Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton and Nick Bobrov once again find themselves under heavy fire from critics.
While Matvei Michkov’s exceptional season, despite ups and downs with the Philadelphia Flyers, continues to reignite debates on the controversial choice of David Reinbacher, another name is added to the list of Montreal regrets: Ryan Leonard .
Compared to the Tkachuk brothers for his passion and intensity, Leonard is proving that he could have been a centerpiece for the Canadian.
But Montreal preferred to play the caution card with Reinbacher, and Quebec does not seem ready to forgive this decision.
Ryan Leonard, selected 8th overall by the Washington Capitals, was described as a modern version of Brady Tkachuk, with a mix of energy, talent and character that would have been a perfect fit for a team like the Canadiens.
His impact during the 2025 World Junior Championship only strengthens this comparison. With inspired performances, both offensively, defensively and physically, Leonard has established himself as one of the most promising young leaders of his generation.
“He is our captain because he is ready to leave his life on the ice. He motivates the troops to join the battle with him. He manages to transmit this emotion and this desire to win to our players” said David Carle, the head coach of the United States.
This type of player, capable of transforming the energy of a match and embodying the soul of a team, is exactly what the Canadian is currently lacking.
Leonard is not only an offensive talent, but also an agitator, a player capable of disrupting the opposition while inspiring his teammates.
The choice of David Reinbacher in 5th place in 2023 continues to divide. still on the sidelines, he has not yet proven that he can justify being preferred to talents like Michkov or Leonard.
These two players possess qualities that could have met Montreal’s pressing needs: an elite scorer and a fiery leader.
Leonard, in particular, could have embodied the intensity and boldness that the Habs often lack. His style of play, similar to that of the Tkachuk brothers, would have breathed a new identity into a team in search of character.
Each game of Michkov and Leonard reminds Montreal fans of what could have been. Meanwhile, Reinbacher evolves in the shadow of these two rising stars.
It’s difficult to take justice into your own hands when you’re injured. Leonard shines with his intensity and leadership, while Michkov accumulates points and captivates the crowds with his exceptional talent.
These comparisons are inevitable and only fuel the frustration of supporters.
Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton and Nick Bobrov are up to their necks in hot water. The choice of Reinbacher is seen as a conservative decision, even driven by fear, in a context where the Canadian needed to make an offensive splash.
Quebec will perhaps never forgive this trio for having ignored two generational talents like Michkov and Leonard.
While the latter continue to captivate the NHL, the Canadiens are stuck with a fragile defensive defenseman who has already lost a year of development.
If Reinbacher doesn’t become an elite defender, this move could go down in history as one of the team’s worst draft mistakes.
For Kent Hughes and his partners, it is time for regrets.
Ryan Leonard was more than just a talented prospect for Kent Hughes. Knowing the player personally from his years as a family counselor in Massachusetts, Hughes had already seen Leonard’s qualities up close.
During the NHL Combine in June 2023, Hughes did not hold back from comparing Leonard to Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, two players that Montreal fans would have loved to see play for their team.
“He’s a guy who plays in the style of Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. He’s aggressive, intense and gives his all in every shift,” Hughes said enthusiastically.
The player himself, familiar with Hughes and Martin St-Louis, felt a special connection during his interview with the Canadian.
There have been persistent rumors that Kent Hughes wanted to select Leonard, but was outplayed by Jeff Gorton and Nick Bobrov, who saw David Reinbacher as a must-have pick.
Hughes, known for his team spirit, never let on that he disagreed with his colleagues. But this internal error raises questions: why ignore a player that Hughes knew so well, and who seemed to fit the Canadian’s needs perfectly?
Some argue that Hughes, despite being GM, had to give in to pressure from Gorton and Bobrov, who absolutely wanted to add a right-handed defenseman to the organization.
The decision, now contested, could explain why Hughes is described as “a team guy” willing to put aside his own preferences to preserve unity within the ruling group.
“He plays with passion, he hits hard, he scores. He’s the type of player who makes the difference,” said one NHL scout.
For a market like Montreal, where fans value players who leave everything on the ice, Leonard would have been a perfect choice, both athletically and emotionally.
It’s hard to imagine that Kent Hughes doesn’t feel some bitterness about this decision. Having known Leonard for years, having seen his qualities up close, and knowing how much he would have been appreciated in Montreal, Hughes must now live with the decision to have ignored him.
Each brilliant performance by Leonard in a Washington Capitals uniform reinforces this regret.
“I’m sure Hughes is having restless nights thinking about Leonard. This choice is beyond his control, and he knows he would have been a hero in Montreal if he had insisted on getting it,” confides another recruiter.
Each match between Michkov and Leonard is a reminder of what could have been, and the Canadian’s leading trio will certainly sleep badly.
Especially since the CH is now in the race for the playoffs…and will never again have the chance to draft top 5.
Fortunately, Ivan Demidov will become a prodigy and save the Gorton-Hughes-Bobrov trio.
Let’s hope that Quebec ends up forgiving them.
