3 Late-Round Draft Targets the Canadiens Should Consider

The Montreal Canadiens have done an excellent job of building their prospect pool over the last few years. While much of the attention is focused on first-round selections and top prospects, successful organizations are often built by finding value later in the draft. Kent Hughes and the Canadiens have already shown they are willing to take chances on players with intriguing tools and upside. With eight selections heading into the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Montreal will have plenty of opportunities to add talent throughout the draft board. Here are three interesting late-round targets that could be worth a gamble for the Canadiens.

Jonas Woo

Jonas Woo is the type of prospect who could become one of the biggest steals of the draft. The 19-year-old defenseman went undrafted last year and could very well not hear his name called once again this weekend. Standing at just 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, Woo is one of the smallest defensemen available, which explains why some teams remain hesitant despite his production.

What cannot be ignored, however, is what he accomplished offensively. Woo finished the season with an incredible 29 goals and 57 assists for 86 points in just 56 games. Those are elite numbers for a defenseman regardless of size. His biggest strength is his puck-moving ability. Woo excels at carrying the puck out of danger, joining the rush and creating offense from the back end. In today’s NHL, where mobility and puck possession are becoming increasingly important, players with those skills deserve attention.

There is also some familiarity for Montreal. Woo played alongside Canadiens prospect Bryce Pickford with the Medicine Hat Tigers, giving the organization a good opportunity to evaluate him closely throughout the season. His size may ultimately keep him from being selected early, but for a late-round pick, the upside could be well worth the risk.

Domán Kristóf Szongoth

If the Canadiens are looking for a project down the middle, Domán Kristóf Szongoth could be an interesting option. The Hungarian forward possesses a solid frame at 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds and already plays a mature two-way game. While his offensive numbers do not immediately jump off the page, he produced 10 goals and 18 assists in 44 games with KooKoo’s U20 team in Finland.

What makes Szongoth intriguing is the combination of size, responsibility and work ethic. He is the type of player who understands his role and can contribute in multiple situations. Coaches generally appreciate forwards who can be trusted defensively while still providing some offensive support. At this stage, he remains a raw prospect with room to develop. His skating and offensive creativity still need refinement, but there are enough tools present to make him an attractive late-round selection.

The Canadiens have often targeted players with strong character and hockey sense during recent drafts. Szongoth appears to fit that mold perfectly. With patience and proper development, he could eventually grow into a dependable bottom-six NHL center. Finding NHL-caliber centers outside the early rounds is never easy, but this is exactly the type of swing teams should be willing to take late in the draft.

Alexander Grunin

Alexander Grunin is another defenseman who may not generate much buzz this weekend, but his physical tools make him an intriguing project. The Russian blueliner stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 176 pounds, giving him plenty of room to continue adding strength as he matures. His offensive production was modest this season, recording just 15 points in 44 games in the MHL, but his game is not built around putting up flashy numbers.

What stands out about Grunin is his skating ability. For a player of his size, he moves exceptionally well and covers a lot of ice. Modern NHL teams are constantly searching for large defensemen who can skate, and Grunin checks both boxes. There is still plenty of work to do. He will need to become stronger physically, improve his consistency and continue refining his decision-making with the puck. However, late-round selections are often about betting on tools rather than finished products.

None of these players are guaranteed to become NHL regulars, but that is exactly why they could be available later in the draft. For a Canadiens organization that has drafted well in recent years, taking a chance on one of these under-the-radar prospects could prove to be another smart investment for the future.