The Montreal Canadiens and Michael McCarron are close to finishing up a new contract, but if things don’t change, it could be his last with the organization.
The biggest source of buzz and interest on Tuesday came from Max Pacioretty‘s golf tournament and all the narratives that went along with it. However, another piece of information surfaced regarding the Montreal Canadiens and Michael McCarron.
The 2013 first-round pick was in restricted free agent lockdown with Kerby Rychel before he was traded to the Calgary Flames. But with weeks before the start of training camp, McCarron still doesn’t have a contract for the 2018-19 season while newest addition Hunter Shinkaruk got a deal not too long after the move. According to Richard Labbè of LaPresse, McCarron and the Montreal Canadiens are close to a new deal.
Wade Arnott, McCarron’s agent, was the source of the information acknowledging that his client is in a similar position this seasons as he was last. It’s going to be a tough run for him to make the team out of camp with the number of players already ahead of him, even if the goal is to be the fourth line centre. Jacob de La Rose and Matthew Peca will have something to say about that making the likelihood of another AHL start fairly high.
Another interesting thing about the article was that the contract McCarron will be accepting is apparently a short-term one. Whether that means one year or two won’t be known until it’s officially announced. A deal solely for this upcoming season made the most sense as it would put some pressure on McCarron to stand out in a newly revamped prospect system that has pushed him down.
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However, if it’s a two-year contract, it extends his window to the following year which may give him a better chance at making the cut. That said, de La Rose and Peca are still going to be kicking around. Perhaps McCarron improves his defensive play to the point that Claude Julien seems him as a serviceable replacement for Tomas Plekanec.
Who knows, but it sure does feel like this contract may be the last one he gets with the Montreal Canadiens. He’s been with the organization for five years and has had a minimal impact in the NHL. And speaking freely, it may be the fact that he was a first-round selection in why management is extending the leash to him for so long.
But with the likes of other drafted prospects like Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ryan Poehling, and Jake Evans around, the Habs are at a point where they can afford to part ways with young players if it’s for the best. That may be more enforced in the next year or two after further years of drafting.
It’s been an overused line with McCarron, but he needs to step up and show what he can be for the Canadiens now and in the future. Although he’s been quoted saying that he feels he’s an NHL player, nothing has been done to prove that sentiment at all. At the same time, playing portions of the regular season isn’t going to do much either.
We’re also way past the point where it can be blamed on a congested lineup. It is points such as these in a player’s career where forcing a coaching staff’s hand speaks volumes to their growth.
Victor Mete did it at 19, Artturi Lehkonen did it at 21, Nikita Scherbak is looking to do it this season at 22, and it’s McCarron’s turn at 23 to do the same.