Montreal Canadiens sign Michael Frolik ahead of the 2021 season
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens have joined the rest of the league in these last-minute signings, with Michael Frolik joining the team on a one-year deal.
There was talk around that Marc Bergevin wasn’t done adding to the Montreal Canadiens roster. Jake Allen, Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli and Joel Edmundson were the big acquisitions of the summer, but it’s roster depth that helps you in the playoffs, and it looks as if Bergevin is confident this team can go far. And hence we have the Habs signing Michael Frolik to a one-year deal worth $700,000.
Frolik is a left-winger who started his NHL career with the Florida Panthers after being taken 10th overall by them in the 2006 NHL Draft before moving on to Chicago. He also spent the majority of his NHL career in Western Canada, mostly playing for the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets. His latest season was a 19-game stint with the Buffalo Sabres putting up a goal and three assists in 4 games after the trade deadline.
The 27-year-old has generally been a middle-six forward throughout his career. His two-way play is reliable to an extent as he is a streaky scorer. Frolik can go on a run of goals then disappear from the scoreboard for long stretches. However, he is a responsible player, and his speed isn’t talked about enough.
On the surface, Frolik looks to be a player who can fill in on the fourth line, but he also looks like a player destined to be on the taxi squad. Training camp will answer those questions.
Claude Julien could see a lot of value in a player who can slot in up and down the lineup. Again, his inconsistencies in scoring are one thing, though; being in a position where he won’t be relied on to score should be a positive.