Montreal Canadiens: Charles Hudon Rewarded For Strong Play With Laval Rocket
The Montreal Canadiens rewarded Charles Hudon for his recent strong play with the Laval Rocket by calling him up for another chance with the NHL club.
The Montreal Canadiens rewarded Charles Hudon for his strong recent play with the Laval Rocket. He was called up to the Habs roster to replace an injured Jonathan Drouin for last night’s game against the New York Rangers.
The 25 year old left winger has been up and down between Montreal and Laval for much of this season. He is proving to be a terrific goal scoring threat at the minor league level, but can’t seem to bring that same scoring punch when ht suits up for the big club.
The Alma, Quebec native was drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft but has had a decent pro career for someone drafted so late. He scored 28 goals in the AHL during the 2015-16 season and followed that up with 27 in 56 games the next year.
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In 2017-18, Hudon looked like he earned a permanent role on the Canadiens roster when he scored ten goals and 30 points in 72 games. That is certainly not elite level offensive production, but when you get that much scoring from a fourth line winger who is more than comfortable in his own zone, you have a valuable depth piece.
Last season was a disaster for Hudon though. He was on the Habs roster all year, but scored just three goals and five points while only suiting up for 32 games. Otherwise, he was made a healthy scratch as he just could not find a role for himself on the team.
This season, Hudon played well during training camp, but was placed on waivers just before the season began and sent to the Laval Rocket when he passed through unclaimed. After a good start, and with left wingers Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron injured on November 15th, Hudon was called up for another NHL stint. He played nine games in late November and into December, but failed to score a goal and had one assist.
He was sent back to Laval in December and has played well for the Rocket. He has played especially well lately and earned another recall with his production at the AHL level.
So far this season, Hudon has scored 27 goals and has eight assists in 46 games for the Laval Rocket. He is fourth in the AHL in goals scored this season and leads the league in power play markers.
Hudon has been especially hot in his last 11 games. He has mostly played on the wing with Jesperi Kotkaniemi in that time and while Kotkaniemi has 11 points in 11 games, Hudon has matched that production with seven goals and four assists in those 11 contests. Now, he gets another chance to show he can produce at the highest level.
It could be Hudon’s last chance to prove that, at least with the Montreal Canadiens. Hudon will turn 26 this June and with another wave of prospects ready to turn pro, he could lose his spot in the organization. He will be a restricted free agent so the Habs could easily retain his rights for one more year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but it could be time to just part ways and give him a chance to prove himself in another organization.
Next. Habs stuck with shorthanded roster. dark
Hudon will have to prove quickly that he is worth keeping around. He needs to show he is more than just an AHL goal scorer. Otherwise, he could be cut loose this summer and be looking for work outside of his home province.