The Montreal Canadiens have reportedly initiated contact with defenseman Mattias Norlinder regarding a potential contract for the upcoming season. Norlinder, who has shown promise as a young defenseman, has been a part of the Canadiens’ organization since being drafted in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Norlinder has spent the past few seasons developing his game in both the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Frölunda HC and within the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. Known for his strong skating, puck-moving ability, and offensive upside, Norlinder is seen as a player who could eventually make an impact at the NHL level.
The Canadiens’ interest in bringing Norlinder into the fold for the 2023-2024 season could be motivated by their need to inject more young talent into their defensive corps. Montreal is currently in a rebuilding phase and is likely looking to give more opportunities to its younger players as part of this process.
Securing Norlinder for this season would allow the Canadiens to continue his development within their system, possibly giving him a chance to compete for a spot on the NHL roster or, at the very least, continue to hone his skills with more regular playing time in the AHL.
If a deal is finalized, it will be interesting to see how Norlinder fits into the Canadiens’ plans and whether he can translate his potential into a consistent NHL presence.
