Former Montreal Canadiens Forward Could Make a Major NHL Comeback

A former Canadiens forward, who now plays in the KHL, could return to the NHL at the end of his current contract.

Even though things haven't always been smooth for the Canadiens over the past ten years, there have been great moments, and several players have been pleasant surprises.

Notably, Alexander Radulov, who appeared out of nowhere during the 2016-17 season, became a true offensive spark, tallying 18 goals and 54 points in 76 games.

Two years later, in 2019-20, Ilya Kovalchuk arrived in Montreal and quickly became a fan favorite. While the Russian no longer had the speed of his prime years, he was excellent, recording 13 points, including 6 goals, in 22 games.

The following year, it was Corey Perry's turn to wear the Canadiens uniform, and he was adored by fans. The right winger became a leader for Montreal, which shocked many by reaching the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

If Radulov, Kovalchuk, and Perry shined in Montreal, the name Jordan Weal may be less familiar to fans.

He played 65 games in Montreal from 2018 to 2020, in addition to playing with the Laval Rocket in the AHL during 2020-21. After his time in the organization, Weal didn't find a spot elsewhere in the league and decided to sign in the KHL for the 2021-22 season.

However, the forward is now unrecognizable thanks to his recent performances. He has recorded 45 goals and 128 points since the 2023-24 season. Jordan Weal is currently the 3rd leading scorer in the KHL since 2023, behind Nikita Gusev and Nikolai Goldobin.

At 33, his contract ends next summer, and it's far from impossible to imagine an NHL team giving him a second chance if he has a strong 2025-26 campaign.

Of course, it would likely be a low-cost contract, but it would still be a remarkable achievement for Weal to make it back to the world's top hockey league, especially when everyone thought his NHL career was over.

We wish him an excellent season!