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

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The whole point of the conditioning stint would be missed if he were to come up now. The Habs still have another six days where they can keep Scherbak there. In the meantime, hopefully, he puts out better efforts and works for his spots to prove he can be effective at the next level. For now, it’s Agostino’s opportunity, and he’s earned it.

It would also send a bad message to the rest of the organization if Scherbak played. Everyone has been preaching attitude and work ethic since the beginning of the year. Agostino is a prime example of what the Montreal Canadiens should expect, and Scherbak isn’t there yet. And perhaps this is the spark he needs to pick up the pace.

Laval has three games within that frame with two in Cleaveland and another back at home against the Toronto Marlies. Scherbak has his window, and it’ll be interesting to see what he does with it.

Moving back to Agostino, he has a special shot here. He has the speed the Montreal Canadiens have been rolling with all season and could do some serious damage with Matthew Peca on the fourth line. But that would have Claude Julien play one of Nicolas Deslauriers or Andrew Shaw on the third line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Shaw get the nod at first but Agostino could work his way up to that.

The first test will be Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Agostino kept his promise. He’s in the NHL again. Now he has to keep the train going and work hard to ensure it lasts as long as possible.