The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate has been in need of season success, and the 2020/21 season could be the time for that and possibly more.
The AHL hasn’t been getting much buzz for its upcoming season. Most of that falls under the fact that there are still a lot of question marks around whether it is even getting a 2020/21 season. Last year was a frustrating one for the Montreal Canadiens affiliate Laval Rocket with key injuries and shaky goaltending, and before the cancellation of the season, they were in the thick of things.
Laval had a 30-24-8 record good for 68 points in 62 games. That had the Rocket 6th in the North Division and out of a playoff spot, but by only four points. With the way rookie goaltender Cayden Primeau was playing, who knows what a late-season push could’ve done for the club’s playoff hopes. Unfortunately, the Laval Rocket will have to do what they’ve done since their existence: wait for the next year.
The AHL released a memo ahead of the New Year saying the league has approved of a format that would have the season begin on February 5th. There’s been the idea of the minor league mimicking the format of its older counterpart in their being regional divisions (including a Canadian Division) where the teams included would only face each other.
There’s a sad reality in that AHL teams don’t drive as much revenue as NHL teams and that could be an issue with the season likely starting with limited or no fans. Pierre LeBrun brought up the whole idea of minor-league teams pulling out of the season.
How many AHL teams will play this season? How many teams will pull out for this year? Still to be determined. But the AHL plans to drop the puck Feb. 5. https://t.co/5FAIErpemm
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 30, 2020
We’ve already seen that in the ECHL, with 11 of its teams opting out include former Montreal Canadiens affiliate the Brampton Beast.
Similar to the Canadiens in the NHL, the Laval Rocket could use this realignment to their advantage in an all-Canadian Division. This was brought up via Frank Seravalli, who reported information from the NHLPA executive board call on December 8th.
The Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks have their AHL affiliates (Stockton Heat, Bakersfield Condors, and Utica Comets) stationed in the states and plan to keep them there for the 2020/21 season as travelling between borders is still strict. That would leave the Laval Rocket, Toronto Marlies, Manitoba Moose and Belleville Senators as the four teams to make up a Canadian Division. And there’s even current talk of the AHL teams using the NHL buildings (aside from the Moose who already share with the Winnipeg Jets).
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The Laval Rocket finished with the second-highest point total amongst those four teams. The Senators were number one with 81 while the Marlies and Moose had 63 and 55 respectively. If the AHL decides to have the top half of teams in each division qualify for the playoffs, the Rocket are in a decent spot to make it. All of that, of course, depends on who makes the Montreal Canadiens.
Goaltending is key in a shortened season, and Primeau showed he has what it takes to carry a club. The team would be losing some of their heavy point-getters, though. Jake Evans improved his game and was trusted to skate alongside the others in the playoffs and could easily be pencilled in as the Montreal Canadiens fourth-line centre. Charles Hudon was the leading goal-scorer with 27 goals and is currently playing overseas. The Habs did qualify him, but there’s no telling how the rest of that story will go. And there’s also Alexandre Alain, who chose to terminate his contract with the organization.
That said, the depth signings Marc Bergevin made in the last few weeks has made spots on the main roster and taxi squad scarce. There’s also possible new talent in the likes of Cameron Hillis, Joel Teasdale and Arsen Khisamutdinov. Jesse Ylonen is still a possibility as well but is looking for more clarity on the AHL season before he leaves his Finnish club.
You also have to consider the talent taken from other teams. Belleville was led last season by Josh Norris (31 goals and 30 assists), Drake Batherson (16 goals and 38 assists) and Alex Formenton (27 goals and 26 assists). The Ottawa Senators are a rebuilding team and will likely want them up with the main club, either on a starting roster or on the taxi squad. That could see the AHL Senators lose a lot of that firepower, and as great as their season was, they outscored a lot of their issues (234 goals for , 197 goals against ).
Whether the Laval Rocket can push ahead to a deep run is one thing, but there is a lot of positivity that could see them qualify at the very least. Joel Bouchard will have more skill to work with while overseeing a boatload of young players with things to prove.