Riley Kidney was moved to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Hunter Shepard and Jake Chiasson. Kidney’s ELC has expired following the culmination of the 2025-2026 season, and he will be looking to earn a new pact with the Senators. The 22 year-old shuffled between the AHL and ECHL affiliates of both the Senators and Canadiens, mustering 11 goals and 25 assists in 57 games between squads. Kidney will have to impress at camp, or show a standout skill to earn an extended look at the professional level. There are more exciting options out there.

Kidney’s 2024-2025 effort with Laval of the AHL was very similar to that of the year prior. He played 10 fewer games, but saw identical assists per game and penalty minutes per game. His goals and shot rates both decreased. It goes without saying that a 22 year-old still has time to develop his game and earn an NHL roster spot, but in fantasy, if we are to invest draft capital and roster space to hold prospects, we’d hope have better performance or more growth and progression that we have seen from Kidney so far. That he earned six powerplay points in 2023-2024, and not one last season does not bode well. As the depth chart in Montreal grows overtop of him, and his performance in the AHL stagnates, the hype that once surrounded him is waning. It is worth noting that his involvement in the offense at even-strength, his IPP, increased to 76%. It might not be enough however, as Kidney is currently not a valuable stash in all but the deepest leagues.

Riley Kidney’s first AHL campaign did not go as hoped, as he struggled to find a good spot for himself in the Laval Rocket lineup. 20 points in 65 games did not fulfill his offensive potential, and his defense and physicality were also lacking. While he has grown to be 6-0 and 176 pounds, he is struggling to fight off professional pressure. He is still very young, and will have several years to develop before trying to crack the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup.

The ‘Adam Nicholas Effect’ is no more evident than in Riley Kidney. Who was an entirely perimeter playmaker with serious defensive question marks has become an impressively projectable middle-six winger. He attacks the middle much more, and he has become more creative in evading big hits into the boards. His slight frame will make him an easy target in the AHL next season (most likely), but it will allow him to display exactly what type of pro player he can become. If he hits, he could become a very fun player for Habs fans, or a fantastic trade chip with the Canadiens’ impressive quantity of middle-six forwards.

Kidney has produced very well in his D+1 season in the QMJHL on an excellent Acadie Bathurst team, building upon his hot streak in last year’s playoffs. Kidney is a talented playmaker with good hands and skill. He has scored his fair share of highlight-reel goals this season, but concerns about his projectability remain. While Kidney has the skill to exploit QMJHL-level defence, he relies upon the extra time and space he will not have at the pro level. He is also pushed to the perimeter in the offensive zone on almost every possession. Struggling to attack the middle against the weak defences of the QMJHL demonstrates Kidney’s biggest hurdle in transitioning his offensive skill and production to the next level. However, if he is able to adapt his game and learn to attack the middle with his hands and his playmaking abilities, he has the upside to turn into a creative second liner.