Canadiens: In Other News… Price out Long-Term, Tokarski Named Backup
By Scott Cowan
Michael Pezzetta Impresses in Pre-Season
How about that Michael Pezzetta, eh? The former Canadiens sixth round pick and long-time member of the Laval Rocket’s bottom-six was given a noticeable chance to prove himself with the Canadiens in this year’s pre-season and didn’t disappoint. From their nightmarish first season in 2017-18, the Rocket have been no stranger to checking bottom-six forwards, the majority of which don’t amount to much beyond the occasional injury fill-in. Hayden Verbeek, a former undrafted pick-up of the Canadiens in 2018 and son of Hall-of-Famer Pat Verbeek, has been the most noticeable, being a surprise call-up candidate for the Detroit Red Wings last season after being traded for Jon Merrill.
Personally, I thought Pezzetta would be lumped into a similar category, but the 23-year-old took his opportunity with Montreal and ran with it, to the tune of an impressive two-goal performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and an inspired tilt with Leafs forward Kurtis Gabriel. While his offensive abilities leave something to be desired, the Toronto native has a wicked release and an utterly tireless work ethic. Not to mention, his sweet, sweet flow. While he’s been sent down to the Rocket to start this season, Pezzetta has become a surprise call-up candidate for the Canadiens, and a player to look out for in 2021-22.
