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Montreal Canadiens: Emil Heineman, Joshua Roy, Jesse Ylonen Will Fix Lack Of Scoring Depth

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol

MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 11: Jesse Ylonen #56 of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Centre Bell on March 11, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 11: Jesse Ylonen #56 of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Centre Bell on March 11, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Jan 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Jesse Ylonen. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Jesse Ylonen. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports /

Jesse Ylonen

Jesse Ylonen was selected in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, and his skating was viewed as a strength. His technique and speed caught the Habs’ attention, and they viewed him as a player, should things go right, who could be a nice addition to the Canadiens’ top nine. His shot was solid, and he always had his head up scanning for passes, which were hard and accurate.

He played the three seasons following his draft selection in the Finnish Liiga with the Lahti Pelicans, where he put together a trio of solid campaigns. He sharpened his tools against the best competition in Finland, in anticipation of his jump to North America, with hopes of joining the Laval Rocket. In 127 games, the Scottsdale, Arizona-born native of Finland, compiled 56 points (23 goals and 33 assists).

Ylonen made the transition to North American ice during the second half of his 2020-21 campaign, after 21 games with the Pelicans. His first season in Laval was a success, as he transitioned smoothly, to the tune of producing 17 points (eight goals and nine assists) in 28 games. He has steadily improved his production since, which has earned him some sustained playing time in the NHL.

Through 120 games in the American Hockey League, Ylonen has recorded 85 points (34 goals and 51 assists). With the Canadiens, he has played 52 games and posted 21 points (eight goals and 13 assists). The 2023-24 campaign promises to be a big year for him, and should he put all his tools together and use his great one-timer with some regularity, he could prove to be a nice addition to the Canadiens scoring punch for years to come.

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