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Montreal Canadiens: Significance behind Lukas Vejdemo’s signing

By Omar L

BROSSARD, QC - JULY 05: Montreal Canadiens Rookie center Lukas Vejdemo (63) skating at warmup before a simulated game at the Montreal Canadiens Development Camp on July 5, 2017, at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BROSSARD, QC - JULY 05: Montreal Canadiens Rookie center Lukas Vejdemo (63) skating at warmup before a simulated game at the Montreal Canadiens Development Camp on July 5, 2017, at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The timing of the Montreal Canadiens signing Lukas Vejdemo to his entry-level contract may point to what the plan will be for him next season.

The Montreal Canadiens Capfriendly page had a new name added to it this week in Lukas Vejdemo. The general public doesn’t know much about him seeing as he plays overseas in the SHL, but he’s had a lot of growth this season which is a link of positives for the organization in the last few weeks. What’s being juggled ever since the news broke on Vejdemo’s contract signing is whether he will remain in Sweden or jump over to North America?

Management still has to see how he fairs on the smaller ice, but all signs point to him playing either in the NHL if he cracks the roster or in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. It has to do with the timing of the signing. The Montreal Canadiens didn’t need to get Vejdemo on a contract now.

As a 2015 draft pick, the Habs would’ve had his rights for another year. At the same time, Andrew Zadarnowski tweeted that Vejdemo has a contract with Djurgårdens IF for the 2018/19 season. It doesn’t seem like a move made on a whim. If I were a betting person, I’d say the odds are highly favouring Vejdemo wearing a red, white, and blue uniform in some capacity in October.

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To bring more evidence to the conversation since Vejdemo is 22, his entry-level won’t slide. Therefore, it’ll be a relatively short window to see what the young centre has. In an article with hockeysverige.se, Vejdemo had nothing but good things to say about his time and growth in the SHL but wouldn’t mind playing in the AHL.

"It’s no problem for me to play in SHL or AHL. I think I’ll be able to develop very well in both places, but I’ll take that decision later when I know more (Translated)."

Keeping Vejdemo in the SHL may be the better option if we were having this discussion four months ago, . However, it looks like Marc Bergevin is committed to revamping and improving the developmental system within the organization. Having him here and applying his strengths and skills to the North American style would be better in the long-run.

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Additionally, it puts more pressure on other prospects as Vejdemo brings another layer of internal competition. It will be interesting to see how he fairs at training camp in the fall. We don’t know a lot of things for sure as far as the future plans for the rest of the offseason, but we do know is that these prospects are getting an opportunity.

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