Montreal Canadiens: Jesse Ylonen Has Earned A Top 6 Audition

The Montreal Canadiens seem to have been searching for a solution to their secondary scoring woes all season when perhaps the answer has been under their noses the whole time.

Jesse Ylonen has played on the fourth line for virtually the entirety of his 63 game NHL career, including the 11 games he has dressed this year. The 24 year-old forward is averaging less ice time than anyone on the roster not named Michael Pezzetta and has been made a healthy scratch on seven occasions.

However, all the Finnish winger has done with his marginal opportunities is produce. He has three goals on the year despite being one of the most seldom used forwards on the club. That’s more than Josh Anderson, Juraj Slafkovsky and Rafael Harvey-Pinard combined. He also had modest production in a limited role last season as well when he was able put up 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 37 games.

For the record, we are not talking about a late round dart throw or undrafted free agent here either. Ylonen is second round pick, selected 38th overall by the Canadiens in 2018. He is a player that scored three goals and three assists for Finland in seven tournament games at the World Juniors in 2019.  He definitely has the pedigree to warrant an audition higher up in the lineup.

Ylonen is an elite skater and possesses a wicked wrist shot. He is a strong enough on the forecheck and can retrieve pucks in a way that could serve him well in a complimentary role with more skilled players. He also certainly has good enough hands to make plays and finish at an above average level.

With Harvey-Pinard having just been placed on injured reserve and Anderson struggling mightily to light the lamp these days, it could serve as the perfect time to give Ylonen an extended look flanking either Nick Suzuki or Sean Monahan.

Considering that Ylonen has been able to put up decent counting stats while spending the majority of his time with Jake Evans as his center, it stands to reason that his chances of generating more offense will be greatly improved from playing with better linemates.

It would great to see Ylonen get a trial run on the second power play unit too. I think he is more than capable of holding his own with anybody on the currently PP2.  His high IQ, ability to play with pace and quick release could be just what that group is lacking.

The Canadiens spent premium draft capital on Ylonen because they believed in the talent of the player. The time has come to give him a shot to prove himself and unlike some of his teammates, he has actually earned that chance.