Montreal Canadiens: Rem Pitlick, Sami Niku Could Become UFAs if They Don’t Play More

The Montreal Canadiens have made a couple of roster changes already this season.

They made one big trade that sent Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames for a first round pick and prospect Emil Heineman along with Tyler Pitlick and a late pick as well.

They also picked up a couple of younger players along the way. Forward Rem Pitlick was grabbed off waivers, as was defenceman Kale Clague and goaltender Sam Montembeault.

The Canadiens also signed defender Sami Niku just before the season began after his contract was surprisingly voided by the Winnipeg Jets. Niku had shown a lot of promise in his AHL stints with the Jets organization, but didn’t stick at the NHL level. It didn’t seem like he needed to have his contract torn up to get him out of town, but that is what happened.

Niku played 13 games with the Canadiens this season, scoring six points before being sent down to the Laval Rocket. He has a goal and seven points in 14 games with the Habs AHL affiliate, but at age 25 he has shown some promise that he could be a useful and reliable NHL defender one day soon.

So have Pitlick who has scored ten points in 20 games with the Canadiens after putting up 11 points in 20 games with the Minnesota Wild before being placed on waivers. He was a bit of an unknown when the Habs claimed him but the 24 year old has shown some serious potential, just like Niku.

The Canadiens are going to have to be careful if they want to keep both of these players in the organization long term. They are both slated to be restricted free agents this offseason which would allow the Canadiens to keep their rights while they negotiated a new contract.

However, a bit of a loophole in the CBA could see both Pitlick and Niku become unrestricted free agents instead, which would allow them to sign anywhere they wish. This would put them in “Group 6 UFA” status.

Group 6 UFAs are players that are at least 25 years old, have completed three or more pro seasons, and also have played less than 80 total NHL games. That 80 game threshold was moved down a bit because of the Covid shortened seasons.

So, to keep Pitlick’s rights beyond this season, the Habs would have to have him play 23 more games this season. The Canadiens only play 26 more games this season, so Pitlick is going to have stay healthy and suit up for pretty much every contest to avoid becoming a UFA.

Niku, on the other hand, has a bit more NHL experience. He needs to play just six more games at the NHL level to keep his RFA status which would keep him in the organization next season. Niku is currently playing in the minors, but with so many defensemen likely about to be traded, his recall is surely coming soon.

Pitlick has played well for the Canadiens, so hopefully they can get him into the lineup 23 more times to keep his rights. Otherwise, it would be tempting for him to hit the market as a UFA and see what kind of offers are available.

Other Habs players on this list are Louis Belpedio and Lukas Vejdemo. Neither are close to reaching the games played threshold so they will certainly become UFAs following this season.

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