Since taking over as GM for the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes and his vp of hockey operations, Jeff Gorton have gone to work making the team much younger. However, a couple of players are taking precious ice time away from the youth. The blue line hasn’t suffered like the forwards, with Joel Armia and Mike Hoffman still on the books.
Indeed, the best route would be shipping them out via trade, if there’s a willing partner, which would rid them of both players. Another option is sending them through waivers to Laval if they aren’t claimed. So, for many of us Habs fans, if our wishes can come true, it would be fun to project who might fill the holes left behind after their departures.
With a prospect pool that has established itself as one of the premiere groups in the NHL, the Canadiens are looking to push ahead with their prospect development. Meaning that some players are ready to take the next step to the NHL, and some are ready to start their professional careers. With that, if older guys aren’t producing, putting a young guy in their spot to get the highly coveted ice time would only benefit the Habs’ rebuild.
There are quite a few options to fill the holes that would open up if Hoffman and Armia get demoted. From a core of players, there are a pair of forwards that stand out, in my opinion. Those two are as follows.
Jesse Ylonen
Jesse Ylonen has put his head down and just gone to work waiting for an opportunity to present itself. Ylonen is right there, he has produced in the AHL, and during his limited time with the Habs, he has looked good. With a full season ahead to work with, Ylonen will have the perfect opportunity to assert his place within the Habs lineup, if he can grab it and run with it, the Canadiens would benefit from it.
He has the skating, with a little added strength, I believe he would be able to separate from defenders. In open space, Ylonen is quite deceptive with his soft mitts and head fakes, while his shot is always a threat. He is no slouch defensively using his swift skating, and a smart stick to cut off plays, he can transition turnovers to offence with a few quick strides.
With a nice combination of speed, smarts and puck skill, Ylonen would be a nice addition to the Canadiens’ top nine.
Sean Farrell
Sean Farrell had a brilliant season in the NCAA with the Harvard Crimson. Although it didn’t end the way he would have hoped, an opportunity presented itself for Farrell. Turning pro was the next step, and Farrell decided to sign his elc, getting in for a handful of games with the Canadiens at the tail end of the season.
Farrell potted his first NHL goal, and he displayed glimpses of what he is capable of, albeit in a brief sample size. His game relies heavily on skills, and should his skating climb to another level, he would be all the more dangerous. His mind and offensive skill make him a constant dual threat to thread a pass or use his deceptive release.
If Farrell can get stronger in his lower body, his skating would benefit from that. As a sneaky, smaller guy, he can get lost in space, and with an added gear to his skating, he could get to those spots quicker, increasing his scoring opportunities. A player with his skillset would fit into the top nine beautifully.
While there are a plethora of options, these two guys stand out to me, regardless, the Canadiens will have a youth-filled lineup.
Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!