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Alex Belzile left the Canadiens because the team couldn’t offer him what Rafael Harvey-Pinard got, a one-way deal. The pact is good for two years and has an average salary of $1.1 million per season.

The left winger was drafted in the 7th round by the Canadiens at the 2019 NHL entry draft and had to start at the bottom of the ladder with an AHL deal before the Habs granted him an entry-level contract. Over the last three seasons, he spent most of his time with the Laval Rocket until he got a golden opportunity during the last campaign thanks to the plethora of injuries that affected the Canadiens.

Harvey-Pinard seized his opportunity with both hands, registering 20 points in 34 games but also showing that he was a highly versatile forward. As Kent Hughes said earlier this week, Harvey-Pinard does whatever is asked of him and never complains, whether he’s riding shotgun with Nick Suzuki or playing on the 4th line with AHL call-ups, his compete level is always the same.

Raphael Harvey-Pinard, signed 2x$1.1M by MTL... look, he played pretty tough top six minutes last season and had very good results, efficient scoring, and an elite penalty differential. Suzuki's numbers also improved big-time when they were put together. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/pyiiYGxvJ8

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 3, 2023

The one-way deal doesn’t guarantee him a spot in the NHL, but should he be sent back down to the AHL, he’d still be paid his full salary. There hasn’t been a media availability with him yet as he is currently enjoying the off-season in the Caribbean, but it’s easy to imagine how happy he must be.

Rafael Harvey-Pinard has three goals... in one period... for his FIRST @Enterprise hat trick! 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/2V2nWYCLND

— NHL (@NHL) March 26, 2023

When the deal expires, Harvey-Pinard will be 26 years old and a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. In other words, he’s got two years to show what he can do and then the team can decide if they want to sign him to a long-term contract.

It’s still early in the offseason to play what should the lines look like, but as things stands and taking into account that Hughes has been clear about the fact that he doesn’t want veterans impeding the development of younger players and that Christian Dvorak won’t be ready to start the season, I’d like to see something like this up front:

Caufield-Suzuki-Anderson
Slafkovsky-Dach-Harvey-Pinard
Newhook-Monahan-Gallagher
Pitlick/Pezzetta-Evans-Armia

Yes, for this exercise, Hoffman has either been miraculously traded or buried in the AHL. I’m putting Dach at center since Hughes has said that long-term, that’s where the organization sees him and I think Newhook should be eased in on the wing of the 3rd line with two veterans, at least until he finds his footing in Montreal and is used to St-Louis’ concepts. I’m also keeping Slafkovsky up in the NHL because I’m confident he can develop well there under the coaching team’s tutelage.

The team also announced a couple of one-way signings for the Rocket yesterday, bringing back Tobie Paquette-Bisson after the veteran blueliner spent a year with the Kings’ affiliate team in the AHL, the Ontario Reign and poaching goaltender Strauss Mann from the Sharks’ organization. This morning, a two-way contract (AHL/ECHL) was also signed with goaltender Zachary Émond.

At 11:00 am today, the only scrimmage of development camp will take place and it is expected to be aired on the team’s social media platform. Tune in for a chance to see 5th overall pick David Reinbacher play!

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