Montreal Canadiens: Ryan Poehling’s future depends on Phillip Danault

Ryan Poehling doesn’t have a robust role with the Montreal Canadiens yet, but his future with the team will depend on what happens with Phillip Danault.

The Montreal Canadiens drafted Ryan Poehling at a time where their centre was non-existent. Phillip Danault was getting his feet wet in the organization while Tomas Plekanec was still a go-to option. In the cupboards, the Habs were hoping to get players out of Michael McCarron and Jacob de La Rose, who looked like to be respective projects.

Montreal was taken out of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, making them eligible for the 25th overall pick of the draft. That year saw them take Poehling after his first year at St. Cloud State.

Poehling was giving off Danault vibes as he was known for more his play away from the puck, putting up 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points in 35 games. However, his performances with his American teams (6 points in 9 games for the U.S. National U18 team and 5 points in 7 games at the U18 World Junior Championships) gave Habs minds hope for an offensive outbreak down the line.

Poehling’s draft year was also the start of Montreal’s drafting resurgence. From that same event, they added Josh Brook and Joni Ikonen in the second-round, Cale Fleury in the third and Cayden Primeau in the seventh. The next prospect event saw the Montreal Canadiens focus on speed and skill, focusing on adding more centres in 2018 with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Jacob Olofsson, and Cam Hillis.