Montreal Canadiens 2022 Draft Class Revisited – Hockey Writers – Canadiens History

The 2022 NHL Entry Draft will go down as a turning point for the Montreal Canadiens. Armed with 11 picks, including the coveted first pick, general manager Kent Hughes and vice president of hockey Jeff Gorton were tasked with planting the seeds for the team’s rebuild. Three years later, it’s safe to say that this class has already begun to reshape the team’s future. Although not all are selected, the total number released in this section is impressive. With several players already involved in the NHL or showing strong signs of development in Laval and beyond, the Canadiens’ 2022 draft crop could be the foundation of a winning team of the future.

Juraj Slafkovsky – 1st overall pick

The draft started with a bold decision. Montreal made headlines when they selected Slovakian midfielder Juraj Slafkovsky first overall instead of top consensus prospect Shane Wright. The early return was questionable, as Slafkovsky struggled to find consistency and adjust to the speed of the NHL during his rookie campaign. But since then, the narrative has changed.

Now 22 years old, Slafkovsky has put together three straight 50-point seasons and is one of Martin St. Louis’ top six. He leads his draft class in goals (72) and ranks second in assists (112), trailing only teammate Lane Hutson in that department. While Slafkovsky may not have reached the high expectations of a first-round pick, his progress is undeniable. His unique combination of size, skill, and burgeoning confidence suggests the Canadiens could be a top power forward in the making. Time will tell if he ever becomes the face of the draft, but he has already become a fundamental piece of the Canadiens core.

Filip Mesar – 26th overall pick

If Slafkovsky’s pick inspired hope, the Canadiens’ first-second-round pick in 2022 brought a reality check. Filip Mesar, who went 26th overall, was expected to be a crafty, playmaking midfielder who could eventually play a role in Montreal’s middle six. Instead, his progress has been high.

Fresh off his second full season with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Laval Rocket, Mesar has struggled to gain traction. In 116 AHL games, he only recorded 13 goals and 33 assists, raising serious concerns about his long-term upside. The pick looks pretty bad in retrospect considering the Buffalo Sabers took Jiri Kulich two spots later. Kulich has played 75 NHL games, scoring 18 goals. While Mesar is still only 22 years old and development curves vary, this pick increasingly looks like a miss, especially for a team that needs offensive depth.

Owen Beck – 33rd overall pick

Just outside of the first round, Montreal found a gem. Owen Beck, a mature, defensively responsible center, was a top pick with the potential to develop into a solid middle-six NHLer. Flash forward to 2025, and Beck has exceeded expectations.

He split this season between Laval and Montreal, recording 33 points in 58 AHL games while appearing in 15 NHL contests. His two-way game, tackling ability, and hockey IQ make him a strong candidate to center Montreal’s third line in the future. Beck may never be an offensive weapon, but he plays like a coach’s dream, reliable in all areas, reliable on the penalty kill, and able to break through offensively. For a team like Montreal that has lacked center depth for years, Beck fills a critical need.

Lane Hutson – 62nd overall pick

Lane Hutson may end up being the crown jewel of this entire draft. Slafkovsky may be the headline name, but Hutson’s arrival changed the complexion of Montreal’s blue line.

After a stellar college career with Boston University, where he broke records and impressed scouts with his vision and ability to move the puck, Hutson joined the Canadiens and hit the ground running. He finished his rookie season with an incredible 66 points in 82 games, displaying powerful skating, elite hockey sense, and the ability to repeat the power play. He took home the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. He followed that up with 78 points in 82 games in his second season.

Although he’s under 5-foot-9, Hutson has proven that his skill and awareness more than compensate. He is already one of the most exciting young defensemen in the NHL and could stop Montreal’s top team for the next decade. Acquiring this type of talent late in the second round is nothing short of a home run.

Vinzenz Rohrer – 75th Overall Pick

Vinzenz Rohrer may not yet be a household name in North America, but his stock is quietly rising. The Austrian forward had a strong performance at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, posting four goals and six points in eight games while helping Austria reach the quarterfinals.

He finally made his AHL debut in 2025-26, and continues to look like a great prospect. His motor, toughness, and offensive nature give him a chance to finally catch on. At 75th overall, Rohrer represents a classic value pick: a player with upside and room to grow.

Adam Engstrom – 92nd Overall Pick

A few picks include Montreal’s improved scouting success like Adam Engstrom. The Swedish defenseman, taken late in the third round, has just completed an excellent second season in Laval. He finished with 34 points in 45 games and received consistent minutes on the Rockets’ blue line. He also made his NHL debut in 2025-26, playing in 15 games, and recorded his first career point.

Engstrom is structured, mobile, and dynamic. He plays a steady, smart game and looks like a future NHL regular. At just 22 years old, he is already reliable in key AHL situations, which is a testament to his maturity and ability. For a team looking to build a deep, modern blue line, Engstrom is another quality piece from this 2022 class.

Jared Davidson – 130th Overall Pick

Drafted in the fifth round, Jared Davidson initially seemed like an overachiever with a strong but expected Western Hockey League resume. Fast forward three years, and Davidson has established himself as a reliable striker in Laval. In his third AHL season, he tallied 16 goals and 25 points in 53 games, numbers that reflect a player who is growing into his role and developing the offense as a legitimate NHL prospect.

Davidson’s game is built on work ethic and flexibility. He has become a trusted option for head coach Pascal Vincent. While his ceiling may not be as high as some of Montreal’s top prospects, Davidson has the ability to make a reliable depth forward, the type of player every successful organization needs to develop from within.

Guindon, Croteau, Nurmi & Tourigny

As with any draft, not all picks pan out. But even in the later rounds, Montreal took some decent swings.

Cedrick Guindon, taken 127th overall, posted 85 points in 66 games in the Ontario Hockey League in 2024-25. However, Montreal did not offer him a contract last summer. The Habs clearly recognized the limitations of his pro game prospects, and now he will be free to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Emmett Croteau, the 162nd pick, is an interesting project at goal. Playing at Dartmouth College, he recently posted his best collegiate season with a 13-4 record and a 2.10 goals against average. At 6-foot-4, Croteau has the size and developing tools to eventually earn a pro contract, probably after another season or two in the NCAA. There is no rush, but always a word to remember.

Petterri Nurmi (194th) and Miguel Tourigny (216th) were long shots from the start. Both remained overseas and were never offered tender contracts by the Canadiens. In retrospect, their picks were low-risk flyers, par for the course for the seventh round.

While it’s too early to judge the draft class in full, the 2022 team is already standing out as the foundational success of the Canadiens. Even with the obvious miss on Mesar and other late round picks that didn’t pan out, the overall hitting rate here is solid. Looking ahead, this team could be the backbone of the contenders list. And if Slafkovsky and Hutson continue on their current paths, the Canadiens could one day look back at the 2022 Draft as the tide truly turns.