Montreal Canadiens’ Top 10 Prospects: 2026 Offseason Edition

The Montreal Canadiens continue to boast one of the NHL’s deepest prospect pools. Even after graduating several young players to the NHL over the last few seasons, the organization has continued to replenish its pipeline through strong drafting and smart asset management. Following the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and a part of the offseason, here’s an updated look at the Canadiens’ top 10 prospects.

10. Timofei Runtso

At the bottom of the top ten is 2026 second-round selection Timofei Runtso. The right-shot defenseman recorded 44 points in 68 games with the Victoria Royals in the Western Hockey League after going undrafted the previous year. Runtso offers solid offensive instincts while also contributing on the penalty kill, showing he can be effective in multiple situations. His development over the past year has been impressive, and if he continues progressing, the Canadiens may have found another quality defenseman outside the first round.

9. Owen Beck

Owen Beck may not have the highest offensive ceiling among Montreal’s prospects, but few are as NHL-ready. Beck is an solid two-way center who excels in the faceoff circle, kills penalties and can be trusted in every situation. His responsible game and strong work ethic should allow him to carve out a long NHL career. Whether he develops into a third-line center or something more, Beck looks like a player every winning team needs.

8. Bryce Pickford

Bryce Pickford continues to climb the rankings after an outstanding season that saw him won the Canadian Hockey League defenseman of the year. The offensive defenseman has shown tremendous growth with the puck while continuing to improve defensively. His ability to jump into the rush and generate offense from the blue line gives the Canadiens another exciting young defenseman with legitimate NHL upside.

7. LJ Mooney

Despite lacking size, LJ Mooney continues to prove that skill often outweighs physical measurements. The electric forward plays with tremendous speed, creativity and confidence every time he touches the puck. His vision and playmaking ability allow him to create offense consistently, and his relentless competitiveness makes him much tougher to play against than his frame would suggest. If he continues developing physically, Mooney could become one of the biggest steals in Montreal’s prospect pool.

6. Adam Engstrom

Adam Engstrom enjoyed another excellent season with the Laval Rocket, recording 10 goals and 24 assists in 45 games while also appearing in 15 NHL games. The smooth-skating defenseman has continued to improve both offensively and defensively, becoming one of the Rocket’s most reliable players. His mobility and puck-moving ability fit perfectly with the Canadiens’ style of play, and he appears very close to becoming a full-time NHL defenseman.

5. David Reinbacher

David Reinbacher may no longer hold a top spot in the prospect rankings, but he remains an incredibly important piece of Montreal’s future. The right-shot defenseman has all the tools to become a dependable top-four blueliner capable of playing heavy minutes in every situation. Injuries have slowed his development at times, but his skating, positioning and defensive awareness continue to stand out. Once healthy, he should compete for a full-time NHL role sooner rather than later.

4. Gleb Pugachyov

Montreal made an aggressive move at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft to select Gleb Pugachyov, and it’s easy to understand why. Standing 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, the Russian winger brings a rare combination of size, speed and physicality. He plays a true power-forward game while possessing enough offensive upside to become a middle-six winger. Players with his toolkit are difficult to find, making him one of the organization’s most intriguing prospects immediately after being drafted.