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Montreal Canadiens: AHL Tryouts who deserve a contract for 2018/19

By Omar L

LAVAL, QC - APRIL 06: Laval Rocket defenceman Trevor Owens (20) gains control of the puck behind the net during the Springfield Thunderbirds versus the Laval Rocket game on April 6, 2018, at Place Bell in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - APRIL 06: Laval Rocket defenceman Trevor Owens (20) gains control of the puck behind the net during the Springfield Thunderbirds versus the Laval Rocket game on April 6, 2018, at Place Bell in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LAVAL, QC – (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Trevor Owens

The University of Denver alumni was one of the most confident tryouts for Laval this season. From his debut game, Trevor Owens looked mentally and physically capable of playing in the AHL skating well and making quick and smart decisions with the puck. Additionally, one of the things the defenceman mentioned in his first post-game interview was that he liked to take care of his crease and protect his goaltenders and we saw that a lot.

Generally used on the second pairing whenever given the nod, Owens did his best to be a rock on Laval’s defence and at times was given a chance to play more minutes and higher in the lineup. Regardless of who is the new head coach, the will like what Owens brings to the table and should be one of the tryouts to receive a contract.

4. Anthony Beauregard

Similarly to Korostelev, Anthony Beauregard went into this tryout with something to prove, even though he may not have been consciously aware of it. The 22-year-old came off a season of leading USports in points with 19 goals and 41 assists in 28 games. However, considering this wasn’t the first time the Montreal Canadiens reached out to a player who reached similar heights, there was a decent level of skepticism.

Beauregard didn’t have the same impact on Laval offensively, but he made a nice niche for himself as the team’s fourth line centre. He had a decent level of defensive responsibility in the bottom nine and finished his year with an accurate shot to beat Calvin Pickard in the last game of the regular season.

Next: Draft Lottery Casualty

Even if none of these players make the main Laval Rocket roster, it would still be nice to have them in the organization and boosts for the Brampton Beast (assuming the affiliation is renewed). Michael McNiven is proof that starting in the ECHL doesn’t mean you’re destined to stay there, and those four players have the ability to be contributors in the AHL.

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