Montreal Canadiens: Gustav Olofsson Leaving is Latest Hit To Laval Rocket Defence

The Montreal Canadiens had a successful season in 2020-21 as they made a run to the Stanley Cup Final before bowing out to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

While the Habs hit their stride in the postseason, they had their ups and downs in the regular season. The same could not be said of their top farm team in the American Hockey League.

The Laval Rocket had a tremendous regular season, but their postseason literally never happened.

The AHL had an odd season, as many sports leagues did in 2020 and 2021. They were able to throw together a “Canadian” Division that included the Laval Rocket, Belleville Senators, Toronto Marlies, Manitoba Moose and Stockton Heat, who played out of Calgary. While they ran a staggered schedule that resulted in teams playing different numbers of games, it was clear that the Rocket were the kings of the Canadian Divison.

Laval had a 23-9-3-1 record in 36 games, finishing tops in their division with 50 points, nine ahead of their closest competitor. One reason for their success was the team’s veteran group of defenders that shut things down defensively.

When news hit yesterday that Gustav Olofsson signed a two-way contract with the Seattle Kraken, it was another reminder that the Rocket defence is going to look a lot different next season.

A typical top four for the Rocket last season featured Xavier Ouellet, Cale Fleury, Otto Leskinen and Olofsson.

Ouellet will be back and wearing the captain’s C once again in the upcoming AHL season. However, Fleury was selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft and Leskinen chose to head back to Finland to play in Liiga. The Canadiens still hold his rights, but he won’t be patrolling the blue line in Laval in 2021-22.

Those are three huge blows to the Rocket. While it won’t be long before those players are replaced by Mattias Norlinder, Jayden Struble, Kaiden Guhle and/or Jordan Harris, none of those youngsters are going to be playing in the AHL this season. At least not to start the season.

The Rocket did sign Louis Belpedio for the upcoming season, and will have Gianni Fairbrother joining the team full time after getting a three game audition last season.

While those reinforcements add some depth to the blue line for sure, the Rocket are going to need a big step forward from Josh Brook and continued progression from Corey Schueneman who earned a two-way contract for 2021-22 after a successful audition last year.

It likely is not priority number one for Marc Bergevin, but adding more veteran help on the blue line in Laval to replace the departed Leskinen, Fleury and Olofsson would be wise.