Feisty forward Jared Davidson kicks off the top 15 of our annual Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings, as chosen by Habs fans.
As a reminder, to qualify for our list, Habs prospects must under 24 years old and have fewer than 75 NHL games under their belt. The rankings are based on the votes from almost 10,000 Canadiens fans.
15. Jared Davidson C/W, Shoots Left, 23, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’0″, 185 lb. Picked 130th Overall (2022)
Generally speaking, I try to do my best to avoid any personal bias when discussing Montreal Canadiens prospects. All that really matters are the on-ice results, and succumbing to preconceived notions about a particular player tends to lead to low-quality analysis.
But every once in a while, some bias shines through, and that’s certainly the case for Davidson.
I don’t personally know him, nor was I part of a curling team with his cousin. The reason behind my bias is rather simple, Davidson epitomizes excitement, and as a hockey fan I tend to gravitate toward players who make the sport a little more entertaining.
Admittedly, I’m a sucker for hip checks, one-timers, fights, and double-pad stacks, which is why I will always have time for Rob Blake, Jari Kurri, Bob Probert, and Mike Liut highlights. I also have fond memories of Consumers Distributing, but that’s nostalgia discussion for another day.
Whenever Davidson is on the ice, it’s almost as if 1980s hockey and modern skill development had a baby. The first part is very important to me, but the latter is what really drives Davidson’s value to the Montreal Canadiens.
Davidson makes the most out of every shift, landing big hits with regularity, while wreaking havoc in the offensive zone. He almost always heads to high-danger areas, and whenever the opportunity arises he unleashes his greatest offensive strength, an elite one-timer.
Jared Davidson’s Impressive Sophomore Campaign
Davidson did not flourish during his rookie season in the AHL, but like most young players, the issue was usage. He was often designated as a healthy scratch, and though he did add energy to the mix whenever Jean-Francois Houle gave him a few shifts, you’d be hard-pressed to say it was the type of year that would instill the level of confidence needed to one day play in the NHL.
Enter Pascal Vincent, the head coach who replaced Houle and quickly led the team to their best record in franchise history.
Just as he did with Sean Farrell, Vincent saw something in Davidson, which led to an uptick in scoring, and, shockingly, a higher production level from the 23-year-old.
Davidson scored just 11 goals and five assists in 38 games under Houle, but he managed 24 goals and 21 assists in 69 games with Vincent at the helm. Another way of looking at it is that Davidson tied his rookie goal-scoring mark by December 11th, and he did so while mostly being used on the fourth line, a very impressive feat to say the least.
It should also be noted that Davidson improved his standing within the team by leaps and bounds. He finished his rookie campaign as the 16th most productive player, whereas his sophomore campaign saw him finish the year with the third-most points among all Laval Rocket players.
He formed an exciting duo with fellow rough-and-tumble forward Florian Xhekaj, inciting violence on the ice while also putting an onus on scoring many more goals than anyone could have reasonably expected. For the record, Xhekaj also scored 24 goals while mostly playing on the fourth line.
Jared Davidson giving up a fair bit of size against Cade Webber, and he wins this fight. pic.twitter.com/4CbJCToWL8
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) February 8, 2025
Davidson’s Potential Montreal Canadiens Impact
If I had to pick a dark horse player heading into the 2025 NHL training camp, it would definitely be Davidson.
He works harder than most of his teammates, and his penchant for controlled violence would fit in nicely with a young lineup that is cultivating a wolf pack-mentality as they emerge from the dark and dusty basement of the NHL.
Of course, the odds are stacked against him and the competition will be fierce, but if history is any indication, betting against Davidson is a bad decision.
He needs to improve his skating, the glaring weakness in his game, but given his versatility, nose for the net, and high-end motor, I feel confident saying he will eventually get a legitimate chance to make the Canadiens lineup in a bottom-six role.
What’s Next For Montreal Canadiens Prospect Jared Davidson?
If Davidson fails to earn a roster spot at camp he will be loaned to the Laval Rocket, where he will serve as a sniper, as well as an energizing presence in the lineup. He’s exempt from waivers until 2027-28, which means there’s no risk the Habs will lose him to a team that is looking to take advantage of their prospect surplus.
Another very solid season in the AHL would go a long way in confirming that Davidson’s breakout campaign was not a fluke, but rather, a result of a coach making a smart decision to use a player in a role that allows him to excel, not to mention a prospect who will never be accused of taking a shift off.
Jared Davidson scored on a one-timer, because that’s what he does. He’s enjoying a great season.
Laval has scored five goals in the third period after coughing up an early lead. A statement game for the Rocket, who have stumbled of late.#GoHabsGO pic.twitter.com/zBZY7umu4F
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 15, 2024
Previously Published 2025 Montreal Canadiens Prospect Articles:
Canadiens Prospect Rankings No.17 Sean Farrell
Canadiens Prospect Rankings No.16 Vinzenz Rohrer
Montreal Canadiens Top Prospect Rankings – Final List
Do you agree or disagree with the Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings? Let us know in the comments below!
Montreal Canadiens and Jared Davidson statistics via Elite Prospects.
