ESPN released their mid-season NHL prospect rankings (Insider subscription required to view), and Mikhail Sergachev is high on the list. The big Russian defender is the only Montreal Canadiens prospect in the Top 50, though fellow OHL defenceman Victor Mete earned an honourable mention.

Mikhail Sergachev

Sergachev comes in at number 11, climbing 27 positions from last year’s position at 38.

“[Sergachev] has been pretty good, albeit not amazing, in both the OHL and at the World Juniors, but he's still tracking to get a roster spot in Montreal next season,” reads his profile, written by Corey Pronman. “His skating is ridiculous for a big defenceman, and I've been very impressed by how calmly and efficiently he has been moving the puck this season. I also like that his defensive game seems a little sharper.”

He placed third in our 2016 Top 25 Under 25. It is important to recognize that the ESPN list doesn't include any players currently in the NHL, and players are ineligible after 25 NHL games in a season or 50 games in their career.

Victor Mete

Mete was given an honourable mention by the ESPN panel for his performance in the with the London Knights.

He was ranked at number 17 in the Top 25 Under 25 in his first year of eligibility after being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.