The Montreal Canadiens entered the 2025 NHL Draft with a clear objective: to inject a blend of skill, size, and potential into their prospect pool. Despite trading away their first-round picks to acquire defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, General Manager Kent Hughes and his team remained aggressive, making strategic moves to acquire talent throughout the draft. While their early selections garnered attention, it's a later-round pick who has the potential to become a significant steal for the organization.
Montreal's draft strategy focused on high-upside prospects, even if it meant taking calculated risks. They traded up to select Russian forward Alexander Zharovsky early in the second round, a move that many considered a potential steal. The Canadiens also targeted size, selecting towering center Hayden Paupanekis. In the later rounds, they continued to identify players with strong progression curves who could outperform their draft position.
One such player is Carlos Handel, a defenseman selected in the sixth round. While not as highly touted as some of the Canadiens' earlier picks, Handel possesses a combination of traits that make him an intriguing prospect.
Scouts describe Handel as a player with "legit NHL potential". He stood out for Germany on the international stage and projects as an all-around player on a third pairing in the NHL. One scout noted that Handel was "really good value for the Canadiens at that rank".
Handel is expected to continue his junior career with the Halifax Mooseheads, where he is projected to take on a deeper offensive role. This increased responsibility will provide him with an opportunity to further develop his offensive skills and showcase his potential.
Montreal has a knack for finding hidden gems in the later rounds of the draft, and Handel could be the next in line. With his size, skating ability, and hockey sense, he has the potential to develop into a valuable asset for the Canadiens.
The Canadiens' 2025 draft class reflects a determined effort to accelerate their rebuild and secure a competitive future. While it's still too early to definitively assess the success of their picks, the selection of Carlos Handel in the later rounds could prove to be a shrewd move that pays dividends down the road.
