Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler, and Max Bultman released their latest 2026 NHL mock draft for The Athletic [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7295447/2026/05/27/nhl-mock-draft-2026-round-1-gm/]. For the Montreal Canadiens, Bultman predicted that the Habs would select defenseman William Hakansson with their first-round pick. Hakansson is certainly an intriguing prospect in this year's draft. The 6-foot-4 blueliner would have the potential to be a nice addition to the Canadiens' prospect pool, as he has the tools to emerge as an impactful shutdown defenseman at the NHL level. Hakansson appeared in 22 games this season with Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League, where he had two assists and a plus-1 rating. He also played for Almtuna IS of HockeyAllsvenskan on a loan, where he had two goals, four assists, and 39 penalty minutes in 16 games. If the Canadiens selected Hakansson in the first round, they would be bringing in a big defenseman with good upside. While he is not the flashiest of players when it comes to his offense, his steady defensive play could make him a nice pickup for a Canadiens club on the rise.
