Where does Joel Teasdale fit on the Montreal Canadiens?

Another thing to consider is the ‘magic beans’ effect that Teasdale still has. He’s done it all at the major junior level, and there is still a mystery as to what he can do at the next one. That curiously could generate interest from other teams who have the room.

Marc Bergevin needs the Montreal Canadiens to make the playoffs next season. There won’t be a Stanley Cup Qualifier, and the year isn’t going to be shortened. Every team is playing 82 games, and the Habs have struggled to contend with those circumstances since 2017. If he makes a trade over the summer to improve the roster, perhaps the expectations for Teasdale wind up with him being packaged in a trade.

Teasdale finds himself in a situation where he needs to go above and beyond to stand out. He has to fight for and steal a spot at training camp. Claude Julien isn’t afraid to reward those who are hardworking and put on a display before the season.

Think back to Michael Chaput and Kenny Agostino. They made it to the final cuts at training camp in 2018, and although they didn’t make the team, they were the two of the first to be called up and remained on the roster for quite some time.

Those kinds of things count, and Teasdale has the drive to do it. Then again, this could be an infatuation with the mystery and optimism in the potential. But the 21-year-old has done enough to gain the benefit of the doubt from his supporters.