Montreal Canadiens submit qualifying offers to six players
The Montreal Canadiens announced that they submitted qualifying offers to six players on Monday.
They are forwards Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen, Michael Pezzetta and Ryan Poehling, defenceman Otto Leskinen and goalie Michael McNiven.
In 56 games with the Habs in 2020-2021, Kotkaniemi tallied five goals and 20 points. The 21-year-old centre has added five goals and eight points in 19 playoff games.
Lehkonen provided seven goals and 20 points in 47 games last season. He added three goals and four points in 17 playoff games. He also scored the game-winning goal in Game 6 against Vegas, sending his team to the Stanley Cup Final.
Pezzetta played 20 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL), recording two goals and five points.
In his second season in the pros, Poehling led the Rocket with 25 points in 28 games. The forward set personal bests in goals (11), assists (14) and points in the AHL.
Leskinen led Rocket defencemen with 16 assists and 17 points in 33 games with Laval. He played one game with the Habs on April 10. Leskinen signed a two-year contract with Jokerit in Finland. By submitting an offer, the Habs retain his rights should he return to North America.
McNiven played 13 games for the Rocket, posting a 7-3-3 record and a 2.59 GAA. The Winnipeg native posted one shutout.
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 26, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.