The selection board is complete after the first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - The Montreal Canadiens approached Day 2 of the NHL Draft with a clear strategy: swing big and reshape the organization’s future with high-upside prospects. Having already stunned the draft floor by trading both of their first-round picks and Emil Heineman for defenseman Noah Dobson, the Canadiens wasted no time on the second day, immediately making aggressive moves to climb the draft board and target players they believed could become difference-makers down the line.
From trading up to nab dynamic Russian forward Alexander Zharovsky early in the second round, to betting on towering center Hayden Paupanekis and clutch blueliner Bryce Pickford, the Canadiens signaled their intent to build a foundation of size, skill and potential. They continued that theme through the later rounds with high-reward selections like L.J. Mooney and goalies Arseni Radkov and Alexis Cournoyer, taking calculated risks on prospects with big upsides. Each pick reflected a determined effort to inject talent and promise into the pipeline, as the Canadiens look to accelerate their rebuild and secure a competitive future.
Swinging for the Fences on Day 2
Initially slated to select 41st and 49th in the second round, the Canadiens made a move right from the start of Day 2 to trade up to 34th overall and select Alexander Zharovsky from Ufa in the KHL.
He packs a perfect combination of size, skill and puck-handling that could make him difficult to defend in transition. Although he needs to improve his two-way game and his speed, the feeling on the draft floor was that the Canadiens got a potential steal.
“He’s such a steal. That’s a first-round talent,” said an NHL source. “Lots of teams had him as a first-round talent, but were hoping he would be available in the late 30s.”
It explains why the Canadiens had to give up both their second-round picks (41 and 49) just to move up to 34, while also adding the 189th pick in the process.
“He’s a guy that can take over a tight game with a quick move and beat you to the inside,” said another scout. “He’s a boom-or-bust pick, but if he hits, he could become a menace in 1v1 battles.”
Roster Building in the Third Round
The Canadiens continued their aggressive push up the draft board by trading the 79th and 108th overall picks for the 69th pick, in order to draft behemoth center Hayden Paupanekis.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound center had a tale of two seasons. After a strong start with the Spokane Chiefs, he was traded to the Kelowna Rockets, where his offensive game dipped.
“It was a difficult transition for him offensively; Kelowna was decimated,” explained a scout. “He was a guy we thought could be a strong 3C down the middle with his size and attention to detail defensively. But he has a lot of untapped offensive potential.”
Ultimately, the Canadiens continued the theme of getting bigger in their bottom six and bringing in players with high compete and a push for physicality.
“He reminds me a lot of Adam Lowry,” said Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson.
Later in the third round, the Canadiens had back-to-back picks at 81st and 82nd overall, selecting overager defenseman Bryce Pickford and goaltender Arseni Radkov.
Having just turned 19, Pickford seems to be a late bloomer who progressed rapidly this season. The Canadiens see a sharp progression curve that could continue.
“It’s one of those picks we’ve seen Montreal have success with in the past when it comes to picking older players with high curves,” said the same scout. “At that rank, it’s really hard to say anything negative. It has the potential to return high value for them if he continues to grow his game.”
As a right-shot defenseman with impressive offensive skills, one NHL executive called it a potential steal at that spot. However, there is still plenty of work to be done.
The Canadiens also selected Arseni Radkov, a 6-foot-4 goaltender from Russia committed to the University of Massachusetts. He posted a .918 save percentage and a 3.18 GAA in the MHL with Tyumenski Legion.
“He’s one of those project goalies with a lot of runway to become something good for Montreal, and they seem to enjoy those kinds of picks like (Yevgeni) Volokhin in the past,” said another scout familiar with goaltenders.
Looking for Value in Later Picks
The Canadiens continued their bet on skill in the later rounds, selecting 5-foot-7 L.J. Mooney at 113th overall. The USNTDP center was a force this season due to his exceptional skating.
“He’s a bulldog out there. Small guy, but his skating and motor are really intriguing,” said a scout. “He just has to learn to use his teammates better, but he has the skills to surprise and play that fast-paced style Montreal is building.”
His lack of size was a concern, with scouts ranking him anywhere from 35th to 130th overall.
“He’s a long shot to make the NHL, but if you’re betting on skill at this stage, he was perhaps the best possible pick to be made at that rank,” said another scout. “Definition of boom or bust.”
He’ll have time to develop at the University of Minnesota, where his cousin, Logan Cooley, blossomed into an elite player.
With the 145th pick, the Canadiens selected goaltender Alexis Cournoyer from the Cape Breton Eagles. The 19-year-old was in his second year of eligibility and posted a dominant .942 save percentage and 1.85 GAA in 21 games this season. He is committed to Cornell University for next season, where he’ll have time to develop against tough NCAA competition.
That trend continued in the sixth round as the Canadiens picked German right-shot defenseman Carlos Handel from the Halifax Mooseheads. As a rookie in the QMJHL, the 6-foot-1 defenseman quickly established himself at both ends of the ice.
“I thought he would go in the third round. His analytics were off the charts, and he did it as a rookie on North American ice,” said a QMJHL scout. “He has legit NHL potential.”
“He stood out for Germany on the international scene and looks like he can be an all-around player on a third pair in the NHL,” added another scout. “Really good value for the Canadiens at that rank.”
He’s expected to continue his junior career with Halifax next season, where he’s projected to take on a deeper offensive role.
The Canadiens selected another right-shot defenseman, Andrew McNeil, at 189th overall. Montreal often takes fliers at this range on big defensemen who play a heavy, reliable defensive game. The Canadiens concluded a busy draft day by selecting again at 209th overall.
Assessing Montreal’s Day 2 Draft Moves
The Canadiens’ Day 2 approach reflected a willingness to take bold swings on prospects with notable upside but also clear developmental needs. By trading up for players like Alexander Zharovsky and Hayden Paupanekis, they prioritized unique skill sets and size, even if those bets carry risk. Meanwhile, later-round picks like Bryce Pickford and Carlos Handel suggest Montreal’s scouting staff targeted players with strong progression curves who could outperform their draft position.
“Montreal had one of the most value-driven drafts today,” said a regional scout. “Some of the guys they picked were ranked to go far earlier, and they were aggressive in getting what they wanted.”
Overall, the organization’s decisions emphasized the long game: adding diverse talent across positions while accepting that several of these prospects may require significant development time before reaching the NHL. If even a few of these calculated gambles pay off, the Canadiens could reap major rewards in the years ahead.
Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.
