On the eve of the 2021-22 season, the Canadiens claimed speedy forward Adam Brooks on waivers from a rival Canadian team, much like Paul Byron was six years ago.
Adam Brooks, a 25-year-old forward drafted and developed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, is the newest addition to the Montreal Canadiens. He can most easily be described as a speedy bottom-six forward (who can play at centre) with high effort levels, defensive prowess, and enough skill to play in the top-9. Every time I’ve watched him play, in the AHL and NHL alike, I have been impressed. His offensive positioning allows him to score gritty and “lucky” goals and he’s a confident puck-carrier; exactly the kind of player the Habs needed to add for the fourth-line centre role.
While the comparison likely isn’t fair to Brooks, his identity as a player aligns fairly closely to that of Paul Byron when the Habs claimed him off of the Calgary Flames on October 6 in 2015, almost exactly 6 years ago. Since then, Paul Byron has had two 20-goal seasons, four 10-goal seasons, three (and soon to be four) seasons as an assistant captain and has been dubbed by many Habs fans as the team’s best-ever waiver pickup.
While Paul Byron’s place on the team will be more uncertain than ever before and his contract is likely the Canadiens’ worst, the value he has given this team is unquestionable. He will likely be fighting for a roster spot with Adam Brooks, among others, once he returns from injury in December or January. But who is this player the Habs added that I’m perhaps strangely enthusiastic about?