Following a broken leg injury sustained in the summer that required surgery, Rafael Harvey-Pinard is returning to action. However, it will not be with the Montreal Canadiens. The team has loaned Harvey-Pinard to the Laval Rocket on a long-term conditioning stint. There is no timetable for his return to the Canadiens and it’s unclear where he fits into the team’s long-term plan if he is to be recalled. Let’s examine Rafael Harvey-Pinard’s return to action and what it means for his future with La Bleu Blanc Rouge.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard to Laval Rocket
25-year-old Harvey-Pinard has had a rollercoaster few years with Montreal. Following an injury-plagued 22-23 season for the Canadiens he was given a callup where he saw big minutes with the club. Playing alongside Nick Suzuki for the majority of his stint, as well as on the first power play unit, he was able to notch 14 goals in only 34 games. This pace over a full season would equate to a 33-goal pace for the young forward.
Harvey-Pinards Rollercoaster Couple of Seasons
The following season it was expected that RHP could put up big numbers for the club and have a breakout campaign. However, that was not in the cards as he suffered several injuries which limited him to only 45 games. When he was healthy, he was a shadow of his former self as he notched only two goals and ten points. This season, he has yet to suit up and will instead get his first taste of action in Laval as he should play in one of the teams next couple of games.
How Long Will Harvey-Pinard Remain in Laval?
With the injuries and lack of production affecting his development, it’s unclear how long he will remain in the minors. The Canadiens labeled the demotion as nothing more than a conditioning stint. The Rocket have been on a tear to begin the year and adding Harvey-Pinard to the mix will give them even more of a boost.
Once he is up to game speed, however, he may remain in Laval for longer than expected. Apart from his outlier year where he notched 14 goals, he hasn’t shown any consistency at the NHL level. It’s unclear where he fits on the Canadiens roster with someone like Emil Heineman having taken over his role. The imminent return of Patrik Laine also leaves one less roster spot available. Harvey-Pinard may only return to the team in the event of an injury. He may not even be the first call-up either as we saw Lucas Condotta already receive a call-up. The play of Joshua Roy and Alex Barre-Boulet has certainly earned them an opportunity as well. It will be an uphill battle for Harvey-Pinard to make his return to the Canadiens lineup.
Where He Ultimately Fits in the Canadiens Future
The Canadiens have one of the best young cores in the league. They have prospects like Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, Owen Beck, and Joshua Roy looking to join the forward corps. Not to mention Oliver Kapanen who was recently returned to the SHL after starting the year in Montreal. With many younger more skilled forwards being added to the mix, Harvey-Pinard’s spot on the roster becomes uncertain.
The likes of Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, and Jake Evans will likely be gone to free agency in the summer. Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher only have a couple of years on their deals assuming they aren’t dealt beforehand. There will be roster spots available in the near future but it will be up to Harvey-Pinard to prove to the Canadiens brass that he’s worthy of one of them.
Main Photo: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
