A young prospect of the Canadiens forces Kent Hughes to make a trade to create space for him
Oliver Kapanen's impressive performance at the Montreal Canadiens' training camp is putting serious pressure on the team's management.
At just 21 years old, he has caught the attention of coach Martin St-Louis and seems ready to play a significant role with the team. However, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton face a tough decision, as Kapanen either needs to start the season in Montreal or return to Sweden.
If Kapanen continues to perform at this level, it becomes harder to justify sending him back to Sweden. His maturity and talent are forcing management to consider creative options to make room for him in the lineup.
His coach in Sweden, Olli Jokinen, recently mentioned that he expected Kapanen to surprise and potentially start the season in Montreal. This puts added pressure on the Canadiens to find a solution to keep him on the NHL roster.
One of the more likely options would be to trade a forward to open up a spot for Kapanen. Christian Dvorak's name frequently comes up in these discussions, and moving him would not only create space for Kapanen but also bring potential value back in a trade.
If I were in Kent Hughes' shoes, I'd seriously consider a trade to allow Kapanen to prove himself in the NHL this year. He's young, full of potential, and seems ready for the jump. Ignoring his current form could mean missing out on a promising player who could help shape the future of the Canadiens.
What do you think? Does trading a forward to make room for Kapanen seem like the best option?
| POLL | ||
Would you make Oliver Kapanen start for the Montreal Canadiens this year? | ||
| Yes | 207 | 83.5 % |
| No | 41 | 16.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
