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Meet the Canadiens
Forwards
Montreal Canadiens Rostered Forwards
LW Jonathan Drouin - 26 Years Old
2020/21 Stats: 81 GP 21 G 34 A -22 (Montreal)
Cap Hit: $5,500,000
Acquired: Drafted 1st Round 3rd Overall by Tampa Bay in 2013.
Comment: Drouin has never really lived up to his lofty draft status in Tampa or in Montreal but is still a serviceable player. He was amongst the Canadiens leaders in points and games played and at just 26 years old is still in his prime. He is penciled in as the top line LW and the #1 power play unit. He is also a pretty valuable trade chip and could find himself on the trade block to bring in some more assets for the rebuild.
C Max Domi - 26 Years Old
2020/21 Stats: 81 GP 8 G 26 A -21 (Montreal)
Cap Hit: $4,950,000
Acquired: Drafted 1st Round 12th Overall (London, OHL) by Phoenix in 2013.
Comment: Domi’s offensive output has declined considerably over the last few seasons culminating with just 8 goals in 81 games last year. He was relegated to 3rd line duties for most of the season and that might have been a contributing factor. Depending on how the off season goes he may move back up into the #2 center role or he could find himself on the trade block as a fresh start may be beneficial to both parties.
RW Nick Suzuki - 21 Years Old
2020/21 Stats: 80 GP 11 G 35 A -8 (Montreal)
Cap Hit: $863,333
Acquired: Drafted 1st Round 13th Overall by Las Vegas in 2018.
Comment: Suzuki is the first of a pair of the Habs biggest young guns that has already cracked the roster. He surged up the lineup eventually settling in as the top line RW and he was very good in that role. He should be a top point producer for the Canadiens for many years to come, and at just 21 could still have some potential inside that he hasn’t tapped into yet.
LW/RW Artturi Lehkonen - 25 Years Old
2020/21 Stats: 73 GP 13 G 20 A -6 (Montreal)
Cap Hit: $2,400,000
Acquired: Drafted 2nd Round 55th Overall by Montreal in 2013.
Comment: Lehkonen is a jack of all trades for the Canadiens. He can play up and down the lineup and can chip in offensively as well. I really like him as a 3rd line winger who is able to kill penalties and can fill in on the top two lines when needed.
C Jesperi Kotkaniemi - 20 Years Old
[B]2020/21 Stats:[/B79 GP 17 G 13 A -18 (Montreal)
Cap Hit: $925,000
Acquired: Drafted 1st Round 3rd Overall by Montreal in 2018.
Comment: The second young gun on the Habs roster. He is the heir apparent to the top line C spot and will get the bulk of the playing time there and on the power play this year. I have high hopes that he and Suzuki can be a force for many years to come. I consider the two as the core of the team moving forward and the goal will be to surround them with players that can complement them nicely.
RW/LW Jesse Ylonen - 21 Years Old
2020/21 Stats: 41 GP 11 G 20 A -1 (Laval)
Cap Hit: $700,000
Acquired: Drafted 2nd Round 35th Overall by Montreal in 2018.
Comment: Ylonen is a speedy Finnish winger who profiles as a setup guy and who should get pile up a lot of assists. He had a good season in Laval last year, it was his first taste of professional hockey scoring 31 points in 41 games. He will likely start as the 2nd line winger and his versatility (being able to play both the left and right side) will make him a valuable part of the second line.
C/LW Ryan Poehling - 22 Years Old
2020/21 Stats: 76 GP 5 G 10 A -11 (Montreal)
Cap Hit: $990,000
Acquired: Drafted 1st Round 25th Overall by Montreal in 2017.
Comment: Poehling hasn’t lived up to the expectations as a goal scorer that were placed on him when he was selected in the 1st round by the Canadiens back in 2017. He is however morphing into a very good 3rd line center who can kill penalties and is responsible defensively. He has made some great strides in his ability to win faceoffs and will be looked at to win key draws in key situations.
Overall Comments:
The forward group is going to need a lot of work this off season as there are a number of holes that need to be filled. There are some younger prospects in Laval that will vie for jobs but I would rather let them have proper development time before russing them to the NHL. I expect to be a very busy GM this off season in both free agency and trades as we look to plug some of these openings.
Up Next: Canadiens Prospect Pool
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