A few youngsters of interest if we're trading with the Habs:
-RHC Oliver Kapanen (6'1",183lbs): At 21 years old, he could be a potential replacement for Backlund down the road- he's an excellent two-way performer with skill. A second-rounder from 2021, he made his debut in 2024-25, but only managed 2 points in 18 games. He put up a respectable 6 points in 11 playoff games with the Rocket, though. He put up an impressive 35 points in 36 games in the SHL before coming over.
-RHC Owen Beck (6'0",198lbs): Only 21 years old, he's a well-rounded two-way center with speed and skill. In 2024-25, his first season of pro, he scored 44 points in 64 games with the Rocket, and only 1 assist in 12 games with the Habs.
-RW Alexander Zharovsky (6'1",163lbs): Freshly drafted this summer, he's very raw physically, but has oodles of skill and put up an impressive 50 points in 45 MHL games.
-RHD David Reinbacher (6'2",194lbs): No way they part with this kid. He's near elite in the shut-down department, and shows top-tier ability in the offensive zone.
-LHD Adam Engstrom (6'2",190lbs): 21 years old, and drafted in the third-round of 2022, he's a strong-skating, two-way defender who posted an incredible 27 points in 66 games with the Rocket in his first season in North America.
-LW/C Sean Farrell (5'9",174lbs): A former star in the USHL and the NCAA, he's still cutting his teeth at the pro level, with 44 points in 67 games in his second season with the Rocket. He was once considered to be an elite playmaker, but at 23 years old, time is running out.
-C/LW Filip Eriksson (5'11",179lbs): Just 20 years old, he's put up some nice numbers back home in Sweden- particularly in the Allsvenskan (the second-tier men's league). He's an excellent skater, has good skill, and plays a tight two-way game.
-LW/C Joshua Roy (6'0",192lbs): He's only 21, but has had injury troubles going back to junior. There's never been any doubt about his offensive potential, as he's extremely gifted in that regard, but his skating and defensive game have always been weaknesses. 20 goals and 35 points in 47 games with the Rocket, to go with 2 goals in 12 NHL games (although he had 9 points in 23 games with the Habs in 2023-24).
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