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A Chance for Harvey-Pinard |
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While the Habs elected not to sign the likes of Cole Fonstad and Alan McShane, it was announced on Friday that the Rocket had signed Raphael Harvey-Pinard to a one year AHL contract for the next season. Selected 201st overall in the 7th round by the CH at last year's draft, the Quebecer had a great season with the Saguenéens racking up 78 points in 62 games along with a +37 rating. He also received the Marcel-Robert Trophy as the players who presents the best achievements academically and on the ice in the LHJMQ. While this contract doesn't guarantee that he will make it to the big league, it's at least a step in the right direction. The 21 year old had finished his stay in the Quebec junior League and needed a place to play and clearly the Habs decided he was worth keeping close tabs on. There's no doubt that Joel Bouchard will be pleased to have this talented youngster at his disposal.
In other news, the league has now confirmed that the teams who will be eliminated in the play in round will be deemed not to have made the playoffs for trade purposes. In other words, if they were owed conditional picks depending on their playoffs fate, being in the play in round prevent them from receiving these picks. This makes sense really considering that round is not really the playoffs and the fact that the 8 teams that will fail to win their series will be eligible for the draft lottery.
Finally, If you've not listened to the conference call with player representatives Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher, what they essentially said was that there were still plenty of things to negotiate and settle before the players can come back to the ice. Clearly, everyone's priority is health right now and it makes perfect sense. Gallagher confirmed that he would remain in BC during phase 2 (when the players will be allowed to use team facilities to train in small groups on a voluntary basis). Considering the fact that Montreal is hit particularly hard by the pandemic and that he has access to all the training facilities he needs at home, including his strength coach of a dad, why would he hurry back to Montreal? Neither of the players would comment on the plans of their teammates and that's fair since the best way to move forward will very much be a personal decision for each player. Both confirmed that they were surprised that they could get the chance to compete for the Stanley Cup and that they were happy with this turn of events, what hockey player doesn't want a chance to win?
While we don't know which Habs players will come to Montreal for phase 2, it seem that the Lightning can already count on a few of their players to be there... They shared this video last week and I must admit, it made me smile:
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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