Kent Hughes is surprised by a prospect who leaves the Canadiens
The 2021 Canadiens draft class was very interesting, particularly because Logan Mailloux was the first-round pick, followed by Oliver Kapanen in the second round and Joshua Roy in the fifth round.
These are three prospects who are progressing very well and will undoubtedly be regulars in the NHL, even though Kapanen has a two-year contract in the Liiga.
During that same draft, Marc Bergevin and his team selected right-handed defenseman Daniil Sobolev. Although he has played the last three years in the OHL, he is of Russian nationality.
After three seasons with the Windsor Spitfires, Niagara IceDogs, and Brantford Bulldogs, the young defenseman has decided to return home to his native country.
A KHL Contract for Daniil Sobolev
Indeed, the Canadiens prospect has signed a two-year deal with Spartak Moscow in the KHL. It is unknown if this is because the Canadiens did not intend to sign him, but he is returning home until proven otherwise.
Sobolev is a right-handed defenseman standing 6'1" and weighing 223 lbs. His rights remain with the Canadiens (in the NHL) until the team releases or trades him. Russia is the only nation with such regulations regarding prospect rights.
In the NCAA and Europe, teams hold the rights to players for four years before the player becomes a free agent without compensation. In the CHL, players remain the property of the team that drafted them for two years, after which they can re-enter the draft.
If you're wondering why teams are hesitant to select Canadian prospects, except those who are undeniable talents, it's because, all else being equal, NCAA and European players are prioritized for this very reason.
| POLL |
26 MAI | 387 ANSWERS Kent Hughes is surprised by a prospect who leaves the Canadiens In your opinion, did Daniil Sobolev have a chance to break into the Canadiens' lineup one day given the depth of their defensive prospects? |
| Yes | 95 | 24.5 % |
| No | 292 | 75.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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