With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching on June 27th, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves in an enviable position, holding two second-round picks (41st and 49th overall). General Manager Kent Hughes and his staff have a valuable opportunity to add impactful talent to their prospect pool. While the first round will likely address top-end needs, the second round provides a chance to find players with significant upside who might be slightly undervalued. One such player who the Canadiens should strongly consider targeting is right-shot defenseman Henry Brzustewicz.
Brzustewicz, born on February 9, 2007, is a dynamic, right-handed defenseman currently playing for the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Standing at 6'1" and weighing around 194 lbs, he possesses the size and frame that NHL teams covet in their defensive prospects. He has steadily climbed the rankings and is considered a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. Rankings vary, with NHL Central Scouting placing him 19th among North American skaters, while other scouting services rank him anywhere from the late-first to mid-second round.
What makes Brzustewicz an intriguing option for the Canadiens? First and foremost, his skating ability is a major asset. He is described as an excellent skater with smooth strides and impressive agility, allowing him to cover a lot of ground effectively. This mobility is crucial in today's NHL, where defensemen need to be able to transition quickly from defense to offense and keep up with the speed of the game.
Offensively, Brzustewicz possesses a heavy one-timer and a powerful point shot, making him a threat on the power play. He also demonstrates a knack for getting his shots through traffic, creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. His offensive instincts are sharp, and he has the potential to develop into a high-end point producer at the NHL level. In 67 games this season, he tallied 10 goals and 32 assists for 42 points. A good portion of his points come from him effectively passing or carrying the puck during transitions.
Defensively, Brzustewicz is reliable and displays a strong positional sense in his own zone. He understands spacing, anticipates plays, and makes smart decisions under pressure. He can effectively shut down opposing forwards and is not afraid to use his size and strength to engage in physical battles. He can deliver solid checks and protect his goaltender, making him a valuable asset on the blue line. While his defensive game is still a work in progress, he has shown flashes of high-end defensive skills, including angling opponents and timing poke checks effectively. Scouts have noted that he sometimes struggles to keep up mentally with the play around him.
Brzustewicz's hockey IQ is another significant asset. He understands the game at an advanced level for his age and can anticipate plays and react accordingly. He is a high-event player who is consistently involved in the action in all zones. Furthermore, he comes from a strong hockey family; his brother, Hunter Brzustewicz, was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
While Brzustewicz has many strengths, he also has areas for improvement. Like many young offensive defensemen, he needs to improve his consistency and decision-making. He can sometimes be too fancy with his stick handles, leading to turnovers and odd-man rushes. He also needs to be more consistent with his passes, as he sometimes misses easy ones despite demonstrating the ability to make impressive passes.
Overall, Henry Brzustewicz possesses a well-rounded skillset with significant offensive upside and solid defensive potential. His skating ability, offensive instincts, and hockey IQ make him an intriguing prospect for the Montreal Canadiens. With their two second-round picks, the Canadiens should strongly consider selecting Brzustewicz, as he has the potential to develop into a valuable two-way defenseman who can contribute in all zones.
