Montreal Canadiens: How Close Is Joshua Roy To An NHL Role?

The Montreal Canadiens, like every other NHL team, very seldom have a fifth-round pick that makes it to the NHL. While Joshua Roy isn’t there yet, his recent performance at the Habs Prospect’s Camp was promising.

Roy would be the third player in the lineup to be selected beyond the fourth round, should he play for the Habs in 2023. Brendan Gallagher was picked in the fifth round, 147th overall, at the 2010 Entry draft, in Los Angeles. While recently extended Rafael Harvey-Pinard went in the seventh round of the 2019 Draft, at 201st overall.

Selected 150th overall in the 2021 Draft, Roy has put up tremendous numbers in the QMJHL. In 2021-22, Roy posted 119 points in 66 games, with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Last season he just missed out on the 100-point plateau, posting 99 points through 55 games.

While he is very quiet, he lets his play do the talking. Not necessarily a fast skater, Roy’s IQ and knack for intercepting passes allow him to kill penalties and be effective away from the puck. In the offensive zone, his wicked shot and soft hands are the center of his game, he throws off defenders with quick fakes before slinging a pass across to a teammate. His shot and ability to process plays make him a well-rounded threat to the opposition.

Roy’s NHL Arrival With The Canadiens

Much like Mark Stone and Sam Reinhart, Roy’s skating has been a knock against him. While he has improved upon it, he will likely never be a burner, but rather a player that slows down the game, and processes plays quickly. His two-play and ability to produce offence are sorely missed since Lehkonen was dealt to the Avalanche.

Having said that, I believe that Roy has a very real chance of cracking the Canadiens roster out of camp come October. There is certainly a log jam at forward for the Canadiens, so the internal battles will be intriguing, but Roy is just so smart and talented, I think he does it. At the very least, he ends up as an extra forward and slots in and out of the lineup until somebody gets moved at the deadline.

Should he not crack the roster, I wouldn’t call it a disappointment; as he is likely expected by most to play a season in the AHL, with the Laval Rocket before making the jump. It certainly wouldn’t hurt anything, and he has the time to develop before the Canadiens are ready to contend. If Roy plays his 2023-24 campaign in Laval, he is going to quickly show he has the skill and smarts to play at the NHL level.

It’s all strictly opinion, but it’s hard to argue Roy not being a diamond in the rough, with respect to where he was drafted.

Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!

Write for us!