Montreal Canadiens: A big day for the future of the team
The Montreal Canadiens took another step in the right direction by signing Michael Pezzetta and William Bitten to, and there are others to come down the road.
Learning of the Montreal Canadiens getting Michael Pezzetta and William Bitten to entry-level contracts wasn’t a surprise at all. Regardless of the fact that the team had to so the organization could hold on to their rights, the Habs have a lot to look forward to in those young forwards.
Bitten has always been a player management has kept their eyes on and brought a lot to the team at training camp. The 19-year-old is on pace to have his best season in the OHL with 61 points and 59 games and is already guaranteed a playoff spot as part of the Hamilton Bulldogs who are the second-best team in the league.
Pezzetta went through a lot of growth this season adding more to his game than big hits and penalty minutes. Although that aspect of his playing style is still there, but he has character and qualities of a true leader, both of which the Habs organization are still prioritizing in their quest for young talent. As far as Pezzetta’s growth, the left-winger has 22 goals split between the Sudbury Wolves and Sarnia Sting and his hit 50 points for the first time in his OHL career.
These entry-level contracts are just the first step for both forwards. Seeing as how they will be 20 to start the season next year, they’ll be eligible to play for the Laval Rocket. In fact, Pezzetta and Bitten could see games in the AHL this season in the unfortunate event that either is knocked out early in the playoffs.
If things continue to trend in this direction, the Rocket could get a significant boost of talent in the next few months. It’s already great that Kerby Rychel can’t stop scoring as he scored twice in Laval’s 6-3 loss to the Providence Bruins. That brings his total to four goals and an assist in the four games he’s played with the Rocket.
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Not to mention Jake Evans who also needs a contract, and will most likely get one after his season with the University of Notre Dame is over. Once that happens, expect him to make his professional debut in Laval as well. The 2014 seventh-round pick is continuing to have a phenomenal year with 11 goals and 37 assists in 34 games. He’s also a candidate for the Hobey Baker award and a finalist for the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year which is music to Claude Julien‘s ears.
No one is thinking that any of these players are going to step in and have an instant impact. The transition from junior and college hockey to the pros is a tough one, but it’s a positive sign to see so many youth getting ready for the challenge. The Habs, however, need to ensure that they’re growing in the right system and being placed in the right positions to succeed.
Victor Mete, Mike Reilly, Noah Juulsen, and Nikita Scherbak are players to pay attention to for the next set of years. It looks like the Habs already have the next wave ready to go, and we haven’t even talked about Ryan Poehling yet.
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Who are you excited to see play for the Habs? Can either thrive as well in the AHL as they did in junior? Let us know in the comments.