Kent Hughes blunder: he is about to fix his mistake
Kent Hughes made a mistake since arriving as general manager of the Canadiens, and he appears to be on the verge of rectifying it.
Indeed, the GM has made many good moves, but there's a blemish on his record, and that's the trade sending Artturi Lehkonen to Colorado for Justin Barron and a 2nd round pick.
Lehkonen is a solid hockey player, responsible on both ends of the ice, and very productive with the Avalanche. He also elevates his game in the playoffs.
Justin Barron is not yet assured of having an NHL career. We can see the stark difference. However, the signing of a prospect could change that.
Oliver Kapanen has just signed for two years in Finland, but if Kent Hughes signs him to his entry-level contract this summer, he will be eligible to arrive in 2025, after one year of contract in the Liiga.
We're talking about a fantastic two-way player, and he's really starting to unlock his offensive potential.
Kapanen scored 14 points in 13 playoff games, and he's currently the top goal scorer in the World Championship, even ahead of Connor Bedard.
What's most interesting about Kapanen is his knack for scoring. He positions himself where it hurts and pays the price, which is sometimes lacking in the Canadiens.
"If Oliver Kapanen be that effective in front of the net as he's been at the #MensWorlds, Montreal has one heck of a prospect." - Steven Ellis and via HabsOnReddit
There's no doubt; Kapanen will be an NHL player in a few years. The only thing that could hold him back is himself.
If he decides to pursue a career in the Liiga, that's his right. His father is the team's general manager, so it's a possibility.
We'll know if Kent Hughes fails to sign him to his entry-level contract.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Oliver Kapanen will sign with the Canadiens this summer? | ||
| Yes | 227 | 70.7 % |
| No | 94 | 29.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
