The Montreal Canadiens have drafted extremely well in recent years, helping consistently improve their Stanley Cup odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Some of those picks include Ivan Demidov, Florian Xhekaj, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Lane Huston, with the latter pair being selected in the same draft.
Let’s look at which player the Canadiens might take in the first round of the 2026 NHL draft, taking place on June 26 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Montreal Canadiens Mock Draft for First Round
The Canadiens drafted Hutson in the second round with the No. 62 pick in 2022, demonstrating the best-case scenario for those not drafted in the first round.
Montreal didn’t have a first-round pick in 2025, but had two in 2024, selecting Demidov at No. 5 and Michael Hage at No. 21.
They have the 28th pick in the forthcoming draft, and while several players will appeal to the organization, I’ve pinpointed my preference.
Who Will the Canadiens Draft With No. 28 Pick?
In my NHL mock draft, I predicted who will be drafted in the first round, leaning toward Maddox Dagenais being selected by the Canadiens.
Dagenais is from Montreal, which gives him the edge from the outset. That, of course, depends on whether he’s snapped up by a team with one of the preceding 27 picks.
He is ranked 15th among the North American draft prospects. Dagenais has massive upside as he is a 6-foot-4 power forward who can play at centre or on the wing. He’s more familiar at centre, which is where he played most of last season with the Québec Remparts in the QMJHL.
The 18-year-old finished second in team scoring last season, notching 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) in 62 games. Dagenais will return to the Remparts in 2026-27 for a third season.
He wants to be known as a versatile power forward, somebody who can play in various scenarios. He scored 10 power-play goals last season and is excellent on the boards, using his towering stature to body smaller players.
Dagenais has an NHL pedigree in his blood, with his father, Pierre, playing for the Canadiens between 2003 and 2006. It’s another reason I favour the Canadiens drafting the homegrown talent.
Have the Canadiens Ever Had a First Overall Draft Pick?
The Canadiens have had the first overall pick six times. They last had the top draft pick in 2022, with which they selected Juraj Slafkovsky.
When Is the 2026 NHL Draft?
The 2026 NHL Draft takes place on June 26 and 27.
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