Three Canadiens Prospects Who Have An NHL Future After AHL Playoffs

Rafael Harvey-Pinard

Rafael Harvey-Pinard was drafted in the 7th round and is looking like he could be quite a steal with that low draft slot. At the very least, he has shown he would be quite comfortable playing at the NHL level in the near future.

Harvey-Pinard did get a small taste of NHL action this season during the Habs injury riddled campaign. He played four games and scored his first career NHL goal, but it was just a brief glimpse of what is sure to come.

The 23 year old just wrapped up his second season with the Rocket, scoring 21 goals and 56 points in 69 regular season games. He also added five goals and ten points in 15 playoff contests, saving most of his scoring for the team’s toughest series against the Thunderbirds.

But, it isn’t the offence that is going to make Harvey-Pinard a long-time NHL player. It is his work ethic, hard-nosed play, and Brendan Gallagher-esque attitude on every single shift, combined with his offence ability, that is going to make him a Canadiens winger for a long time.

He showed on a nightly basis in the Rocket’s three playoff rounds that he would simply outlast the opposition. His motor just runs longer that everyone else as he battles hard for every loose puck and never quits on anything. He struggled a bit offensively in the early series, but helped the Rocket in the conference final by scoring in four consecutive games.

He came up big when his team needed a goal, scoring an overtime winner that pulled the series even after four games.