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Montreal Canadiens: Hunter Shinkaruk brings more skill but is another hopeful

By Omar L

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 28: Hunter Shinkaruk #49 of the Calgary Flames reacts after a goal by teammate TJ Brodie against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period at Gila River Arena on March 28, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Shinkaruk had an assist on the goal. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 28: Hunter Shinkaruk #49 of the Calgary Flames reacts after a goal by teammate TJ Brodie against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period at Gila River Arena on March 28, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Shinkaruk had an assist on the goal. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 28: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Montreal Canadiens went for another prospect swap by adding Hunter Shinkaruk to the organization who is still in search of making his break in the NHL.

It’s been a while since the Montreal Canadiens had some actual news for members of the fanbase to discuss. The last bit of new information was Phillip Danault signing a three-year extension worth $3.083 million per season. Montreal only had two more restricted free agents left to get under contract in Michael McCarron and Kerby Rychel, and it stretched all the way to the latter half of August.

But Monday’s trade settled the Rychel situation as he was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Hunter Shinkaruk. The Tomas Plekanec move gets another chapter added to the story as it’s now become Rinat Valiev, Jacob Olofsson (the second-round pick), and Shinkaruk.

The move makes sense on both ends. Additionally, it’s another move for two 2013 first-round draft picks. This will be Rychel’s fourth organization while Shinkaruk is hitting his third. Montreal and Calgary qualified both, and it seems like neither could come to terms on a new deal and hence the swap took place.

Shinkaruk will have one season to show what he can do within the Montreal Canadiens system which is probably going to see him spend more time in the AHL with the Laval Rocket than in the NHL.

However, every prospect has their story, and Shinkaruk’s is interesting considering he was one of, if not the most offensive talents in the Vancouver Canucks organization dating back to his days with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

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