Four Lingering Questions for the Montreal Canadiens

Why Extend Michael McCarron?

Michael McCarron was walking into a situation at the beginning of last season where he would have to prove himself. Despite getting some games at the end of the 2017-18 season and believing he was an NHL player, McCarron still had a lot to do and show to be a Montreal Canadien full time.

He didn’t stand out enough at training camp and became more of a complementary piece on a poor Laval Rocket team. With his shoulder injury taking him out for the rest of the year, it seemed as if McCarron was done with the organization. That was until the Habs qualified along with Hudon, Artturi Lehkonen, Joel Armia, and Mike Reilly.

All have already signed new deals with the organization while McCarron is the final name remaining. Odds are he is signed to his qualifying offer similar to last season but is there a point?

It’s a nice gesture from Marc Bergevin and the Habs to give him one more chance to prove he can make it. At the same time, Laval still needs bodies and McCarron has shown he can be a serviceable player in the AHL.

But when it comes to training camp this year, McCarron will be in a battle against Nate Thompson, Jordan Weal, and Nick Cousins. All are more experienced in the NHL while Weal and Cousins specifically are good skaters who can match the pace of play the Montreal Canadiens established last season.

McCarron is in an uphill battle on rollerblades, and it’ll take a lot to push the envelope if that’s what the Habs have in store for him. Perhaps Bergevin takes a page from the Oilers and Flames and makes a deal with another team who has a lingering prospect. Those ‘change of scenery’ deals seem to work out sometimes, and maybe that’s what this all leads to.