When Could We See Another Koivu in a Canadiens Jersey?

Saku Koivu is one of the most beloved players to don the Montreal Canadiens sweater. He did not win Stanley Cups like Jean Beliveau or Henri Richard. He did not have insane numbers like Maurice Richard or Guy Lafleur. What he did bring was a never-give-up attitude. Coming back after battling and beating Burkitt's lymphoma. He was expected to miss the entire year, but made a surprise return with three games left in the season and helped the Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the 2002 playoffs.

If that was not enough, in the 2005-06 season, he suffered a serious eye injury that could have ended his career when Carolina Hurricanes' winger Justin Williams' stick went underneath his visor and struck him in the eye, detaching his retina. That would not stop Saku, though, as he came back in the 2006-07 season better than ever, playing the best hockey of his career. He recorded career highs in goals (22), assists (53), and points (75). He was the face of the franchise and the leader of the team, being named captain following the 1998-99 season. When Saku left the Canadiens after the 2008-09 season, he was the longest-serving captain in franchise history, tied alongside Beliveau.

When Saku's son declared for the NHL Draft, there was only one place that made sense for him to go. With their third-round pick, the Canadiens selected Aatos Koivu, 70th overall. Being the son of a former NHL All-Star comes with pressure, but it only intensifies when you are joining the very team where your father became an icon. Aatos does not seem to be bothered by the added pressure, as he says it motivates him because he wants to prove to everyone that he can be a good player too.

Playing for his father's former team is not new to Aatos, as he has been playing for TPS in Liiga in Finland. After a couple of seasons with TPS's U18 and U20 teams, he spent most of last year with the men's squad. The Canadiens' third-round pick recorded one goal and eight points in 32 games this past season, and those numbers are not groundbreaking, but to put it in perspective, he was 18 years old playing in a men's league. Like his father, he is a two-way centre with great awareness away from the puck. The one thing he might have over Saku is a lethal wrist shot. And do not worry, he already has his father's iconic shootout move down pat.

Aatos has yet to sign his entry-level deal, which likely means he will be playing in Finland next season. He will need to continue building muscle if he wants to be effective in the NHL. Aatos will have the advantage of playing in a men's league rather than the juniors, which will do wonders for his development. If everything goes well next season, he will sign his entry-level contract by the end of next season and make his way over to the Laval Rockets, where Canadiens fans will get a closer look at how he has developed. Aatos is likely a couple of years away from playing in the NHL, but he seems determined to prove his doubters wrong. If his heart and determination are anything like his father's, Canadiens fans may one day be cheering for another Koivu in the bleu, blanc, et rouge.