Mooney delivered an excellent freshman year with the University of Minnesota, posting seven goals and 23 assists for 30 points in 34 games. He drove offense consistently, tying for the team lead with nine multi-point outings and producing 18 points in 18 games against top-10 opponents – a clear indicator of big game potential from a player who always seems to rise to the occasion. A seven-game point streak in January showcased his ability to take over stretches of play, and he earned immediate trust from coaches at both ends of the ice.

Grabbing a player as skilled as Mooney in the fourth round is money for Montreal. If not for his size, he has all the work ethic and skill of a first-round pick. It is statistically known that smaller players have less of a chance of being an NHL regular – but I would bet that he breaks that mold. Having a chance to watch him play at the World Junior Summer Showcase, he plays the game with heart and the kind you can’t teach – similar to Gallagher. He drives the net hard, he battles in corners, and he isn’t afraid to get hit. Some might say he gets hit too often, but that’s just the way he plays – he is a warrior. Mooney is also very skilled offensively. He skates very well, has great edges, and is known for his elite vision. His desire to set up his linemates for chances is what makes him such a good hockey player. He stood out right away at the Canadiens development camp, and I can’t wait to track his progress this year at the University of Minnesota.

Selected 113th overall, L.J. Mooney is now a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

A very fast, intense forward with a hard shot who, ultimately, finds themselves on the perimeter more often than you would like.

His skill level is the defining feature of his projection. Mooney’s hands and feet are extremely quick, allowing him to make plays at high speed and beat defenders with ease. He trains with Logan Cooley and reportedly grades out even better in some skill areas at the same age, though at 5-7, his size remains the biggest variable in his NHL outlook. There is optimism he could grow closer to 5-10 like his father, but even if he doesn’t, his upside is significant.

The key developmental areas are his scanning habits, off-puck routes and shot volume. He can rely on pure skill to solve problems, which sometimes works against him in structured play. When engaged and reading the game, though, his passing accuracy and pace make him a dangerous dual-threat creator.

Mooney’s ceiling resembles players like Johnny Gaudreau if he can refine the mental side, while a more median outcome might look like Nick Robertson. His floor remains low due to size and durability concerns, but after a strong first year, he is one of the Montreal Canadiens’ most intriguing long-term swings.

Final Ranking – A skilled forward with high-end vision, intensity and speed, though he needs to find the middle and leverage his shot more often to find success at higher levels.—

After a scary leg injury early in the year, I think it’s fair to say that most wrote-off Mooney. Credit to him, Mooney was able to come back, return to form, play 51 NTDP games (and the full U18s), and built on his 2024/25 totals with a productive, point-per-game season. However, as a smaller player who—despite his shot—leans significantly on perimeter, transition playmaking, and struggles to gain the middle in Junior, Mooney will be plagued by translatability questions until he can incontrovertibly prove the doubters wrong.—Luke Sweeney