Possible acquisition for the CH: the names of three young defensemen linked to Montreal, including young Bode Wilde

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Jeff Drouin
September 6, 2022 (11:37)

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It's no longer a surprise, the Montreal Canadiens definitely seem to be shopping for a young right-handed defenseman right now.

Kent Hughes (in a media scrum) and Jeff Gorton (in an interview) clearly mentioned it, and since then, a few names of young right-handed defensemen have been linked to the Montreal Canadiens.

There's Helge Grans:

Obviously, there is also Nils Lundkvist (Rangers), but in a recent article, Marco D'Amico also raised the name of Bode Wilde.

The thing about Wilde is that, unlike Grans and Lundkvist, Kent Hughes could most likely acquire him for free (or close to it).

Wilde, a New York Islanders defensive prospect, made news last season when he refused to get a shot, which led to a one-season suspension from Lou Lamoriello's organization (though it's far from certain that he'll rejoin the Islanders organization this year).

The veteran general manager then loaned him to Vasterviks IK in Sweden for the 2021-22 campaign.

"Wilde's relationship with the New York Islanders has been strained over the past few years, and the 22-year-old Montreal native likely needs a fresh start in a new organization.

Wilde plays a very offensive game, carrying the puck with ease, and he has the offensive tools to justify using the power play as well.

The 6'3 195lbs defenseman is currently stuck with the Islanders and has no realistic chance of reaching the NHL level with them..." - Marco D'Amico

The arrival of Alexander Romanov only takes Wilde away from the Islanders.

On that note, NYI Hockey Now spoke with Wilde's agent, Allain Roy, and Roy did not confirm whether his client would report to the Islanders' upcoming camp.

A change of scenery really seems necessary for the Quebecer, who was a bright prospect a few years ago.

Last season, he collected 10 points in 40 games in Sweden. He will be a free agent next summer, and everything indicates that the Islanders will release him.

Wilde, a 22-year-old native of Montreal, is a 41st overall pick in 2018, but he was ranked much higher than that, prior to the draft.

Against a late pick or future considerations, would you take him with the CH? He had 19 goals and 70 points, in just 62 games, in his 18th year in the OHL.

Credit: Habsolutely Fan