Roundup: Do the Montreal Canadiens have trade untouchables?

Discussing whether Jesperi Kotkaniemi benefits from a year in the AHL? Are the Montreal Canadiens confident in their back-up options, and most importantly, are their trade untouchables?

1. Would Jesperi Kotkaniemi benefit from a full season in the AHL?

Scott Cowan: I think it’s safe to say that Jesperi Kotkaniemi has had a very hit and miss start to his NHL career. In his first season, he was reserved to more of a depth role as the Canadiens fought for a playoff spot, and his solid play was more than welcome. However, with Montreal struggling on and off this season, Kotkaniemi’s flaws were more apparent, and I think the demotion to Laval did him good, recording 13 points in 13 games.

For next season, I think it would be best to develop Kotkaniemi in a similar way the Habs developed Michael McCarron. Let him play the first-line role in Laval and earn a callup to the team later in the year if he plays well. The Rocket team Joel Bouchard has in front of him now is perfect for a player like Kotkaniemi, and I think Bouchard’s team-first approach could be of great benefit to him.

Sebastian: As things currently stand, the Habs could quite conceivably enter next season with Phil Danault, Nick Suzuki, Max Domi and Jake Evans as their four centres, perhaps with Nate Thompson as the 13th forward should he return. Of course, both Ryan Poehling and Jesperi Kotkaniemi will push for a roster spot throughout training camp and preseason, but letting the two young centremen develop under Joel Bouchard for another year can do nothing but foster their growth as athletes.

It was quite clear that Kotkaniemi enjoyed being entirely trusted by his coach once he joined the Rocket, and I do believe that being patient and letting him tear up the AHL for a full season would be a wise decision. This being said, if KK enters camp determined to make the Habs’ roster and proves that he is ready to play significant NHL minutes now, he may just force Bergevin’s hand.