Montreal Canadiens: Upcoming player birthdays this summer
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens joined Artturi Lehkonen in celebrating his 23rd birthday, and he won’t be the only member of the team to gain a year of age.
July 4th was special on several fronts. For American residents, it was Independence Day filled with 24 hours of fireworks, hot dogs, and celebrations. But for Artturi Lehkonen and the Montreal Canadiens, a birthday was on the books.
The 2013 second-round pick is another year older as he turned 23. However, it’s been an interesting pair of years for Lehkonen in a Habs uniform.
He made his debut with the Montreal Canadiens for the 2016-17 season breaking out for 18 goals and 10 assists in 73 games and another 4 points in the team’s series against the New York Rangers. Many expected Lehkonen to hit the 20-goal mark, but he had to settle for 12. Injuries and a good deal of bad luck held that at bay.
Heading into the final year of his entry-level contracts, Lehkonen will need to convert those scoring chances to goals.
But the Finland native wasn’t the only Montreal Canadien to celebrate a birthday this offseason, and he won’t be the last. Jacob de La Rose (23), Paul Byron (29), Brendan Gallagher (26), Charles Hudon (24), Victor Mete (20), and David Schlemko (31), all saw their age get a plus one.
Looking forward to the rest of the summer, seven Habs will see a birthday come there way:
- Mike Reilly – July 13th – 26
- Jordie Benn – July 26th – 32
- Xavier Ouellet – July 29th – 26
- Shea Weber – August 14th – 34
- Carey Price – August 16th – 32
- Antti Niemi – August 29th – 36
Even though the team is getting younger with the number of young players set to be on the team, they’re always getting older. Hopefully whatever festivities they go through this summer gets them nice and excited for the upcoming season.
In Case You Missed It
Low expectations will benefit the team next season
A lot of people aren’t expecting the Montreal Canadiens to do much next season, and that could work to their advantage.
Like the Toronto Maple Leafs, patience will pay off
The Leafs have built themselves a decent roster through the draft proving the importance of patient which the Habs should do more of.
Possible cases for Player-Elected Salary Arbitration
Looking at three players on the team who can elect for Salary Arbitration ahead of the deadline.
Next: Bergevin Has Done What He Can On That Core
Morning Links
Bergevin Somehow Sticks to a Plan
Marc Bergevin had a massive plan headed into the offseason, and it looks like portions of it have come into place.
The Must List: Artturi Lehkonen (NHL)
Getting to know more about the belated birthday boy.
Why signing Max Pacioretty to a contract extension is starting to make some sense (The Athletic)
After a few fall outs, odds are that Max Pacioretty is sticking around, and signing him to an extension can benefit both parties.