Oliver Kapanen can “without a doubt” be the second center of the future, according to Kent Hughes

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Oliver Kapanen can “without a doubt” be the second center of the future, according to Kent Hughes
Credit: Screenshot/Twitter

Currently, the second line is led by Oliver Kapanen.

Let's face it, no one (except Grant McCagg) had anticipated such a scenario this summer. The guy really gets the job done with Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky at his side.

By the way, Slaf doesn't think changing lines has made him any better.

For the moment, the recipe is working. But the question many people are asking is whether Kapanen can continue to play this way on a top-6.

Slaf and Demidov are top-6 guys, but Kapanen?

The GM, who sometimes likes to tread carefully, didn't hesitate for a second to say that yes, he believes Kapanen can be the long-term solution for the Habs.

Hughes, who isn't necessarily surprised by his young center's progress, has “no doubt” that he can be the #2 center in the long term, even. That's big, in my opinion.

Of course, the GM didn't close the door on looking for reinforcements or seeing his club get another second center. But clearly, he gave his Finnish center a BIG vote of confidence.

It was a bigger vote of confidence than what he said about Samuel Montembeault, let's face it.

We know that Michael Hage (who had a superb World Junior Championship) is also pushing, which gives the GM options. But if he has an alternative and the price is right…

The short- and long-term balance is still important. But for the rest, it'll be case by case.


overtime

– Not crazy.

– Wow.

– Read on.

– Ouch.

– A few days before Kaiden Guhle's return?

– Interesting.

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