The Montreal Canadiens are dealing with a lengthy Covid list that includes nine players as well as various other injuries throughout the organization.
A number of players have been called up to the Habs over the past few weeks and the implementation of a taxi squad once again at the NHL level has further reduced the number of bodies on the Laval Rocket roster.
As a result, the organization has added a familiar face to a professional tryout.
Devante Smith-Pelly has played with the Montreal Canadiens in the past and he has signed a PTO with the Laval Rocket. The Rocket have seen a plethora of their regulars recalled to the Canadiens and five more added to the team’s taxi squad, so they are dipping into the ECHL to call up players to fill the gap but will also use Smith-Pelly to plug a hole in the lineup as well.
Smith-Pelly was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in 2015 for Jiri Sekac. He played a total of 66 games with the Canadiens over parts of two seasons before being traded to the New Jersey Devils for Stephane Matteau. Smith-Pelly scored 15 points during his time with the Canadiens.
Two seasons after being traded he played a depth role on the Washington Capitals Stanley Cup win. Smith-Pelly scored seven goals in 24 games that Spring and was a valuable bottom six winger on that team.
He played just 14 games last season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign and had one point. The 29 year old right winger plays a heavy, scrappy game and stands at 6’0″ and 223 pounds.
He should add some muscle and depth to the Rocket in the short term and will try to earn a contract for the remainder of the season. The Rocket’s next game is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 5th against the Springfield Thunderbirds.