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Montreal Canadiens: Calling up Kenny Agostino over Nikita Scherbak was the right move

By Omar L

OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Montreal Canadiens left wing Kenny Agostino (47) applies pressure on the forecheck during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on September 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Montreal Canadiens left wing Kenny Agostino (47) applies pressure on the forecheck during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on September 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
LAVAL, QC – OCTOBER 12: Montreal Canadiens Kenny Agostino Nikita Scherbak (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

The Montreal Canadiens took another hit injury-wise with Joel Armia allowing Kenny Agostino to get the call over Nikita Scherbak.

There are similarities and differences between this Montreal Canadiens team and last year’s.

For starters, they’re winning. The Habs still have hold of the first wild-card spot with an 8-5-2 record (18 points). Goaltending has improved as well from Carey Price‘s end, and there are very few nights where the team has been completely beaten. However, injuries are something you can never prepare for.

Montreal had a significant number of them last season, and this season isn’t any different. The latest entry is Joel Armia who was on the wrong end of a knee-on-knee Tuesday night against the New York Rangers. And with Paul Byron officially moved to the injured reserve, management chose to call for reinforcements from the Laval Rocket.

But the name wasn’t one who many expected. That being Nikita Scherbak. Instead, it was Kenny Agostino who the Montreal Canadiens signed to a one-year $700,000 contract.

There are two sides to this story. On the one hand, Agostino is the logical choice. The 26-year-old is doing what he’s done his entire career in dominating the AHL. He is currently leading Laval in scoring with four (4) goals and six (6) assists in 12 games as the team’s top line left-winger.

It’s more than the offensive production. Agostino has been a workhorse since training camp and was amongst the final cuts. He mentioned in the offseason that it was his goal to play in the NHL this year and he’s put in the minutes and effort to reach it.

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