The Montreal Canadiens today proceeded to the recall of Raphaël Harvey-Pinard, a gesture that only surprises when we know the reluctance of Martin St-Louis to trust Michael Pezzetta.
However, this recall arouses several questions because Harvey-Pinard is going through an extremely difficult season with the Laval Rocket.
Since his return from injury, the 25 -year -old striker has struggled to regain his pace. His statistics are far from impressive, and his game is sorely lacking in energy that once made his strength.
4 meager goals, 7 meager passes for 11 lean points in 24 games and a differential of -2 … figures that do not deserve a reminder …
Already, his guaranteed salary of $ 1.1 million per season aroused some discomfort in the Laval locker room, where several of his teammates perform much better without obtaining the same recognition.
While Raphaël Harvey-Pinard is enjoying his recall with the Montreal Canadiens, it is difficult not to think of those who stay in the shade, despite much more radiant performances.
Put yourself in place of Jared Davidson and Alex Barré-Boulet, two players who were able to win this season in Laval with impressive statistics, but who must today wonder where the meritocracy system advocated by the ‘organization.
Davidson, with 14 goals, 10 assists for 24 points in 36 games, is a model of consistency and offensive efficiency.
And what about Barré-Boulet? With 8 goals and 21 assists for 29 points in 32 games, he is one of the most productive players on the team and a natural leader on the ice.
And yet, despite these performances, it was Harvey-Pinard who was recalled with shameful statistics.
A choice that sends a disturbing message to other players: work and production are not always rewarded.
It is clear that this decision creates discomfort in the rocket locker room. How not to feel a certain frustration by seeing a teammate being rewarded more for his guaranteed contract of $ 1.1 million than for his performance on ice?
Davidson and Barré-Boulet must wonder what to do more to be considered by management.
Harvey-Pinard’s recall seems to send a disturbing signal: regardless of the efforts made, the weight of the contract and the experience pass before pure and hard production.
Players could then start to lose confidence in a system where places are supposed to be won by merit and daily consistency.
We could justify this decision by the fact that Harvey-Pinard is perceived as an ideal support player for a fourth NHL trio, a role that Davidson and Barré-Boulet, more offensive, do not embody so naturally.
But does this reasoning really hold the road? A fourth modern trio is no longer limited to a simple defensive role.
Teams are relying more and more on deep trios capable of making an offensive contribution, which Davidson and Barré-Boulet brilliantly do in Laval.
The poor must ask themselves if they will one day have a real opportunity to carve out a place with the Canadian, or if they are only pawns.
Worse, this situation could affect their motivation and confidence, knowing that a recall seems to be based more on contractual criteria than on real performance.
For Harvey-Pinard, it is a golden opportunity to prove, but for those who stay in Laval, it is a brutal reminder that, sometimes, talent and efforts are not enough.
Let’s be clear: this recall is largely dictated by circumstances. The Canadian had to recall someone, and despite his difficulties, Harvey-Pinard has the advantage of a guaranteed contract that weighs heavy in the scale.
-Players like Jared Davidson or Alex Barré-Boulet, who are experiencing a much better campaign, must wonder why they were not rewarded for their efforts.
But the reality is simple: Kent Hughes and the management saw in Harvey-Pinard a temporary solution, a player already under contract at a salary which must be justified in one way or another.
The financial aspect clearly influenced this decision, because the organization did not want to recall a player to sign on a new entry contract.
Whatever the reasons behind this recall, one thing is certain: it is now or never for Harvey-Pinard.
He no longer has the luxury of time.
Emil Heineman gets closer to a return to the game, and when the Swedish is ready, Harvey-Pinard may well be the first to pay a return to Laval.
This recall offers him an unexpected opportunity to prove that it is still belonging to the NHL, that it can be more than a simple low -level plumber.
This will be an opportunity to demonstrate that he can contribute as a fourth trio player capable of bringing energy and reliability to the defensive zone.
It is clear that the future of Harvey-Pinard is not in Montreal. The Canadian is in full transition, focusing on youth and speed, qualities that are not the strengths of the Quebec striker.
However, this opportunity could serve as a hearing for the other 31 teams in the League.
A successful recall could allow him to hope to get a two -part contract next season, an option which now seems the only possible for the rest of his career.
He must absolutely grasp this chance, because reality is brutal: poor performance could mean the final end of his adventure in North America.
Despite his difficulties, Harvey-Pinard remains a player respected for his work ethics and his dedication to the team.
If he manages to regain his combative style of play and to offer solid performance, he could gain the confidence of Martin St-Louis and, at least, ensure a reliable presence within the team while Heineman returns.
Its role will be clear: bring energy, block shots, be solid in digital disadvantage and prove that it deserves each presence on ice.
He knows that he can no longer be content to wait until the opportunities come to him; He must grasp them with aggressiveness and the aggressiveness that have always defined him.
Raphaël Harvey-Pinard is a turning point in his career.
This recall of the Canadian is not a long -term favor, it is a final opportunity to prove that he can still be an NHL player.
But he has little time to do it.
The time has come for him to show that he can still contribute, that his history in the NHL is not yet over.
It’s up to him to play.
