains under the radar because of the absence of immense expectations. If Eriksson continues his development over the next few seasons, the Canadiens could potentially gain an interesting depth forward from a sixth-round selection.
Luke Mittelstadt
With such a deep roster of young defensemen in their system, it can be challenging for any defenseman outside the most prominent names to attract significant attention. Luke Mittelstadt falls into this category.
After completing four seasons at the University of Minnesota, Mittelstadt transitioned to professional hockey and immediately delivered promising results with the Laval Rocket. The defenseman recorded five points in nine games with Laval, offering the organization a positive initial glimpse of his potential at the professional level.
At 5-foot-11, Mittelstadt lacks the size traditionally sought after on the blue line, especially when compared to some of Montreal's other defensive prospects. However, smaller defensemen are becoming increasingly prevalent in the NHL, and Montreal is well aware that size alone does not guarantee defensive success.
Mittelstadt's primary challenge will be to distinguish himself within an exceptionally crowded group. David Reinbacher and Adam Engström are already nearing NHL readiness, while Montreal has continued to add defensemen through the draft. The available roster spots are limited.
This does not mean Mittelstadt should be overlooked. His strong start in Laval has provided a foundation for growth, and a productive full season with the Rocket could rapidly elevate his standing within the organization. At 23 years old, his developmental timeline differs from that of a recently drafted prospect. Montreal should gain a much clearer understanding of Mittelstadt's capabilities relatively soon.
Hayden Paupanekis
Hayden Paupanekis might be the most intriguing of the three prospects due to the existing tools he possesses. Selected in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Paupanekis stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs approximately 205 pounds, making him an interesting project from the outset.
However, his game offers more than just size. Paupanekis plays a responsible two-way game and has the physical attributes that could translate well to a bottom-six role in the NHL. His offensive production has not been exceptional, which is one reason he doesn't receive the same attention as Montreal's more offensively gifted prospects.
Not every prospect needs to develop into a top-six scorer. For Paupanekis, his path to the NHL could involve excelling in the areas where his physical frame already provides an advantage. If he can increase his strength, improve his skating, and continue to develop his defensive game, a role could eventually await him.
Any further offensive development would make his potential even more appealing. At this stage, his projection involves considerable uncertainty. Paupanekis is still several steps away from becoming an NHL player, and there is no guarantee he will reach that level. However, a 6-foot-5 center with a solid two-way foundation is certainly worth monitoring.
Eriksson, Mittelstadt, and Paupanekis will not generate the same level of excitement as Hage, Zharovsky, or Fowler. They don't need to. For a Canadiens organization aiming for sustainable contention, discovering valuable players beyond the first round is crucial. While none of these three prospects are guaranteed to make it to Montreal, each has shown enough to warrant the attention of Canadiens fans, preventing them from being completely overlooked.
