Free washer | Who, in Laval?

Once again at the Canadiens’ training camp, many let themselves be caught in the trap of exuberance: the Laval Rocket was going to have a young, talented roster teeming with hope for the big club.

On offense there were Joshua Roy, Owen Beck, Filip Mesar, Jared Davidson; Perhaps Sean Farrell would bounce back and Luke Tuch and Florian Xhekaj would be knocking on the door in a supporting role. All hopes were high in defense for Logan Mailloux and Adam Engström. In short, there were perhaps even too many hopes in Laval in the eyes of some.

Four months later, reality hit relentlessly. Emil Heineman is injured and the short recall of Beck, 20 years old, probably the best young player in Laval, was not conclusive. We’d rather use Michael Pezzetta for a few measly minutes per game than recall a player from the American League. Even the young veterans, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, 26, and Alex Barré-Boulet, 27, did not receive the call they hoped for.

In defense, right-hander Logan Mailloux, after a thunderous start, slowed down. This late first-round pick in 2021, who turns 22 in April, had 12 points in his first 7 games in the American League this season, with a +6 record. This offensive specialist amassed 6 in the following 26 games, with a record of -8. His challenge remains improving his defensive game. His brief recall to Montreal was far from being conclusive. He seemed overwhelmed by the events in his area.

Swedish left-handed defender Adam Engström, 21, drafted in the third round in 2022, seems to have moved ahead of him in the hierarchy, but he is stuck for the moment behind Arber form) for the latest positions available in Montreal.

There is obviously Jakub Dobes, the Rocket’s starting goalkeeper for two years, whose debut in Montreal was resounding. And this is probably where the role of an American League farm club remains the most convincing: the development of goalkeepers, which always takes more time. Unless your name is Carey Price or Patrick Roy, goaltenders have to spend a few seasons there before being ready for the rigors of the NHL.

In short, the trend continues in Laval despite the impressive number of players drafted in recent years. We will develop one or two attackers per season, usually a support player like Jake Evans a few years ago and Emil Heineman this season. Maybe one of Owen Beck or Joshua Roy, and a defender in the next few years.

But otherwise, we repeat, the main actors made the jump directly or almost, Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Hutson, Guhle; Dach, Laine and Newhook with their previous clubs.

That doesn’t make the Laval Rocket any less interesting, obviously. The Rocket are third overall with a 24-11-2 record and the playoffs could be exciting. Especially if they allow young defender David Reinbacher to regain his momentum after spending a significant portion of the winter in the infirmary.

Another facet which makes the school club important, provided that its role is not overestimated.