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Montreal Canadiens: In Other News… Even Series, Alzner’s Potential Return

By Scott Cowan

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Jeff Petry #26 and Karl Alzner #22 of the Montreal Canadiens congratulate goaltender Carey Price #31 for their victory against the Detroit Red Wings during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on March 26, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Jeff Petry #26 and Karl Alzner #22 of the Montreal Canadiens congratulate goaltender Carey Price #31 for their victory against the Detroit Red Wings during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on March 26, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Otto Leskinen Signs in KHL

While there’s been the occasional change here and there, for the most part, Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme has stuck to what’s worked regarding the Canadiens lineup. Tomas Tatar having completely and utterly lost Ducharme’s trust aside, there hasn’t been much of a presence from the team’s Black Aces, and heading into 2021-22, one of the Habs more reliable depth options will be taking his services elsewhere.

Otto Leskinen has always had an intriguing notion attached to him since being picked up by Montreal out of the SM-liiga, and in spite of serving a role and serving it well, the 24-year-old blueliner has opted elsewhere, signing a two-year deal with Helsinki Jokerit of the KHL. Being one of the league’s more consistently competitive clubs, Leskinen should fit in well on an offensively capable Jokerit team alongside long-time top KHL forwards, like Brian O’Neill and Nicklas Jensen.

With the recent lack of success from KHL defenseman’s transitions to the NHL, like the Toronto Maple Leafs failed Mikko Lehtonen experiment, Leskinen’s departure shouldn’t come as a surprise. Regardless, the Finnish native played a key role for the Laval Rocket over the past two seasons, being named an AHL All-Star in 2020-21 with 1-16-17 totals over 33 games. Along with this, Leskinen managed a cup of coffee in Montreal, going scoreless over 6 games. While he’s managed solid, if unremarkable numbers up to this point, look for Leskinen to have a chance to break out and potentially turn into a 15, possible 20 goal threat from the point in Helsinki. Nonetheless, it seems as though Leskinen’s NHL days are over after a solid if ultimately unsuccessful kick at the can.

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