First-place Laval Rocket could get massive boost for Calder Cup push

The Laval Rocket haven't missed a beat when they lost players to the Montreal Canadiens this season. The team has spent time without Jakub Dobes, Owen Beck, Joshua Roy, and Logan Mailloux for parts of the season, along with some others for shorter timeframes. However, the team remains in first-place in the American Hockey League with 81 points. The Hershey Bears are close behind them with 80 points, but the next closest team is the Colorado Eagles with 76 points.

The Rocket will soon clinch a playoff spot, and Kent Hughes recently revealed that the team could get some reinforcements for that Calder Cup run. The most prominent addition could be coming from the Swedish Hockey League, as Oliver Kapanen is free to join the Rocket once his season ends. Kapanen's contract stated he couldn't go to the AHL at the beginning of the season, but that clause changes once the SHL season is over. Kapanen would make an immediate impact for Laval.

Kapanen's time in the NHL clearly made him a better player, as he recorded 35 points in 36 games for Timra IK since returning to Europe. After registering just 34 points in 51 games in Liiga last season, the development of his offensive game is noticeable. The SHL and AHL are closely linked in quality, which means the Rocket would be adding possibly a near-point-per-game production player if he can carry the play in Sweden over.

Canadiens fans are likely hoping Kapanen will be the only player made available to the Rocket for their playoff push. Kent Hughes made some paper transactions on the final day of eligibility to ensure Jakub Dobes and Owen Beck could return to Laval for the postseason. If the Canadiens fail to make the playoffs, these players can return to the Rocket thanks to the move.

The Rocket are 8-2-0 over their last ten games. Cayden Primeau and the rest of the players have been holding down the fort, but adding Dobes, Beck, and Kapanen to that lineup should make them easy favorites for the Calder Cup. Dobes had a 9-3-1 record with a .910 save percentage and a 2.44 goals-against average during his 14 games in Laval. Meanwhile, Beck was having a breakout rookie season, recording 36 points in 50 games.

The Canadiens hope both clubs will be simultaneously making playoff pushes. However, if the Canadiens fail to secure that boost, their top prospects will get some experience in a professional postseason environment. Let's not forget there might be a certain goalie turning pro once the Boston College Eagles' season is done, as well.