Montreal Canadiens Should Quit Delaying the Development of McCarron

The Montreal Canadiens need to decide how to develop Michael McCarron, or they will end up hurting him in the long run.

The Montreal Canadiens recalled towering forward Micheal McCarron over a week ago but he hasn’t played in the Habs past few games. McCarron was the Canadiens first round pick in 2013, and was picked 25th overall. Michael is a mammoth player and stands at six foot six inches tall and weighs over 230 pounds.

McCarron also plays like his size indicates, and never shies away from going to the dirty areas. Michael brings grit, toughness, and obviously size to the Canadiens. All of those qualities that McCarron posses are huge areas of need for the Habs.

Habs fans have waited a long time to see a Center with McCarron size and demeanor. This is what makes McCarron’s call up to the Canadiens roster so interesting. Also, McCarron has been recalled to help fill the void left by the injured Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais.

This means that McCarron has a huge opportunity to prove his potential with the team. If McCarron was to play well, he would very likely stick with Habs, because McCarron was made for playoff hockey. However, the questions become, why isn’t he being played, and how much opportunity will he have?

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McCarron’s Position Change

When McCarron was drafted he was a natural right winger, but this changed later on in his Junior Career. In fact McCarron wasn’t a highly ranked prospect when he was coming out for the draft in 2013. McCarron was ranked 35th overall in North America(Excluding European Skaters) by Central Scouting and the Habs picked him 25th overall.

Many wondered if the Habs over reached on a player simply because he was just bigger than everyone else. However, London Knights Head Coach Dale Hunter moved McCarron from the Wing to Center, and this added intrigue about McCarron’s status. Many wondered if McCarron could be the big Center that Habs fans have been dreaming of for years.

McCarron flourished while playing at Center, and he went on to score 41 points in 22 games with London. Later on during the 2014-15 season, McCarron was traded to the Oshawa Generals,but he continued his great production. McCarron then went on to be a huge factor in Oshawa’s Memorial Cup Championship.

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Hasn’t Flashed Scoring Touch

Since McCarron has left Junior he hasn’t had the same success in the AHL. McCarron has been able to score, but just not at the same rate as he was able to in Junior.

Last season, McCarron scored 17 goals and 38 points in 58 games with the St John’s Ice Caps. He was then recalled to the Canadiens and played 20 games, but only scored one goal and one assist. McCarron occasionally saw some Power Play time, but he mostly played on the fourth line, and wasn’t given many offensive opportunities.

Canadiens Delaying McCarron’s Development

It remains very unclear what the Canadiens see in McCarron. Is he a top six forward or a bottom six forward? Last season McCarron played a lot on the Wing as well, and this casts some doubt as to whether or not the Habs even see McCarron as a full time Center. Also, McCarron hasn’t even been inserted into the Habs lineup since being called up.

Granted, the Canadiens did pick up 5 out of six points since he was recalled. However, the Canadiens are loosing in the long run by not playing him or giving him any chance to produce. Torrey Mitchell, Brian Flynn and Phillip Danault are all good players, but it’s very clear what their roles are, bottom six players.

Big M Should be Playing

McCarron could have a higher ceiling, and should be playing, whether in the NHL or AHL. Just recalling McCarron and having him sit in the press box isn’t going to help him grow. Also, if the Canadiens do intend on playing him, they shouldn’t play him fourth line minutes, let him play and build chemistry with others.

Canadiens Head Coach Michel Therrien philosophy is to limit mistakes and he consistently limits the roles of young players who aren’t defensive specialists. This is good, in fact it’s awesome, because it shows that the Canadiens want to win, and believe they can win every game.

However, if this is the mind set of the organization, the Habs should just leave McCarron playing in the minors and let him learn there. In the minors McCarron and go out play, and learn from his mistakes. Recalling McCarron just to sit around or have a limited role is going to hurt his development.

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Final Thoughts

Obviously the Habs need a player that posses McCarron’s size and his qualities. However, the Canadiens need to give McCarron a chance to produce, or let him develop in the minors. McCarron could be the big center the Habs have always needed, or he could be having his development mishandled.