The Montreal Canadiens aren’t handing Ryan Poehling a roster spot
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens first signed Christian Folin and the next stone to drop was Nate Thompson which could hint at an upcoming battle for Ryan Poehling.
Although the Montreal Canadiens found themselves playing a “meaningless” season finale against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ryan Poehling making his NHL debut added a special vibe to it. The 2017 first-round pick took that vibe to an even higher level after scoring a hat-trick as well as the shootout winner leading the Habs to a 5-4 decision which sent the fanbase into a chaotic explosion of excitement and optimism for what was to come.
But looking at the team’s centre depth, there isn’t much for Poehling to be played in a significant role.
Phillip Danault is the team’s top centre and an underrated portion of the first line with Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar on either wing. Max Domi proved the masses wrong with an incredible season down the middle putting up 28 goals and 44 assists in 82 games. Jesperi Kotkaniemi fought all year to prove he belonged despite being a rookie taking the third-hole for himself.
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The fourth line spot juggled between Matthew Peca, Michael Chaput before he was dealt, Jordan Weal, and Nate Thompson. Thompson was one of three deadline acquisitions by the Montreal Canadiens to add a reliable name as Claude Julien fell out of favour with his other options.
Peca is signed for the 2019-20 season, and after yesterday’s news, so is Thompson. The veteran was signed to a one-year deal with a $1 million cap hit. Not much of a commitment and a deal that can easily be buried in the minors if things go south.
Some took the news as a sign that Poehling wouldn’t make the team next year. Given the job description of a fourth line centre, it does make sense to have him instead play in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, play top-line minutes, and be used in key situations all season long.
However, Julien showed with Kotkaniemi this season that he’ll give an opportunity to a young player if they prove they can handle the grind of the NHL. Right now, it’s safe to assume the Habs’ four centres next season are Danault, Domi, Kotkaniemi, and Thompson. At the same time, there isn’t a life-long contract with the 34-year-old.
Poehling will have to walk into camp next season with the mindset of stealing someone’s job. Perhaps he can make Julien be a little creative and use him in more scenarios despite being the bottom-line centre. We saw the Montreal Canadiens give Poehling time on the penalty kill and if he can perfect that craft, it can wind up being a go-to strength in the NHL.
The fact of the matter is the Poehling hat-trick was both a blessing and a curse. The 20-year-old showed off his ability to score at the highest level, but fans will have that final game in their mind as the benchmark. Poehling could give the Montreal Canadiens a very dangerous fourth line if he can continue to push that pace and level of play against other teams’ fourths who may not have as much talent. He just has to make it there first.
The Montreal Canadiens aren’t going to hand Ryan Poehling a roster spot. He’ll have to earn it and if he progresses as we all think he will, winning a job shouldn’t be a problem.