One of the biggest surprises in the 2018/19 NHL season is the Montreal Canadiens, and more particularly, how productive their forwards have been 30 games in.
If we isolate it even further, the Habs centre depth -- which was a major question mark coming into the season -- has been better than expected.
Lead by Max Domi, who's notched an incredible 31 points in 30 games and solidified himself as the Habs No. 1 centreman after spending most of his career playing on the wing in Arizona, one of the more eye-opening players has been centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who was selected third overall by the Habs at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Many questioned whether the Habs made the right pick in selecting the Finn that high at the draft, but after watching him through training camp and approximately a 1/3 of the way through the season, the Kotakniemi is proving to be a dependable, two-way centre that could develop into one of the better playmakers in the NHL.
On Monday, the Habs released a video of the 6"2", 190-pound centreman wearing a GoPro while showing off his swift stickhandling skills and soft hands that benefit his ability to distribute the puck.
Kotkaniemi's three goals and 12 assists put him tied for fourth in NHL rookie scoring, and the Habs third line centre is currently on pace for a 41-point season.
Not bad for an 18-year-old that is in only his second year of professional hockey who could very well be the young, homegrown centre the Habs have needed down the middle for quite some time once he bulks up and gains a little more experience.
