Are the Canadiens giving too much ice time to Lane Hutson? Rasmus Bergqvist is a not well-known prospect of the Montreal Canadiens. They selected him in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Most seventh round picks are long shots to have a professional career, but this defenseman had a good showing at the 2025 World Junior Championship. This 6’2” blueliner is interesting. He showed more offense in the World Juniors than you would have expected. One play that stood out was a nice pass that helped get Otto Stenberg a goal against Finland. Stenberg gets all the credit, but Bergqvist got that play going. In a game against Slovakia, he was given a ton of space, something that is never advisable and he wristed home a goal. He showed a good release, and he was decisive. The rearguard showed opponents that he’s more than a puck mover. Bergqvist [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/sandin-pellikka-bergqvist-lead-swedes-from-back-end-over-slovakia] had one point in 25 SHL games so his three points against his age group is good. Does that mean he’s an offensive defenseman? No, he is a good puck-moving defenseman who makes safe clears and a simple game that makes him invisible on the ice at times during the game. It’s nice to see a player emerge at this tournament. It’s never a 100% predictor of future success. However, the fact that the Canadiens drafted him and now can see him being developed in the SHL is all a big positive. At some point, they can bring him over, have him play in Laval and, let's see what he’s got.
