The Montreal Canadiens have ended their short stint with Kerby Rychel moving him to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Hunter Shinkaruk.
Around three weeks from the beginning of training camp, the Montreal Canadiens have dealt with another one of their restricted free agents. However, it’s not as many would’ve expected at first. Kerby Rychel, originally acquired in the Tomas Plekanec trade along with Rinat Valiev, has been moved again, this time to the Calgary Flames. In exchange, the Habs have added Hunter Shinkaruk to the fold.
Rychel played in 16 games for the Laval Rocket this season putting up 8 goals and 4 assists. He was eventually called up when injuries were at its peak in Montreal and suited up for 4 games scoring 2 points including his first NHL goal since the 2015-16 season. However, his fit on the team was up in the air, and that could’ve played a role in why it took so long for a contract to be settled on.
The Montreal Canadiens will still need to work on a deal though as Shinkaruk is a restricted free agent as well.
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The 23-year-old has been in the AHL for the majority of his professional career. However, he’s had middling contributions in the minors and just recently put up 17 goals and 15 assists in 63 games with the Stockton Heat. He also hasn’t seen too much in the NHL so far. Shinkaruk has only 15 games to his name split between the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames and 4 points to match.
Considering the numbers Shinkaruk put up in junior in Medicine Hat and the fact that he was a first-round pick, there’s a chance at something more. He’s been talked about a lot as being a ‘frustrating’ prospect but it’ll be interesting to see if he can find his stride with the Montreal Canadiens.
For right now, he’s another depth acquisition for the Laval Rocket. The Habs are in a similar position here to when they had to re-sign Joel Armia when he was an RFA. Shinkaruk is in a new environment and needs to prove his stock to them on the ice.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a deal fairly quickly, and then it’s on to training camp.