Despite the inconsistent play of late, the season so far for the Montreal Canadiens has been positive. The Habs sit a top of the Atlantic division with 62 points. More impressively, the Canadiens have been dealing with key injuries to big names on the team. These injuries have given fans exposure to some of the young prospects in the system. The biggest takeaway this season has been the play of their younger players who have contributed when called upon.
Montreal Canadiens Future Looks Bright
The Montreal Canadiens have had 12 AHL players appear in an NHL game this season. What speaks volume is these players have come into the lineup and held their own. The youngsters who have filled in for injuries will only benefit from their time with the team. It will be something they continue to work towards so they can lock down a roster spot for themselves.
Three players in particular that will have bright futures for the Montreal Canadiens are Michael McCarron, Charles Hudon and Nikita Scherbak.
Michael McCarron
The Canadiens drafted Michael McCarron with their first round pick in 2013. At the time of the selection, McCarron was still very raw with his talent and was considered a project. Although, McCarron was physically dominant, standing at six foot six and weighing in at 235 pounds. His size gave the Habs a prospect unlike others in the system.
McCarron in his junior career was successful winning the 2015 Memorial Cup with the Oshawa Generals, a team he stood out on, not only for his size. He made his NHL debut this year after spending all last season with the St. John’s Ice Caps in the AHL. In his first professional year with the Ice Caps he collected 38 points in 58 games.
McCarron has played in 20 games this season with the Canadiens, but hasn’t posted big numbers, only registering a goal and an assist. Regardless of his lack of offensive output, McCarron has shown that he can use his big body to be physical. The coaching staff has also experimented with his size to be a net presence on the power play, which worked at the time.
McCarron’s offence may come around once he gets more exposure in the NHL. What the big centreman has proven this season is that he can be reliable defensive player. McCarron doesn’t need to put the puck in the net to be an effective NHL player.
Charles Hudon
The next player that is fulfilling the expectations of the organization is Charles Hudon. The Quebec native finally got his opportunity to play for his childhood team for the first time this year. Hudon appeared in three games with the club before going down with an injury. However, in those three games Hudon collected two assists while also displaying his quickness and playmaking abilities.
Hudon’s size at 5’10” may be his downfall, but his offensive game certainly is not. In his rookie year in the AHL, Hudon played in 75 games finishing second on the team in points with 57. For his efforts Hudon earned a spot in the AHL All Star game. He went on to score 3 goals and an assist, giving him the co-MVP of the game.
Three games is a small sample size to judge a players success in the NHL. Although, Hudon generates scoring opportunities and using his crafty puck handling skills. Hudon’s game brings an element to a Montreal team that is lacking to find ways to score.
Nikita Scherbak
Lastly, the newest draft pick of the three is Nikita Scherbak. The 2014 first round pick possesses skill and size to be an effective NHL top six forward for the Canadiens.
In his two seasons in the WHL, Scherbak registered 160 points in 130 career games. His strong junior career gave the Canadiens confidence to take the Scherbak with high expectations for the future.
Scherbak made his NHL debut this season and scored his first career goal in that same game. Along with Hudon, Scherbak has played in three games for the Canadiens this year. In his short stint with the team he already has shown fans that he is gifted offensively. Scherbak is another player that can help fix the Habs issues of creating offence and scoring goals.
He still needs some time to develop an all around game in the AHL. Once the young Russian shows he can dominate in the minors, the Habs will have a very dangerous top six forward cementing his spot on this team.
With the Habs becoming healthier, all three players are back in St. John’s continuing to impress in the minors. The hockey world knows about the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rookie duo of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Same could be said about Patrik Laine out in Winnipeg. The Habs may not have that big name youngster like the previous teams, but the different types of players currently in the organization is something Habs fans should be happy about.
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