#54 Dmitri KostenkoDefenceman – 23 – Amur Khabarovsk (KHL)Two rounds earlier in the 2021 NHL Draft, Montreal has selected another Russian defenceman, Dmitri Kostenko. Last season he played a total of 19 games in the VHL, and had seven points. As slim as the hope was for a seventh-rounder to turn into an NHL player, it seems that is dashed now as he founders in the Russian system. Royston ended 2025-26 with 19 points in 59 games, down from his 27 points the previous year. #47 Andrew MacNielDefenceman – 19 – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)One of the youngest members of the 2025 NHL Draft class, Andrew MacNiel was a sixth-round pick of the Canadiens.