Montreal Canadiens: Jacob de La Rose Made the Team

After the game on Saturday night for the Montreal Canadiens, it’s safe to say that Jacob de La Rose is going to make the team.

What a game that was wasn’t it? The Montreal Canadiens didn’t necessarily need a performance like that, but it’s always great to get a high-scoring game. The next stop is the regular season on October 5th.

Claude Julien for the most part knows what the team will be. Jonathan Drouin as the top line center, Shea Weber as the number one defenceman, and Carey Price as the starting goaltender. Of course there are some questions marks. Victor Mete will at least get the nine game trial, but he’ll definitely be watched. The Habs would have no reason not to keep him around if he can handle the grind.

Another mystery was surrounding the team’s fourth line center position. The battle went from a fatal four way to just a standard one v one. Peter Holland and Michael McCarron were taken out as possibilities after they were cut from camp on Saturday.

Related Story: Significance of Peter Holland on Waivers

It was just between Jacob de La Rose and Torrey Mitchell at that point. However, after that game against the Ottawa Senators, it’s safe to say that JDL made the team out of camp.

The Rose is Starting to Bloom

The Montreal Canadiens as a whole looked great against the Ottawa Senators. They chased newly extended goaltender Craig Anderson out of the net, and didn’t make Mike Condon‘s job any easier.

You could tell that Julien was going to test de La Rose this game. He played on a line with Paul Byron and Ales Hemsky which looked a lot better than we could’ve thought. The 22-year-old played 14 minutes and was tasked with time on the penalty kill.

He also scored two twice, one of which was shorthanded.

So de La Rose played more, was just as good in the face off dot, and scored twice. In a new era where fourth lines have more skill a player like him would be the best option.

It’s unfortunate for Mitchell since he’s the hometown boy, but you have to do what it takes to make your team better. Additionally, de La Rose has done enough as of late to be claimed off waivers if it got to that point.

Habs fans have started to worry about some of their prospects including JDL since they spend a lot of time in the organization but haven’t done much with it. This season looks like the start of something new for de La Rose. It will be a year where he is not just an injury fill-in or a, “let’s take a look at this kid” project.

The 2013 2nd round pick has earned this opportunity. He will be a key spoke on the wheel of what is to be a successful season for the Montreal Canadiens.

Next: What Do the Habs Do With Galchenyuk?

Do you agree that de La Rose will be on the team? What kind of impact will he have? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.