Montreal Canadiens: What does the future hold for Michael McCarron?
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens announced Michael McCarron had season-ending surgery putting his status in the organization up in the air.
No matter what the name is, no one wants to see a player be shut down because of an injury. The Montreal Canadiens had a lot of that last season with Shea Weber and Andrew Shaw to name a few, and although all situations sting, some sting even more. And Michael McCarron is unfortunately in one those situations.
The 2013 first-round pick was unsigned for the majority of the offseason before agreeing to sign his qualifying offer. He had one year to prove he was an answer for the Habs long-term which would be a difficult task considering the new mentality of the team as well as the new prospects in the system.
McCarron was unable to make the Montreal Canadiens out of camp and was sent down to play another season with the Laval Rocket. The 23-year-old struggled to stand out amongst the new faces in Laval including head coach Joël Bouchard but began to produce at a decent pace putting up seven goals and 14 assists in 32 games.
His defensive play improved as well with McCarron showing more commitment to his coverage using his size as a weapon to sustain body position and push opposing players off pucks.
He looked committed to playing the ‘physical energetic’ role which was his likely avenue to play in the NHL long term under Claude Julien‘s watch. But the injury derailed that whole initiative.
Laval’s 5-4 overtime loss on December 29th would be the last time we’d see McCarron. The Rocket kept his injury close to the chest as the only thing known about it was that it was an upper-body injury. However, there appeared to be some light at the end of the tunnel.
light. Read. Habs players flying under the radar
McCarron’s agent Wade Arnott told Lapresse that McCarron would play again this season. We now know that won’t be the case with the new announcement that a left shoulder surgery on Wednesday is shutting the young centre down for the year.
Taking a wild guess, it appeared Arnott’s take was based on McCarron not receiving the procedure.
It’s too bad this happened in a contract year. McCarron will be a restricted free agent for a second time, and with all the factors in play, it’s likely the Habs refrain from qualifying him. That could easily change, and Marc Bergevin may end up giving McCarron another one-year deal or at the very least qualify him.
At the same time, all things end at some point. The Habs have tried and hoped for McCarron to develop into someone who can play in the NHL every night. But he’s been surpassed in the prospect pool, and as more young players graduate, it makes less and less sense to sign him. At the same time, it can open up a new door for McCarron himself if he believes he has what it takes to make it to the show.
For now, we say get well soon McCarron, and we hope you have a speedy recovery. But it’s really looking as if that game at Place Bell will be his last in the Montreal Canadiens organization.
In Case You Missed It
The ongoing playoff seesaw with the Montreal Canadiens and the Atlantic
With how close things are between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, the remainder of the season will continue to see a flip flop in position until one of them goes on a run (hopefully it’s the Habs).
What the Auston Matthews extension means for the Montreal Canadiens
Restricted free agents have more power in today’s NHL and the Auston Matthews contract could hint at what’s to come for Jesperi Kotkaniemi if he becomes the centre we all hope he will.
Next. An All-Prospect Line Up. dark
Morning Links
McNiven: Taking it all in (NHL)
Michael McNiven may not have played in his two call-ups to the Montreal Canadiens, but he made the best out of the experience.
Former Canadiens assistant GM André Boudrias dead at age 75 (Gazette)
His 12 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens came with two Stanley Cups and a number of cherished memories.