Montreal Canadiens: The next step for Rinat Valiev

The Montreal Canadiens chose to return Rinat Valiev to the Laval Rocket where he can get back on track and prove he’s worth investing in.

When the Montreal Canadiens acquired Rinat Valiev from the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was only a matter of time before he was up with the team. Regardless of the position of the team where they could afford to give younger players looks in the final stretch of the season, the 2014 third-round pick has proven over the years that he has what it takes to play in the NHL.

It didn’t take him long to get the call as he only played a single game for the Laval Rocket registering an assist on Kerby Rychel‘s power-play goal against the Bridgeport Tigers. Valiev made his debut with the Montreal Canadiens when they took on the Florida Panthers, but an injury in the team’s next game in New Jersey ended his stint in the NHL. Claude Julien told reporters that the young defenceman was close to returning to the lineup, but after taking part in his first full practice, the Habs chose to send him down to the AHL.

This is probably not the way Valiev wanted things to go as part of a new organization. Two games, two penalty minutes, and a single shot on goal doesn’t do much to push the needle, but again, if it wasn’t for his lower-body injury, he may have gotten more of an opportunity. Now the 22-year-old is back with the Laval Rocket where he will most likely finish the season.

Laval has five games left this year starting with Wednesday night when they take on the Rochester Americans. There’s plenty of time for Valiev to draw into the lineup and play well enough to prove that he doesn’t belong there anymore. The Rocket have been doing a good job in adding a lot of hopefuls and maybes through amateur tryouts in the last few weeks. At the top of the list are Johnny Austin and Trevor Owens who have quickly adjusted to the increased level of play.

More from Editorials

• Montreal Canadiens: Senators Rebuild At Crisis Point As Kent Hughes Moves Forward
• Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin Continues Charity Work In Montreal After Leaving Habs
• Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Lineup Going To Be Must Watch
• Montreal Canadiens: Jesse Ylönen Contract Extension Analysis
• Montreal Canadiens: Top 31 Prospects – #31 Quentin Miller

Valiev may not have anything to worry about. However, the extra bodies around should trigger him to have an impactful performance everytime he plays. Despite the Montreal Canadiens need for young defencemen who can skate, they could choose to move on from him in the offseason via trade or letting him walk.

Would it make sense? Not really. The Habs aren’t in a position to allow youth to leave freely, but at the same time, they could feel alright with the decision if there are others they believe can do an equal to or better job. It’s not just the tryouts Valiev has to worry about; there are also Montreal Canadiens draft picks who may prove to be good enough to jump up to the AHL.

The next step for Valiev is to get to work and continue working until the final buzzer goes off in the regular season. Competition, especially of the internal variety, brings out the best in young players and the Russian will be looking to channel that into an extension with the Montreal Canadiens.

Next: Thank the Toronto Maple Leafs for Joni Ikonen

If you haven’t been keeping up with the Laval Rocket this season, this may be the best time do it. Not only are the players competing with their opponents, but amongst themselves as well. There’s no telling who comes out with the victory and hopefully, Valiev does what he can to stay in the conversation as long as possible.