The air in Montreal feels different on draft day. For a city where hockey isn’t just a sport but a religion, the annual NHL Entry Draft represents more than just adding new players—it’s about hope, renewal, and the future of a storied franchise. As the Canadiens prepare for the 2025 NHL Draft, the Hughes-Gorton era continues to unfold with a methodical approach that has gradually reshaped the organization’s identity.
When Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes took the reins of hockey operations in late 2021, they inherited a team adrift—a franchise caught between competing and rebuilding. Their vision was clear from the outset: build through the draft, focus on skill and hockey IQ, and create a sustainable model for long-term success. Three and a half years into their tenure, that blueprint has begun to materialize.
“We don’t just draft players, we draft people,” Hughes remarked at last year’s post-draft press conference. “Character, work ethic, and hockey sense are non-negotiables for us.” This philosophy has guided the Canadiens through recent drafts, where they’ve consistently prioritized high-ceiling talent over immediate fixes.
The 2025 draft represents another critical juncture for the organization. With multiple picks in the first three rounds, including their own first-rounder projected in the top 12, the Canadiens have ammunition to continue adding significant pieces to their prospect pool. Sources close to the team suggest they’re targeting positional needs while maintaining their “best player available” approach.
Defense remains a priority. Despite drafting several promising blueliners in recent years, the Canadiens continue seeking mobile, puck-moving defensemen who can quarterback the power play—a chronic weakness in the organization. The modern NHL demands defenders who can transition quickly and contribute offensively, something the scouting staff has emphasized in their pre-draft meetings.
What sets the current management apart from previous regimes is their willingness to be patient. Gone are the days of trading prospects for aging veterans or rushing youngsters to the NHL. Under Hughes and Gorton, development has become a cornerstone of organizational philosophy.
“The NHL isn’t a development league,” Gorton stated bluntly at the mid-season press conference. “We believe in giving our prospects the time they need in junior, college, or the AHL to become complete players before they arrive in Montreal.”
This patient approach has frustrated some fans eager for immediate results, but it’s yielding dividends. Several prospects drafted in the early Hughes-Gorton era are now knocking on the NHL door, having benefited from extended development time. The organization’s prospect pool has consistently ranked in the top five league-wide over the past two years, according to multiple scouting services.
Another hallmark of the Hughes-Gorton draft strategy has been their willingness to select players from non-traditional hockey markets and leagues. Where previous administrations showed clear preferences for certain junior leagues or player profiles, the current regime casts a wider net. European leagues, American high schools, and tier-two junior circuits are all fertile scouting grounds for the revamped scouting department.
“Hockey talent doesn’t just come from Quebec and Ontario anymore,” noted Assistant General Manager John Sedgwick. “We have scouts dedicated to finding talent wherever it exists, whether that’s Finland, California, or anywhere in between.”
This global approach extends to the types of players Montreal targets. Size—once a prerequisite for Canadiens prospects—has become secondary to skill, skating, and hockey sense. Recent drafts have seen Montreal select smaller, highly skilled players who might have been overlooked in previous eras. The emphasis on cognitive abilities—reading the game, processing information quickly, making smart decisions under pressure—reflects the direction of modern hockey.
As Montreal’s scouting staff finalizes their draft board, they do so with a clearer organizational identity than existed four years ago. The prospects already in the system inform decisions about who to target next, creating a more cohesive developmental pipeline. Specific positional needs are balanced against the mandate to select the best talent available, regardless of when that player might reach the NHL.
The Canadiens’ approach to trading draft picks has also evolved. Where they once readily moved future assets for immediate help, they now hoard draft capital, particularly in the early rounds. When they do make draft-day trades, they typically involve moving down to acquire additional selections rather than consolidating picks to move up—a reflection of their belief in the value of multiple “lottery tickets” in the unpredictable science of draft selection.
For Canadiens fans heading into the 2025 draft, patience remains the watchword. The Hughes-Gorton rebuild isn’t about quick fixes or splashy moves, but rather the methodical accumulation of talent and the careful development of prospects. It’s a process that tests the patience of a passionate fanbase, but one that offers the best path to sustainable success.
As the first day of the draft approaches, the question isn’t whether the Canadiens will make a big splash, but rather how the players they select will fit into the organization’s long-term vision. In the pressure cooker that is Montreal hockey, Hughes and Gorton have maintained their course despite occasional criticism. Their legacy will ultimately be judged not by draft day headlines, but by whether their selections develop into the core of a championship team.
The draft table awaits, and with it, the next chapter in the storied history of hockey’s most historic franchise.
For more analysis on the Canadiens’ approach to building through the draft, visit CO24 Sports and CO24 Opinions for expert commentary on the team’s development strategy.
