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This week, we continue our summer countdown of the CH's 15 top prospects with spots 12 through 10, which will bring us back to two rather familiar names.
But, as we'll see, a “newcomer” will also make an appearance…
One important clarification must be made, however, before we go any further.
Somewhere along the way during my vacation, it became increasingly clear to me that something was off with how I was weighting a player's utility and trade value (which, together, determine a player's value to the organization).
With the Canadiens' overall improvement, the many key players under long-term contracts, the fact that very few positions need to be filled, the deep organizational depth at just about every position—not to mention the upcoming NHL expansion—the reality of the Canadiens and their prospect pool is set to change drastically.
We have entered a new paradigm. That much is clear.
Unlike in the days of Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, Slafkovsky, Hutson, and company, many prospects in this pool will likely never wear a Habs uniform during their careers.
A significant number—perhaps as many as half—are even far more likely to be traded in the coming months or years than to play as regulars in Montreal.
Therefore, we felt it was imperative to reduce the weighting of value in use and increase that of trade value, since many prospects will inevitably move on to other teams in the coming years.
For utility value, we will therefore switch from a score out of 30 to a score out of 20.
For trade value, we'll also switch from a score out of 10 to a score out of 20.
Without making this an exact science—far from it!—I believe this new weighting will better reflect the true value of the prospects and, therefore, their overall importance within the organization.
Please note that positions 15 through 13 have also been revised in light of this new weighting, though the overall ranking remains unchanged.
We're now ready for spots 12 through 10!
12. Tim Runtso, DD
Potential: 30.5/40
Confidence: 12.5/20
Usage Value: 13.5/20
Trade Value: 13/20
Total: 69.5/100
Here's the “new kid on the block”!
Potential
: Oddly enough, Runtso's selection reminds me a bit of Hayden Paupanekis, whom we generously ranked 10th at this same time last year. We know how that turned out—Paupanekis came down with mononucleosis last fall and never quite regained his momentum upon his return. We'll see how things turn out next season in the NCAA at St. Cloud State University…
Runtso (47th), however, was selected earlier than Paupanekis was last year (69th). The Canadiens even “moved up” to ensure they'd select him. So we can certainly imagine that the Californian was quite a bit higher on Bobrov and Lapointe's list.
But Runtso, like Paupanekis, was clearly chosen first and foremost for his very well-rounded skill set. That's the main similarity.
Big, tall, with a good dose of natural talent. The kind of prospect you enjoy working with, telling yourself you might reap some nice rewards in four or five years.
After being a key player on a very average team in Victoria in the WHL, Runtso, like Paupanekis, also chose to continue his career in the NCAA. In Runtso's case, that will be at Miami University (in Ohio!). Not the most prestigious hockey program, let's be honest, but Timofei should get plenty of ice time…
That said, let's not beat around the bush either. Given that he was drafted in his second year of eligibility, there's a certain mystery surrounding Runtso's true potential—much like there still is with Bryce Pickford.
At first glance, while he's no Cale Makar, the tall right-hander still possesses undeniable offensive flair. He makes excellent use of his reading of the game, his hands, his long reach, and his shot to cause damage in the opponent's zone.
Tim Runtso was ranked #53 on Central Scouting's NA list. He has become VIC's best player after going undrafted last year.
A high-energy player who tilts the ice. Effective in all zones. Has some mobility and size. Could be a second-round pick.
Check out this beastly overtime shift (#5, blue): pic.twitter.com/7DavQQEJFt
— Ben Misfeldt (@BBMHockey) January 17, 2026
In his case, it's the improvements he can make to his back-checking, his physicality, and the finer points of his defensive play that will determine his future.
All of this suggests that Runtso's ultimate ceiling—he was recently invited by the U.S. to participate in the Summer Showcase leading up to the upcoming World Junior Championship—may be that of a fourth defenseman. But his floor is likely that of a solid AHL defenseman.
Still, he's considered a long shot to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the upcoming World Junior Championship. But at 19 or 20 years old, it will be interesting to see the kind of impact he makes in the NCAA. Around 20 points in 40 games, while remaining relatively reliable on the blue line, would be an encouraging start.
Confidence
Keen readers will have already guessed that the level of confidence in Runtso reaching his full potential—or at the very least making it to the NHL—can't be very high at the time of this writing.
There are “a truckload” of “toolbox” prospects—selected in the second or third rounds who have never managed to fully capitalize on their talents, as the saying goes…
But those who take it seriously—who continue to build on their strengths and minimize the impact of their weaknesses—often achieve interesting results.
We'll see, in due time, on which side of the story we'll be able to place Runtso.
Value to the Organization
When a team goes out of its way in the draft to select a right-handed defenseman with Runtso's tools, it's because they view him as somewhat “special” and already see a certain value in him. In that sense, Runtso certainly already holds considerable value in the eyes of his bosses.
Whether we like it or not, as we mentioned earlier in our coverage of Cooper Cleaves, there will be movement on the right side of the defense: only Dobson is guaranteed to stay put for the foreseeable future.
1) Carrier is expected to leave at the end of next season.
2) Reinbacher will either make the jump to the Habs or be traded. Some cynics might even see his name on the long-term injured list…
3) As for Pickford, he'll initially be a project in Laval, especially following his shoulder surgery. He may have a future in Montreal as a replacement for Carrier or Struble, but he's also a pretty attractive trade chip.
In short, the “Runtso project”—whether he's allowed to develop patiently or traded—provides plenty of flexibility and adds significant depth to the organization's pool of right-handed defensemen.
That's his main value for now. In theory, a value pick at No. 47.
Potential: 29/40
Confidence: 13/20
Usage Value: 14/20
Trade Value: 13/20
Total: 69.5/100
It's up to him to seize his opportunity in Montreal!
Potential
Much like Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj was a bit of a disappointment for the organization last season. Had he set expectations too high by exceeding them in his first season in Laval? Were his 24 goals just a mirage? Had luck been a little too on his side?
Maybe a little bit of all that…
That said, Xhekaj's stats weren't light-years away from those of his first season, and his play didn't decline overall. It's just that he didn't improve as much as anticipated.
Xhekaj therefore remains the prospect we believe is best suited to fill the need for toughness at the bottom of the lineup.
Confidence
Florian isn't that far from the NHL. He already played a few games there last season, and it's not impossible that he could blow everyone away at camp and earn a spot as early as this fall. At worst, he could get called up at some point during the season.
Nick Bobrov's famous “unicorn” has never taken anything for granted and trains with dedication. No one seems to have anything negative to say about his work ethic.
In short, if we view Xhekaj as someone capable of doing everything we could hope for from a fourth-line player, it's hard to see how his “little brother” could fail to deliver.
It'll take as long as it takes.
Value to the Organization
Even after the Habs' elimination by the Caps in the spring of 2025, Gorton and Hughes had stated that the need for toughness and big bodies could be filled from within. That's why they likely would have liked to see more from Xhekaj last year—a rare find in the organization.
But players like Florian—big, physical players drafted in later rounds—often need a few more years to refine their game. So no one here is really alarmed.
As such, Xhekaj remains the top prospect poised to soon fill this very real need at the bottom of the roster. He still has that “unicorn” quality so dear to Nick Bobrov!
FIRST NHL GAME AND FLORIAN XHEKAJ IS CHUCKING KNUCKS WITH DAKOTA MERMIS
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 23, 2025
That's why his utility value is slightly higher than his trade value.
Gallagher left, then Kent Hughes didn't offer Veleno a new contract; he didn't go out and find a comparable replacement on the free-agent market and didn't see fit to trade for that kind of skater.
Add to that the fact that he didn't renew Josh Anderson's contract, even though he could have done so as early as July 1…
As a result, Xhekaj's value in use—his rarity and utility—remains once again quite high this summer. With his rugged style, the “other guy's brother” can play center or wing and could potentially kill penalties.
But you can also bet a few dollars that Florian Xhekaj remains a relatively frequent name on Kent Hughes's phone… and that Hughes believes he's worth more to him than the equivalent of a third-round pick.
Potential: 31/40
Confidence: 14/20
Usage Value: 12.5/20
Trade Value: 13.5/20
Total: 71/100
Him again!!!
Potential
With his 34-point season in 45 games combined with a +14 plus/minus rating, many analysts viewed Engstrom as one of the top two or three defensemen in the AHL last season. It's hard to argue otherwise.
Anyone who has watched the Rocket on a regular basis over the past few seasons has seen just how often Engstrom manages to dominate at this level. His skating alone is in a league of its own in the AHL.
But the 15 games he played last year with the Habs gave us a clearer look at his weaknesses in his own zone, particularly in front of his net, where he didn't seem very interested in disrupting the forwards who were hanging around there. These are the kinds of plays that often look very bad and don't sit well with coaches or teammates… In general, he also needs to learn to simplify his game in his own zone.
Otherwise, with the puck, in transition, and in the offensive zone, Engstrom looked comfortable and confident and was able to showcase his greatest strengths.
The team that decides to give him a real chance in the NHL will have to live with his strengths and weaknesses, but it's certain they'll be banking on a pretty good “puck mover.”
If he ever wants to carve out a niche for himself on a third—or even a second—pair, however, we'd recommend he take a cue from a player like Brett Kulak, who has managed to become a defenseman who is both mobile AND reliable.
Confidence
It's becoming increasingly clear that Engstrom will soon be playing full-time somewhere in the NHL. After two full seasons in Laval, plus two more years in the SHL, he doesn't have much left to learn in the lower leagues, where he can almost do whatever he wants on the ice without facing sufficient consequences.
If a team shows a little patience while he adjusts his game to the NHL level, the team that gives him an opportunity could reap a nice reward.
Value to the Organization
The million-dollar question now is whether the Canadiens are that team. Montreal already relies on Hutson, Matheson, and Dobson in “puck-moving” roles. By that measure, even Guhle and Carrier are capable of some mobility with the puck…
In that regard, it's said that Engstrom was the defenseman whose name was discussed most frequently on Kent Hughes's phone line during the trade deadline…
Year after year, it seems Engstrom always ends up ranked between 8th and 12th in this tally. That's far from a flaw, but it does indicate a certain ceiling within the organization.
For now, the Swede will have to take the spot of A. Xhekaj, Struble, or Carrier and make sure to stay ahead of Reinbacher to play a certain number of games in Montreal over the coming months. That's a tall order.
Not only will the team want to give Reinbacher every opportunity to prove himself, but can the Canadiens afford to lose the physicality of Struble or Xhekaj? Not to mention that both of them do have certain skills with the puck, especially Struble…
In short, Engstrom's utility value in Montreal isn't very high, and it would take quite a statement from him at training camp for that to change. In addition to leaving everyone in the dust with his exceptional speed, he'll have to prove himself as the champion of consistency and efficiency to get ahead of the others.
It's far from a done deal for him.
From where I'm standing, I'd say the chances of seeing Engstrom back on this list next summer as a member of the Montreal organization don't seem very high to me. A former third-round pick, the Swede is worth at least the equivalent of a second-round pick in 2026.
We'll be back next week with the intriguing spots 9 through 7!
In the meantime, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Facebook regarding the changes made to the weighting of usage and trade values!
