Logan Sawyer (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
When the Montreal Canadiens selected Logan Sawyer in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft, 78th overall, they were drafting projection as much as production. At the time, Sawyer was playing for the Brooks Bandits in the BCHL, developing into a physically intriguing forward with intelligence and size, but still very much a long-term investment rather than an immediate headline prospect.
Shortly after being drafted by Montreal, Sawyer faced a pivotal decision about his development path. He could return to junior hockey, where familiarity and offensive opportunity might have boosted his numbers, or he could accelerate the challenge and arrive at Providence College a year ahead of schedule, stepping directly into Hockey East competition.
“After the draft, I came down here for the month, and I didn’t know if I was going to stay, if I was going to come here,” said Sawyer in a one-on-one interview with RG. “Then had a bunch of meetings with Coach Lehman, and he said that he thinks that I’m ready to come in. Talked with my parents and my agent, and we decided that I think it would be the best opportunity for development to come here. It was a lot harder than what Junior A would have been, but I think it got me a lot better than I would have gotten in Junior A.”
The Canadiens organization deliberately avoided influencing that choice, allowing Sawyer to take ownership of his own progression rather than dictating the timeline.
“They didn’t want to persuade me one way or another,” Sawyer said. “They just said you do you.”
As a freshman at Providence, the adjustment showed in measurable ways. He finished his rookie season with six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 37 games, averaging 0.43 points per game in one of the most defensively structured conferences in the country. The production was respectable for a first-year NCAA forward, but it reflected a player learning the pace and physicality of college hockey rather than dominating it.
Providence’s identity demands structure and patience, and Sawyer quickly understood that scoring would not be the only metric that mattered.
“Most of our games are pretty low scoring,” Sawyer explained. “We’re winning by one, two goals. So it’s different even just being in those types of games, playing the right way, not going out there to try to score, but to try to win.”
That adjustment from chasing offense to prioritizing results became foundational in his development, even if it did not immediately produce eye-catching statistics.
Bigger, Stronger, and Producing
So far this season, the sophomore leap has been both visible and measurable.
Through 27 games this season, Sawyer has already recorded 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points, surpassing last year’s 16-point total in 10 fewer games.
The goal-scoring increase is particularly striking. After finding the net six times in 37 games last season, he has already doubled that total in 27 contests this year. The improvement is tied directly to physical growth.
“I gained 20, 25 pounds over the summer,” Sawyer said. “I’m almost 6’3″ now, and I think I just kind of grew into my body.”
Now sitting between 195 and 200 pounds, Sawyer has added noticeable power without sacrificing mobility. The added strength has allowed him to protect pucks more effectively along the boards, drive inside more confidently, and generate higher-quality attempts in the slot.
“It’s definitely a confidence thing,” Sawyer said. “When you’re scoring, you’re scoring. It just feels a little easier right now.”
The surge has not been accidental, and Sawyer credits refinement in how he approaches shooting situations rather than simply relying on luck.
“You got to change up your shot angle, where you’re shooting,” Sawyer said. “If you shoot in the same spot, the goalie is going to know where you’re going.”
That willingness to adjust his release points and vary his attack has made him less predictable and more difficult to scout. Playing as a left shot on the right wing has only enhanced that dimension of his game.
“It allows me to be open to the ice,” Sawyer said. “I’m coming down the right side, I’m always on my forehand.”
Beyond strength and technique, his processing speed has improved significantly since his freshman season.
“I think I’ve just gotten comfortable with the speed of everything,” Sawyer said. “I think I’m able to slow down the game a lot. I think I have really good hockey IQ, so I’m able to see what’s open kind of before other guys see what’s open.”
The statistical jump aligns closely with that mental growth, which would hint that his increased production is sustainable rather than situational.
Iron Sharpens Iron at Providence
At Providence, it’s all about what the team needs you to do. Sometimes it can come at the expense of offense, but when paired with the right players, the offensive spark can come in bursts.
Sawyer has been able to score in bursts and impose himself offensively in tight games, particularly through his close partnership with Chicago Blackhawks prospect John Mustard. Their chemistry is rooted in familiarity as much as skill.
“Me and Musty were best friends. We were roommates. We lived together last year and this year,” said Sawyer.
Living together and sharing daily routines has translated into instinctive reads on the ice, allowing them to anticipate rather than react.
“When I’m playing with him, I think we got really good chemistry,” Sawyer added.
Mustard’s speed introduces a dynamic that forces defensive structures to stretch, which in turn opens space for Sawyer to exploit.
“He’s so fast,” Sawyer said. “So it’s pretty easy to just dish him the puck and let him buzz down the wing and try to get open.”
That pace widens coverage gaps and creates interior seams, and Sawyer has become increasingly adept at identifying those openings. The jump from six goals to twelve this season reflects not only physical maturity but also a sharper understanding of timing and spatial awareness within structured systems.
“It really helps when you have a guy that sees the ice so well, he makes things easier for us on the ice,” added Sawyer.
Providence’s competitive environment extends beyond one line. With high-end talent such as Roger McQueen in the lineup, the Friars have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders within Hockey East.
“We finished seventh in the country last year. No one ever talks about us, though,” Sawyer said. “I’ll go under the radar my whole career and just keep proving people wrong.”
That mindset, grounded in steady improvement rather than external validation, mirrors his trajectory within Montreal’s prospect pool.
The Canadiens, Michael Hage, and the Weight of the Crest
The Montreal Canadiens did their homework on Sawyer prior to drafting him and have been in touch with him ever since he first put on the Canadiens jersey in 2024.
Montreal’s development staff, especially Rob Ramage, has maintained consistent contact throughout Sawyer’s progression, ensuring that the organization’s expectations remain aligned with his growth.
“Rob’s awesome,” Sawyer said of development director Rob Ramage. “He’s come down here a bunch of times this year and takes me out for a nice dinner every time. It’s been really, really good communication with them. All positive stuff. Tell me things to work on. Tell me things that I’ve been doing good.”
Skills coach Adam Nicholas emphasized two focal points: creating more separation before releasing his shot and adding functional strength.
“Something that I was working on with Adam last year was kind of just creating a little bit more space, being able to get my shot off,” Sawyer said. “And then it was just to get stronger.”
Both improvements are now evident in his sophomore performance.
Sawyer also shares a long-standing connection with fellow Canadiens prospect Michael Hage. The two grew up in the same Toronto hockey circles and faced each other regularly in youth tournaments.
“I played against him my whole life growing up, so I know how good he is,” Sawyer said. “He’s a very good player, super talented. He controls the game really well.”
The familiarity between them extends beyond casual competition.
“Everyone from Toronto knows everyone from Toronto. We’ve played against each other our whole lives,” Sawyer added, reflecting on the interconnected nature of that hockey community.
If both players continue on their developmental paths, that shared history could become organizational chemistry down the road.
Montreal’s front office has emphasized wanting players with a competitive edge in addition to skill, and Sawyer believes that mentality aligns with his own identity.
On a recent episode of the Basu and Godin show, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes spoke about adding players with that “F U” kind of mentality on the ice.
When brought up to Sawyer, he felt he fit that description quite well.
“I love that attitude,” Sawyer said. “Big games bring out big players, and I think I elevate my game a lot in those situations. So I think I got a lot of ‘F you’ in my game, which is good.”
At nearly 6 foot 3 and approaching 200 pounds, with his production nearly doubling from 16 points in 37 games to 23 points in 27 games, that competitive edge becomes increasingly significant in projecting his future role.
He understands the environment he is working toward in Montreal.
“Obviously the love that the fans have for the Canadiens is insane,” Sawyer said. “I think that’s really, really cool.”
He has already begun experiencing that connection firsthand.
“Yeah, I’ve had fans reach out,” Sawyer said. “I try to respond to them and everything because I think it’s nice of them to reach out.”
For now, Logan Sawyer remains a quieter name within Montreal’s system. But the progression from a 16-point freshman season to a 23-point sophomore campaign in fewer games, paired with substantial physical growth and increasing confidence, suggests that the trajectory is not accidental.
In a development model that prioritizes steady improvement over instant hype, he may not remain underrated for much longer.