Montreal Canadiens: Which Prospects Are Actually Playing Right Now?

The Montreal Canadiens won’t hit the ice again for months, but which prospects already have?

The Montreal Canadiens last played in August when they fell in Game 6 to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the postseason. They had defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in four games in the playing series, but couldn’t take out the Flyers.

The initial plan was for the 2020-21 season to begin on December 1st, but commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned during the NHL Draft that it could be closer to January 1st. There have been other rumours that the start could be pushed back even further, but we know it will be a while before we see the Habs again.

However, there are several Habs prospects in action already.

The QMJHL began in early October, but the OHL and WHL are still waiting to begin their season. The college hockey season is supposed to begin in November and the AHL is likely to follow around the same time the NHL starts. There are several leagues in Europe that have started already and the Canadiens have loaned out a handful of players to play there.

Let’s take a quick glance at the Habs prospects that are in action:

Alexander Gordin

Gordin was the Habs 6th round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. He was one of the top scorers in Russia’s top Junior league last season, and has picked up right where he left off this season. In four games with St. Petersburg’s Junior squad, Gordin has scored five goals and seven points. The 19 year old could be in line for a call up to the KHL soon.

Otto Leskinen

Leskinen played last season with the Laval Rocket. The Finnish defender had a solid first season in North America and has started well this season. He is playing with Kalpa in Liiga and has three assists in five games thus far. Kalpa is off to a strong 4-1-0 start to their season, but they just shut things down due to a potential exposure to Covid-19.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Kotkaniemi is also playing in Liiga, but he hasn’t stepped on the ice just yet. He is scheduled to make his debut on Thursday night.

Jesse Ylonen

The Habs second round pick in 2018 was supposed to make his North American debut in March with the Laval Rocket. He signed his entry-level contract but then the league cancelled its season so we haven’t seen him. He was loaned back to his Liiga team to begin this season, and has played six games thus far. He is off to a slow start with just one assist in those games, though his low scoring club is averaging less than two goals per game.

Jacob Olofsson

Olofsson is playing in Sweden’s top league for Skelleftea. The team is off to a hot start, sitting second in league standings. Olofsson is more of a defensive player and he is playing a second and third line role for the winning club. He has just one point in nine games, but helps out defensively and kills penalties.

Mattias Norlinder

Also playing in SHL is Mattias Norlinder. He had a terrific season in Allsvenskan last year which is Sweden’s version of the AHL but now he is in the top circuit and performing well. The 20 year old is a fantastic skater and puck-moving blue liner who has been getting some regular power play time with Frolunda who are also one of the top teams in Sweden. Norlinder has a goal and an assist in eight games and has been playing regularly in the team’s top four.

Charles Hudon

Hudon signed to play in Switzerland while he waits to see what his future is with the Canadiens organization. He was given a qualifying offer so the team retains his NHL rights, but he is yet to agree to a contract for next season. He has played just one game with Lausanne in the Swiss NL but he scored once and added an assist.

Jan Mysak

Jan Mysak was drafted in the second round by the Habs earlier this month. He played in the OHL last season but returned to Czech Republic where he will play with HC Litvinov. He has played just one game and was held scoreless. His team is off to a sluggish start, losing all three games they have played thus far.

That’s it for Habs players and prospects at this time. As we wait for official word on when the NHL will return, we will keep a closer eye on the aforementioned seven Habs affiliated players who are playing overseas.

We should see the college hockey season kick into gear soon, and the Canadiens have numerous prospects there. Cole Caufield, Jayden Struble, Jordan Harris, Brett Stapley, Jack Gorniak, Rhett Pitlick, Luke Tuch, Jack Smith, Blake Biondi, Sean Farrell and Jakub Dobes should all hit the ice once hockey gets going in the United States.

Then, we will have to wait for word on when the AHL will begin, and also wait until January when the WHL starts so we can see first round pick Kaiden Guhle in action for the Prince Albert Raiders.