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    Chris Galanopoulos
    Chris Galanopoulos
    Jun 2, 2024, 12:02

    The Montreal Canadiens lose the exclusive signing rights of three selections from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

    The Montreal Canadiens lose the exclusive signing rights of three selections from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

    On Saturday, the Montreal Canadiens exclusive signing rights expired for Cedrick Guindon, Petteri Nurmi, and Miguel Tourigny. As a result, the three players become eligible to get selected by any organization at the NHL's Entry Draft later this month in Las Vegas. 

    Guidon was drafted in the fourth round, 127th overall of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 5-foot-10 inches center completed his third season with the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Owen Sound Attack, where he scored 26 goals, 57 points, and minus-30 rating in 68 games. 

    "He's a very talented kid who's an explosive skater. He can make plays. He isn't the biggest guy, but he can read plays really well," co-director of amateur scouting Martin Lapointe said following the selection. 

    Nurmi was drafted in the seventh round, of the same draft class. The left-shot defenseman completed his third season with HPK Hameenlinna in Finland's Liiga, where he obtained 16 points in 60 matches. 

    "He's a very mobile defenseman who's very good at retrieving pucks in the corners and moving pucks quickly in transition," Lapointe evaluated in July 2022. "He needs to keep getting stronger, but his potential is high. He can start the rush fast and sees passing lanes well, too, so we're happy that we drafted him."

    Tourigny was the organization's final selection in 2022, choosing him 216th overall. The Victoriaville, Quebec native signed an American Hockey League (AHL) contract for this past season, but spent the entire year with the Canadiens ECHL affiliate in Trois-Rivieres. With the Lions, he totaled 38 points and minus-22 in 61 contests. 

    "He's a smaller defenseman, but he's very dynamic offensively," Lapointe spoke about the 5-foot-8-inches right-shooting defender. "He wants to be offensive. He has character and flair in his game, and it shows."

    Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.

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