Canadiens: Alex Barre-Boulet a Useful Addition for the Laval Rocket

Alain posted an 87-point campaign alongside Boulet in 2017-18 and has since become a key part of the Rocket’s roster following the departure of AHL stars Riley Barber and Phil Varone. Joel Teasdale posted 34 points in 20 games with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies after being traded by Blainville, leading them to a Memorial Cup Championship.

Torn ligaments in his MCL and ACL put an end to his campaign this season in August of 2019, but now healed, he should look to join Alain on the Rocket and hopefully find some chemistry. Former bench boss Joel Bouchard was named coach of the Rocket last year, and his team first approach led Laval to a 30-24 record this year and a legitimate shot at a playoff spot.

Personally, I couldn’t see a better environment for Barre-Boulet to develop in, alongside his old linemates and coach in a league with a much higher skill level. While the Rocket’s performance was impressive this year, they were lacking in any real game-breaking stars, and Barre-Boulet has the potential to bring those qualities and give Rocket fans a homegrown star to cheer for.

His performance in the AHL has been self-explanatory for a 23-year-old undrafted free agent, and it marked a welcome trend in the league of undrafted players turned AHL stars, like Iowa Wild forwards Sam Anas and Gerald Mayhew.

While it’s unclear where exactly Barre-Boulet’s values lie in the Lightning organization, throwing a mid-range prospect like Jacob Olofsson or Lukas Vejdemo in a swap of prospect packages could work, and give the Rocket a legitimate star and point of interest for the first time since the days of Chris Terry and to an extent, John Scott.

While its clear the Lightning have an interest in Barre-Boulet, a trade for a player of similar skill level is plausible in my opinion, and something I think the Habs should pursue, as it’s a lower end trade and a perfect fit for this undrafted free agent turned AHL star.

With the Montreal Canadiens season now over, the off-season becomes their main focus, and I believe that this undrafted, homegrown center could be a solid acquisition.