Knowing that Joshua Roy is now with the main club (for good, according to several sources), that Patrik Laine and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard are about to return to action, and that there is clearly a significant congestion in the forward group, an announcement from Kent Hughes is expected.
Clearly, some forwards will have to pay the price, and the two names that have been identified are eligible for NHL waivers.
The two names to watch are indeed Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Michael Pezzetta, both of whom could be placed on waivers by Kent Hughes as early as this week.
In Pezzetta's case, it seems inevitable. He is clearly no longer in the team's plans and simply isn't playing anymore (3 games played this season).
In Harvey-Pinard's case, let's not forget that the Canadiens recently obtained special permission from Gary Bettman and the NHL, but this permission is about to expire.
We are very eager to see what Kent Hughes will do, but don't be surprised if a Canadiens player is placed on waivers as early as this week.
It will probably be Michael Pezzetta, but Rafaël Harvey-Pinard also seems at risk of losing his spot in Montreal, especially in favor of younger players like Emil Heineman and Joshua Roy.
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, 25, is a hardworking forward standing 5 feet 9 inches and weighing 181 pounds.
The Canadiens' 7th-round pick in 2019 has 31 points in 83 NHL career games, including 17 goals. Notably, he recorded 20 points in 34 games (14 goals) during the 2022-2023 season.
A situation to closely monitor this week.
POLL | ||
Which player would you place on NHL waivers if it were your decision? | ||
Michael Pezzetta | 510 | 34 % |
Harvey-Pinard | 240 | 16 % |
Both | 581 | 38.8 % |
None of the two | 167 | 11.1 % |
List of polls |