Pressure Mounts as Canadiens Prospect Enters Make-or-Break Season

If he fails to establish himself, all signs indicate that Kidney's next campaign in the Montreal organization will be his last.

In 2021, Riley Kidney was considered a high-level prospect when he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2nd round, 63rd overall.

In the QMJHL, the center had been dominant with 281 points in 218 games with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and the Gatineau Olympiques.

The Montreal organization had high hopes for Kidney after selecting him just after Logan Mailloux. In that same draft class, which marked Marc Bergevin's last draft as Canadiens GM, the team also selected Oliver Kapanen (64th), Dmitri Kostenko (87th), William Trudeau (113th), Daniil Sobolev (142nd), Joshua Roy (150th), Xavier Simoneau (191st), and Joe Vrbetic (214th).

Mailloux was eventually traded to the St. Louis Blues for Zachary Bolduc, while Kapanen is playing with the big club. Kidney, Trudeau, Roy, and Simoneau are with the Laval Rocket in the AHL, while Vrbetic suits up with the Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL. Kostenko and Sobolev remained in Russia.

The next training camp will be very important for Joshua Roy if he wants to try to play with the Canadiens. Defenseman William Trudeau is performing very well in Laval, and his performances are being closely monitored, while Xavier Simoneau is an important part of the affiliate team's offense.

There is no doubt that the Montreal Canadiens' management will be watching Riley Kidney closely in 2025-26.

With 16 points in 56 games last year, the Enfield native did not show any progression. He will be a restricted free agent next summer, and it would be surprising if the management offered him a new contract if he does not elevate his game during the upcoming season.

Kidney is extremely talented, but he still has many areas to improve, and he will have to work very hard. A few spots ahead of him in 2021, a certain Matthew Knies was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs.