Saturday was one of the more controversial games for the Montreal Canadiens. It wasn’t only because they lost a critical game to the Chicago Blackhawks while the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets earned points. What still has fans and even members of the media scratching their heads was Claude Julien‘s usage of Jesperi Kotkaniemi that night.
The 18-year-old went from a hopeful roster addition to a contributor offensively and defensively for the Habs in six months. He’s eighth on the team in goals amongst forwards with 11 and has the same number of primary assists helping the likes of Joel Armia, Paul Byron, and in short supply, Artturi Lehkonen find the back of the net.