A Winning Habit
Fansided

Five Montreal Canadiens prospects who may be at the end of the road

By Omar L

WINDSOR, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Cam Hillis (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Cam Hillis (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
KELOWNA, BC – FEBRUARY 28: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze) /

Cole Fonstad

Samuel Houde was the second player the Montreal Canadiens selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, but Cole Fonstad was the first. His WHL career has been a rollercoaster, which has shaped the perception of his play.

Fonstad was a top-five pick in the WHL draft but only managed 11 goals and 15 assists in 69 games by the end of his rookie season. He picked things up in year two, really showing off the skill that made him so sought after in perfect time as the 2017-18 season was his draft year. Fonstad answered the bell, finishing the year a little over a point per game with 21 goals and 51 assists for 73 points in 82 games.

The point production improved, which saw Fonstad score eight more goals (29). His point total didn’t change, but doing it in five fewer games was a shining spot on that regular season. Unfortunately, the tide began to turn on Fonstad in the playoffs.

The Prince Albert Raiders took the WHL by storm winning the championship, but Fonstad’s production fell only scoring 6 points in 21 games. That changed in the Memorial Cup as he scored a big goal against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies while adding two more assists. The Raiders didn’t win the Cup, but it was still good to see Fonstad back to his usual pace of appearances on the scoresheet.

The 2019-20 season would see Fonstad switch sweaters after putting up 2 goals and 7 assists in his first nine games with the Raiders. The Everett Silvertips was the new home team, and the Estevan native made his presence known quickly. Fonstad’s goal scoring was down, but he put up over 50 assists with the new club.

It is difficult to ignore the elephant in the room. Fonstad was on the top line playing with Bryce Kindopp and Gage Goncalves, who scored 33 and 40 goals, respectively. That may be the defining marker for the Montreal Canadiens and not be enough to retain Fonstad’s rights.

There is a ton of skill there, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Habs let Fonstad go.

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