The panel discusses the Canadiens’ decision to put Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky on the fourth line. Petteri Nurmi is a lesser-known Montreal Canadiens prospect. He was the first pick of the seventh round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s a defenseman who has some tools, so I feel like he’s a prospect worth exploring. At 22, all defensemen in the system are worth exploring. You can never have too much depth on defense. Back in 2021-22, he was a point-per-game in Mestis, and he played most of his time in Liiga. Ok, there was something there. From 2022 through this season, he has produced minimal offensive numbers. 16 points is his career high so gar although before he was traded this season, he had 10 points in 25 games so that’s improvement. According to InStat, he’s averaging 18:31 ice time. That’s really good. He’s winning 66% of his puck battles, that’s outstanding. Defense isn’t his strong point, but he does block shots, and he has some pushback. Nurmi [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/montreal-canadiens-have-lost-the-rights-to-three-prospects] is a calm passer. I like his first pass, and his backward skating and edgework are good. He’s 6’0”, he has a good one-timer, and he knows how to move the puck up the ice. His puck retrieval is good, and he can play at pace. Nurmi [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/montreal-canadiens-have-lost-the-rights-to-three-prospects] would be good in Laval, and I think with a few seasons there, he might be able to play in the NHL. I know the Canadiens have lost his rights but he could still be in play for an AHL deal to start. I’m not sure yet but he seems like he could be a bottom-pairing defenseman if he can make it at all.
