Now that Kent Hughes has settled the Jake Evans situation, the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens can finally move on to other matters.

As you know, Evans signed a four-year contract extension, and we can say that the team’s third or fourth-line center position is secured, at least in the medium term.

If we consider that Owen Beck is part of the organization’s plans and that Kent Hughes is shopping for a second-line center eventually, there isn’t much room left for Oliver Kapanen.

After starting the season with the Canadiens, the Swedish forward returned to Sweden after playing 12 games with the Habs, where he recorded two assists.

Since his return to Europe, the Habs’ 2021 second-round pick has been playing for Timra IK, where he is having an excellent season with 30 points in 33 games.

Could Kent Hughes use Oliver Kapanen to acquire a solid second-line center (like Trevor Zegras) via the trade market?

Obviously, Kapanen alone won’t be enough to land a Dylan Cozens, a Casey Mittelstadt, or a Trevor Zegras, but by adding Logan Mailloux and the first-round pick obtained from the Flames in the Sean Monahan trade, we can assume that some NHL general managers would be willing to listen.

Especially since it seems there isn’t much room left for Oliver Kapanen in the organization with the recent signing of Jake Evans and the emergence of Owen Beck.

“Oliver Kapanen is officially an easy trade bait for the Montreal Canadiens.

The 3rd and 4th centers will be Jake Evans and Owen Beck.

All that’s left is to find the 2nd-line center.”

 

Another situation to watch as we approach this Friday’s trade deadline.