In August 2021, the Carolina Hurricanes put the Habs in a pretty dangerous situation. Canes presented Jesperi Kotkaniemi with an offer sheet, which he accepted.
Marc Bergevin had a week to decide whether to accept the offer or not, and in the end he decided to let K.K. go to Raleigh.
In doing so, the Canadiens received a first- and third-round pick, both in 2022. The first one was used to acquire Christian Dvorak… but the third round pick remained in effect.
In the end, Kent Hughes and his gang were able to take advantage of him, and with that choice they chose… Adam Engstrom.
Yes, we're talking about a man who makes his NHL debut tonight.
In fact, Bergevin's decision not to accept the offer actually makes him look good. Not only has Kotkaniemi never developed into a true top-flight center like we had hoped, but Engstrom is one of the Montreal organization's brightest prospects.
On the other hand, the decision to pay a large sum for Christian Dvorak turned out to be less fruitful. But that's another story.
In the end, the Habs seemed to emerge from this saga with an upper hand over the Hurricanes. They avoided overpaying for Kotkaniemi and achieved success young defenseman gaining attention throughout the NHL right now.
Imagine if, in the end, Engstrom allowed the Habs to acquire (via trade) the second center they never had in Kotkaniemi. That would be something.
After a while
– Let's talk about the devil.
Direction: game. 1#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ZLM1I9uivp
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 27, 2025
– Hehe.
Supposedly, the Nashville Predators would be willing to part ways with some veterans!
However, don't mention Jonathan Marchessault. @TonyMarinaro!
#lesickpodcast @belly2020 @alavoiemartel pic.twitter.com/y1Hz0sjqHV
– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) November 26, 2025
– That's understandable.
World Junior Championships, a “religion” in which Desnoyer wants to take part from https://t.co/VmS6h1f0Fu
– RDS (@RDSca) November 26, 2025
– Brett Hull almost wore a Habs uniform.
– Interesting.
Patrick Roy had already made a decision that would dramatically change Zachary Bolduc's youth career.
After three more or less productive games on the first line of CH, I want Martin St. Louis to do the same.
Explanations and information.
pic.twitter.com/erNKaDqNJJ
– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) November 26, 2025
