A Canadiens forward would have officially played his last game, as it looks like the end for the Finn Jesse Ylonen

It's all well and good to give gifts, but at some point, Christmas has been over for more than two months now. This is a crucial season for Jesse Ylonen, who has to renew his contract this summer, and he simply hasn't seized his opportunity.

Despite being employed in offensive roles at times, aside from a two-goal game, he hasn't stood out much. It's getting late for him, maybe even too late.


The observer is quite right, even Michael Pezzetta took his place for Saturday's game, and his utility was superior. It simply doesn't click for Ylonen, and if he doesn't produce, he's not of much use.


Not only should Kent Hughes let him go this summer as a restricted free agent, but it's also possible that he may have played his last game in Montreal. The Canadiens need to use the home stretch to prepare for the next season, and if Ylonen isn't part of the plans, there's no reason to play him.

It could have even been done earlier, but he needed ice time to hope that a team would be willing to take him. Now that the trade deadline has passed, the Habs have no reason to prefer him over anyone else.