ALL HABS | NHL TEAM | MONTREAL CANADIENS

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired a top-tier center with the selection of Swedish player Oliver Kapanen

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David St-Jean
February 4, 2024 (7:23 PM)

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Photo credit: A Winning Habit

This move dates back to the Bergevin/Timmins era, but it has aged very well for the organization. Even though the first-round picks weren't very shining for the duo, it must be admitted that the prospect pool was better stocked when they left than when Bergevin arrived.

In 2021, the two men selected Oliver Kapanen in the 2nd round. He is the cousin of Kasperi Kapanen and is expected to be even better. According to former Canadiens scout Grant McCagg, he has the potential to become a top-six center, a key player.

McCagg adds that he is the most underestimated prospect in the Canadiens' system. With the current prospect pool, that's quite a statement!

Kapanen currently has 23 points in 38 games in the top Finnish league. At 20 years old, he could come to North America directly after his season in Europe.

This is certainly a situation to keep an eye on. If you doubt his production, consider that it's not an easy league to produce offensively. The leaders have only 51 points in 50 games, which is very different from the NHL.

To give you an idea, his production is almost equivalent to Elias Lindholm's since the start of the season in terms of points per game.

Grant McCagg: Oliver Kapanen is the most underrated Habs prospect with 2C upside@grantmccagg joins @TonyMarinaro to discuss the #Habs prospects.

Full pod👇
Watch: https://t.co/KuNSoYlXpn
Listen: https://t.co/GaAm7pmDyC #GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/aKuN8AaoNe� The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) July 27, 2023

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Plot twist at Canadiens' practice: a key forward is already back, and it's very fortunate for Alex Newhook

Unexpected development in the Sean Monahan and Montreal Canadiens situation

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4 FEVRIER \| 785 ANSWERS The Montreal Canadiens have acquired a top-tier center with the selection of Swedish player Oliver Kapanen Do you like the Canadiens' prospect pool?
Yes	523	66.6 %
No	102	13 %
Not enough punch	160	20.4 %
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