Montreal Canadiens Need To Fill Void Left By Andrew Shaw

Ideally, the Canadiens would have an option to step up and play a top six role. I just don’t see that player on last year’s roster though. Armia and Lehkonen haven’t shown the consistent offence to play with Domi and Drouin.

Jordan Weal certainly isn’t a top six winger. Phil Varone and Riley Barber were brought in to play top six minutes in Laval, not Montreal. Ryan Poehling is the most intriguing, but it would be smart to keep him at center and maybe don’t expect him to score a hat trick every game like he did against the Maple Leafs in his only NHL action.

Paul Byron is the closest thing they have to another top six option, but he is best suited on the bottom six to prove depth scoring, be an incredible penalty killer and can jump up to fill in a bigger role from time to time when necessary. Plus, he is a left winger so moving him up would either put him or Drouin on their off wing which may not work either.

Otherwise, if the Habs want to fill the role internally, they could look to Nick Suzuki. The 20 year old dominated the OHL playoffs and definitely has the hands, speed, skill and scoring ability to eventually fill the role. But is he ready to play such a prominent part in the Habs lineup as soon as next season?

I doubt it. It would be best to let him start the year with the Laval Rocket, and allow him to start his pro career playing center. If he succeeds there, he could soon become an impact NHL player, but it is too soon to expect such a young player to play such a large role as a rookie.

The best bet might be to sign Dzingel who is an unrestricted free agent. That means there is no waiting period, no draft pick compensation and no rushing him to play a role that’s over his head. The Habs will miss Andrew Shaw, but Ryan Dzingel would be a great replacement.