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Montreal Canadiens: Positional breakdown of the prospect pool to date

By Omar L

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Jesperi Kotkaniemi puts on a Montreal Canadiens jersey onstage after being selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Jesperi Kotkaniemi puts on a Montreal Canadiens jersey onstage after being selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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REGINA, SK – MAY 18: (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

Right Wing (4)

  • Max Friberg (acquired from the Anaheim Ducks)
  • Antoine Waked (free agent signing)
  • William Bitten (2016 third-round pick)
  • Jesse Ylonen (2018 second-round pick)

Bitten and Ylonen are the clear standouts among this group. The former Hamilton Bulldog is also expected to make his professional debut in the AHL with Laval after a trio of offensively productive seasons in junior. Unfortunately, Bitten’s impact on the team wasn’t felt as strongly in the playoffs as he was reduced to a third-line role. But he was still able to put up 11 points in those 21 games leading up to the championship victory.

The Habs first second-round pick from Dallas has been another eyebrow-raiser for the right reasons. There’s a lot to like about Ylonen’s game in how he combines skating speed with shiftiness that involves a good deal of head fakes to keep opposing players guessing. He’s dealing with some kind of injury right now which could delay his debut with the Pelicans in Liiga. However, the 18-year-old should be another Finnish prospect fans should keep their eye on.

Waked is in an interesting position when it comes to the organization’s depth. The Montreal Canadiens signed him out of the QMJHL in 2017 after scoring 39 goals and 41 assists with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. It was a tough debut for him managing only to put up 11 points in 63 games. And although he was mainly used in a middling lineup role, Waked wasn’t able to take his level of play to a higher level once injuries and call-ups left holes in the roster.

That can change with an improved season, but there are many new faces around to outcompete.

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