Much like last season, the Montreal Canadiens organization released their analysis of their top 25 prospects within the organization as the season kicks off. Ranked from #25 down to #1, the Canadien will update the rankings throughout the year, as well as their stat-lines. No longer in the pure rebuild they were in last year, the Montreal Canadiens have moved some young talent in the off-season, while also loading up in talent in the 2011 draft.

First, last years end of the season top 25 (players in bold still remain in the organization, while players in italics have graduated from prospect status):

25) Taylor Chorney - D
24) Adam Henrique - F
23) Maxime Clermont - G
22) Aaron Palushaj - F
21) Teemu Hartikainen - F
20) Brandon Pirri - F
19) Patrice Cormier - F
18) Anton Khudobin - G
17) Alexander Avtsin - F
16) Dylan Olsen - D
15) David Savard - D
14) Johan Gustafsson - G
13) Marcus Kruger - F
12) Yannick Weber - D
11) Stanislav Galiev - F
10) Mike Murphy - G
9) Jon Merrill - D
8) Joey Hishon - F
7) Kirill Kabanov - F
6) Dmitri Orlov - D
5) Kyle Beach - F
4) David Rundblad - D
3) Joackim Eriksson - G
2) Lars Eller - F
1) P.K. Subban - D

There were 12 Forwards, 8 Defensemen and 5 goalies on the list last year.

First, the five names that deserve to be on the organizations list, but just couldn't make the cup with the prospect cupboard as full of quality prospects as it has become. The Canadiens organization feels that they still receive recognition, and here they are:

J.P. Anderson, G, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (OHL)
Dmitrij Jaskin, F, Slavia Praha HC (CZE)
Ben Maxwell, F, Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Tobias Rieder, F, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Brock Trotter, F, Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL)

All these guys could have made the list, and probably will get their spot on it before all is sad and done, but just don't make the cut right now. The organization is lucky to be even deeper this year then last when it comes to top end prospects despite having moved out 8 of it's top 15 prospects.

#25

Aaron Palushaj
5'11" 187 lbs. Age: 22
2007 2nd (44th)
HF Rating - 7.0B

Aaron's a player the organization has been pointing to as a player to watch since we acquired him to move from 10th to 13th in the 2010 draft. Palushaj plays a very solid all-around game, having the ability to snipe goals with his quick shoot, while also touting play-making and stick-handling skills.He's had some consistency issues in he past, but he showed in the playoffs that they seem to be behind him. He just missed making the team, and will get an early season call-up. Should be a good second or third liner on a pretty good team.

Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL)
GP 8 - G 2 - A 7 - P 9 - PIM 12
Montreal Canadiens
GP 15 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 4

#24

Mattias Ritola
5'11" 187 lbs. Age: 22
2007 2nd (44th)
HF Rating - 6.5B

Mattias is a guy that the organization was happy to acquire in the Dennis Seidenberg deal. Coming out of the Detroit Red Wings organization, Ritola had a rough start in Tampa last season dealing with an inner-ear problem which kept him to limited minutes or the press box. Finally got the right treatment just in time for a stint in the AHL to end the season, piling up 27 points in just 17 games, and then dominating in the playoffs as well. Has strong puck control and stickhandling abilities, as well as a quick release. Drives the net, and plays solid defense as well.

Tampa Bay Lightning
GP 5 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 6
Modo (SEL)
GP 8 - G 1 - A 6 - P 7 - PIM 8

#23

Patrice Cormier
6'2" 215 lbs. Age: 21
2008 2nd (54th)
HF Rating - 6.5B

He might not be an explosive offensive forward, but Patrice Cormier is a perfect 2nd or 3rd liner in the NHL, and is taking up the slow development curve of power forwards. Cormier was Canada's captain before he had that vicious elbow incident. He will be a multi-cat stud in the NHL, with 60 point upside to go with 130+ PIMs down the road. Unfortunately a concussion sidelined him to end the season, just when he was just adjusting to the NHL game, but he's back and will start the year getting into game shape in the AHL.

St. John's IceCaps (AHL)
GP 22 - G 4 - A 3 - P 7 - PIM 36

#22

Maxime Clermont
6'1" 195 lbs. Age: 19
2010 6th (174th)
HF Rating - 7.0C

Clermont instantly became one of the best goalies in the system upon being drafted, if not the best, in what weak goaltending stable in New Jersey. His timing is perfect, too, as Brodeur career seems to be very near its ending. The athletic goaltender plays a very strong positional game, making himself as big as possible and using his legs well. His puck-handling is a weakness, but he's proven that he's ready for a shot in the pros, and it looks like he'll start the year in the ECHL with the Devils new affliate.

Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL)
GP 5 - W 3 - GAA 2.50 - SV% 0.911 - SO 0
Albany Devils (AHL)
GP 1 - W 1 - GAA 1.99 - SV% 0.933 - SO 0

#21

Teemu Hartikainen
6'1" 215 lbs. Age: 21
2008 6th (163rd)
HF Rating - 7.0C

Teemu is the first on our list to start the year in the same spot he finished it. That's mostly due to the fact that he'll start the year in the AHL, not the NHL. Hartikainen is a leader who is an all-around gritty player, who battles up and done the ice. Teemu is a bull in a china shop on the ice, and he made big strides in his skating and explosiveness. Ideally can be a third-line gritty scorer, with easy second-line upside. Seems like he'll get a chance with Edmonton later this year, although he'll start the year in the minors.

Oklahoma City Barons (AHL)
GP 19 - G 8 - A 5 - P 13 - PIM 8

#20

Brandon Pirri
6'0" 183 lbs. Age: 20
2009 2nd (59th)
HF Rating - 7.0C

There's a reason Brandon got an opening night look this year, and it's because he oozes skill and upside. He's got top line 6 potential, and he seems to have adjusted quickly to the AHL, although after a short look he'll be back there for the start of the season. He's a smaller guy, but he packed on 20 pounds of muscle over the last year, and has picked up his all-around game. He'll work more on that in his stint in the AHL, but he should get several chances in the NHL this year.

Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
GP 2 - G 0 - A 1 - P 1 - PIM 0
Chicago Blackhawks
GP 1 - G 0 - A 1 - P 1 - PIM 0

#19

Marcus Kruger
6'0" 181 lbs. Age: 21
2009 5th (149th)
HF Rating - 7.0B

At one time Marcus was considered a lock for the top 15 in the 2009 draft, but his stock fell off and he dropped a little off the radar. Yet, the 5th rounder has established himself overseas as a versatile forward who can play anywhere, and he came over the the NHL to rave reviews from his coach. He's a little bit on the small side, so he needs to add some muscle and strength so he doesn't wear down over a full 82 game season, and he struggled a bit in the preseason, resulting in Pirri getting the first look, though he's with the big club now. Marcus has great playmaking skills, and should get a look in the top 6.

Chicago Blackhawks
GP 1 - G 0 - A 1 - P 1 - PIM 2

#18

Anton Khudobin
5'11" 199 lbs. Age: 25
2004 7th (206th)
HF Rating - 6.0C

Anton is a kid who deserves his shot in the NHL, but has yet to get a fair shake. He performed well in every look in the NHL he's gotten, and in the AHL as well, and is deserving of being at least a backup, while having the tools to be a solid starter. Yet, sadly he now sits in Boston behind two good goalies, although he's a Tim Thomas injury from being a backup, and the organization still believes in his upside.

Providence Bruins (AHL)
GP 2 - W 0 - GAA 4.00 - SV% 0.871 - PIM 2

#17

Alexander Avtsin
6'2" 198 lbs. Age: 20
2009 4th (109th)
HF Rating - 7.5D

The big-bodied Russian winger didn't put up the gaudy numbers in his first North American season that most expected, but looking at it closer his struggles were mostly due to adjusting to a new continent and a bad wrist injury. Avtsin, though, shows great offensive potential, and he could blow up at any time into a huge offensive contributor, as he's got the skills. The Canadiens will give him time to find his game, though.

Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL)
GP 1 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 2

#16

Mark Pysyk
6'1" 174 lbs. Age: 19
2010 1st (23rd)
HF Rating - 7.5C

Mark is the first real new addition to this list that wasn't on the roster at the end of last year. Pysyk is a two-way defenseman who plays a great offensive game with the puck on his stick, making excellent passes. He's a leader on every team he plays on, and he's got a great shot at being a leader on the World Junior team for Canada in Edmonton this year. Will probably jump up this list as the World Juniors come to pass.

Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
GP 9 - G 0 - A 4 - P 4 - PIM 14

#15

Colby Cohen
6'2" 200 lbs. Age: 22
2007 2nd (45th)
HF Rating - 6.5C

Colby Cohen is a guy who's always been a little under-rated, and he's always spent time in another prospects shadows. First it was Boston University teammate Kevin Shattenkirk, and Shattenkirk was with him in Colorado too. Now, he's the second best defense prospect in Boston's system again with the drafting of Dougie Hamilton. Still, Colby is close to the NHL, and he's a extremely gifted offensive defenseman, so he'll put up points when he gets there. He'll get a little more time to work on his defensive game in the A again this year though, at least to start up.

Providence Bruins (AHL)
GP 2 - bG 0 - A 1 - P 1 - PIM 0

#14

Jaroslav Janus
6'1" 189 lbs. Age: 22
2009 6th (162nd)
HF Rating - 6.5C

The third of three straight new additions to the Montreal Canadiens prospect charts, Jaroslav is a big time goalie. Last year their was more competition in the Tampa Bay system with Cedrick Desjardins, a veteran, and Dustin Tokarski ahead of him, but the path has cleared a little this year, thanks in part to Janus' solid play in the ECHL. Now he looks like the main man in Norfolk, where he'll have to fend off the highly touted Tokarski. He has starter skills and mental toughness, he just needs an opportunity, and he's a Dwyane Roloson injury from grabbing it.

Norfolk Admirals (AHL)
GP 1 - W 1 - GAA 3.01 - SV% 0.897 - SO 0

#13

Stanislav Galiev
6'2" 187 lbs. Age: 19
2010 3rd (86th)
HF Ranking - 7.0C

The Washington Capitals got a steal with this kid in the third round, and he's a kid the Canadiens organization is extremely high on. He'll spend another year with the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL, learning a more complete game on a dominant team. He has extremely soft hands, and can pile up points as he showed last year and in the playoffs. He showed progress last year in becoming more physical, and learning how to shoot more with his wicked shot. He's a work in progress, but his upside is extremely high.

Saint John Sea Dogs
GP 5 - G 3 - A 3 - P 6 - PIM 2

#12

Richard Panik
6'2" 197 lbs. Age: 20
2009 2nd (52nd)
HF Ranking - 8.0D

The Tampa Bay Lightning an organization with elite offensive talent up front, and on the way to join that talent in a top six role is Richard Panik. He's got all the physical tools you need, and the only thing standing in his way right now is working on his consistency. He'll get a chance to do so this season in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals, and how he performs will determine just how quickly he gets called up. He's got 70 point written all over him, though.

Norfolk Admirals (AHL)
GP 0 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 0

#11

Rocco Grimaldi
5'6" 160 lbs. Age: 18
2011 2nd (33rd)
HF Ranking - 8.0D

The pint-sized United States hero is one of those rare talents that wows you completely in the offensive zone every time he has the puck. His one major downside, and its quite obvious, is his lack of size. He's a tiny, tiny player, but he's got upside galore, and there have been other players of his stature with lesser skills who have made it. While he's probably two years away from the NHL at this point, and he'll be in tough to make it, he's got skills enough to ensure his way there.

North Dakota Fighting Sioux (NCAA)
GP 1 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 0

#10

Mike Murphy
5'11" 172 lbs. Age: 22
2008 6th (165th)
HF Rating - 6.0B

Mike Murphy is a very good and solid young goalie within the Carolina Hurricanes system. Well never seen as a top flight goalie due to his size, Murphy has proven himself a stud in the OHL as well as the AHL, having stolen the full-time starter job out of the hands of Justin Pogge. With Cam Ward ahead of him, Murphy is in tough to steal a starting job while in Carolina, and he has a tough battle ahead with Jeff Deslauriers and Justin Peters in Charlotte with him this year, but he has the battle and will to win the AHL job to himself, and earn a shot in the Show.

Charlotte Checkers
GP 1 - W 0 - GAA 4.06 - SV% 0.909 - SO 0

#9

Kirill Kabanov
6'2" 194 lbs. Age: 19
2010 3rd (65th)
HF Rating - 7.0C

I'll talk about the negatives first: Kabanov is Russian, and he's made mistakes in the past. Yet, the kid seems to have burned his Russian bridges, and should be here to stay, as the KHL is not an option after he bashed it in the past. He's also grown up, and won community service awards. That's good, good news, since the Islanders pick has elite game-breaking ability and speed. He has the rare ability to hit 100 points in the NHL, if he can put it all together. He had a dominant post-season in the Q, but the question now is where does he play this season, having outgrown the Q, while not being old enough for the AHL. He's just missed making the NHL this year.

Unknown
GP 0 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 0

#8

Christopher Gibson
6'1" 188 lbs. Age: 18
2011 2nd (49th)
HF Rating - 7.0C

The Finnish native has played midget AAA in Canada, and now QMJHL and he's shown amazing talent and potential all through out. Gibson has stellar athleticism and reflexes, to pair with his good size. He needs some work on his technique right now, but luckily he's with a good organization who specializes in turning talent (Bernier, Quick, Jones) into NHL caliber starters. He's competitive, a fighter, and has the mental toughness to excel.

Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
GP 7 - W 3 - GAA 3.32 - SV% 0.891 - SO 0

#7

Dylan Olsen
6'2" 214 lbs. Age: 20
2009 1st (28th)
HF Rating - 7.5C

The big physical defender skates like the wind for a big man, and can take over games at a moments notice. He's got great skills that'll land him on an NHL powerplay throughout his career, and he can rush with the puck better then most expect. Still, he's at least a year away, maybe two to get used to handling bigger opponents in the defensive zone, but he's in a great system that'll only help him grow. Played well for Canada at the World Juniors, and looks like the next one in a line of Chicago good young rearguards.

Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
GP 2 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 0

#6

Nathan Beaulieu
6'1" 182 lbs. Age: 18
2011 1st (17th)
HF Rating - 8.0C

Nathan was a guy everyone was expecting to go in the top 10 this year, as he's got the full package for a defenseman. He's got great offensive skills, vision, bravado and craftiness. He plays with a physical edge, thinks fast, makes smart decisions, and is willing to mix it up. His defensive play isn't entirely there yet, but that's why he's back in the Q. He needs to tighten that part of his game up, and then he'll be great. He's a big guy, and given two years, he'll fill out and become a potential top 2 defenseman, to go along with his 50 point offensive skills.

Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
GP 8 - G 2 - A 4 - P 6 - PIM 28

#5

Sven Bartschi
5' 10" 181 lbs. Age: 19
2011 1st (13th)
HF Rating - 8.0C

The Swiss winger was a first round draft pick of the Calgary Flames this past summer, and he almost broke camp with the team. He probably could have made it, but Horak narrowly beat him out and had the desire of management to be there to show that they got something for the loss of Erixon to the Rangers. Sven is a under-sized yet speedy winger that gets under the skin of opponents, play a very good offensive game, and can fit anywhere in a top 9 role. There's no downside to this kid, as he's a lock to be in the NHL, and should be there as soon as 2012. Instantly the best prospect in Calgary's system.

Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
GP 5 - G 2 - A 5 - P 7 - PIM 6

#4

David Savard
6'2" 219 lbs. Age: 20
2009 4th (94th)
HF Rating - 7.5C

Savard is the best defensive prospect in Columbus, and he's showed it the past two training camps. He's put on 20 pounds and grown an inch in the last year, and he's improved his defensive play to become a very good player in his own zone. The best part is he is also extremely good in the offensive zone, putting up 77 points in the Q and then 43 in his first AHL year. He's earned a role in Columbus, and should see tons and tons of powerplay time with James Wiesniewski out for the first month.

Columbus Blue Jackets
GP 4 - G 0 - A 0 - P 0 - PIM 2

#3

Jacob Josefson
6'1" 190 lbs. Age: 20
2009 1st (20th)
HF Rating - 7.5B

Jacob Josefson is lining up to be Ilya Kovalchuk's long-term center, and we all know what that means points-wise. There's a good reason the Devils see him as such, and that's because he's extremely strong and skilled with the puck. He's improved his skating every year, is creative with the puck on his stick, and is a responsible defensive presence. He also has the great ability to always be in the right spot on the ice, a talent needed of any player on a line with an offensive dynamo like Kovy. There's a big upside here, and he'll get his chance to start showing it with injuries opening up a top 6 spot this season.

New Jersey Devils
GP 3 - G 0 - A 1 - P 1 - PIM 2

#2

Ryan Strome
6'0" 183 lbs. Age: 18
2011 1st (5th)
HF Rating - 8.0C

Ryan Strome rose up the draft charts on draft day, after a breakout season with Niagara in the OHL. He ran a little hot and cold in the OHL playoffs, but his skillset would make anyone drool. He can dangle, has a soft touch, shoots hard and is a very strong skater. Known for his highlight reel goals, Strome creates space and is responsible defensively. Spent a couple games watching the pros to start the year, and should be with the big boys come next season. He'll get a shot with Team Canada at the World Juniors this year.

Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
GP 22 - G 15 - A 13 - P 28 - PIM 28

#1

Adam Larsson
6'3" 200 lbs. Age: 19
2011 1st (4th)
HF Rating - 9.0C

The Swedish blueliner has been praised and waited for ever since he was 15, and the wait has been worth it. He's got elite D skills, plays a universal game, is tough, and he injects himself into the offensive game at the right times. Plays composed under the toughest pressure, and is the best D in New Jersey, not just their best prospect D. He'll log heavy minutes in plenty of situations, including tons of powerplay time.

New Jersey Devils
GP 26 - G 2 - A 7 - P 9 - PIM 10