Recently, Quebec forward Jakob Pelletier was put on NHL waivers by the Calgary Flames, and Kent Hughes did not select him. This decision seems to suggest that the Montreal Canadiens’ management favors Emil Heineman (and Oliver Kapanen) over Pelletier, although that hasn’t always been the case.
According to notable journalist Pierre LeBrun, the Canadiens had previously engaged in trade discussions with the Flames regarding Jakob Pelletier. In a recent podcast episode, he confirmed that there had been genuine negotiations between the two teams, but at that time, the Calgary GM was unwilling to trade the young Quebec forward.
Interestingly, LeBrun noted that Montreal and Calgary executed a trade in February 2022, coinciding with Hughes and Gorton’s strong interest in Pelletier. The trade involved Tyler Toffoli going to Calgary.
There are indications that Pelletier could have been included in that transaction, but the Flames opted not to part with him. Instead, they proposed Emil Heineman as a notable prospect for the Canadiens in exchange for Toffoli.
Now, considering the current landscape, who would you choose for your hockey team: Emil Heineman or Jakob Pelletier? Heineman was selected 43rd overall by the Florida Panthers in 2020, while Pelletier was chosen 26th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2019.
