Montreal Canadiens: Who’s Roster Spot Does Tanner Pearson Take?
On The Bubble
Working under those assumptions, the guys that get pushed closest to the edge of the bubble following the Pearson acquisition are the ones that were already there to begin with, namely Jesse Ylonen, Michael Pezzetta, Jake Evans and Joel Armia.
With newcomers like Emil Heineman and Lias Andersson already gunning for them before Pearson came on board, now there is one less spot available and the heat on those players to perform in these next few weeks will be turned up that much higher.
As Hughes values asset management above all, I believe Ylonen is a safe bet to be at worst the 14th forward. He did enough last year to prove that he can fill a role in the bottom six right now and still has potential for additional growth. Ylonen also need to clear waivers to be sent down and I don’t think the Canadiens would risk losing him for nothing.
I also feel like Pezzetta will find a way on to this team. He is better suited to play an energy role than any of his peers and he brings some sandpaper to a lineup that still sorely lacks it. Like Ylonen, he’s a perfect candidate to be a spare forward because he would also likely not make it through waivers. He’s a glue guy who sticks up for teammates and is loved in the dressing room. I doubt that will go unnoticed around the league if he is made available.
I sense that while the pressure is on for Evans to step up his game, his versatility gives him an edge to be there opening night too. His first month will be uber important however as the return of Dvorak in November could render Evans more expendable if he hasn’t shown his worth up to that point.
Armia can still be a solid veteran presence on the fourth line and contribute on the PK but his job seems less secure than ever and his contract makes him unlikely to be claimed if he was put on waivers. If the Canadiens can manage his cap hit, they can bury him in the minors to make room for a more deserving player.
How It Could Play Out
Here’s how I see things shaking out from the domino effect of Pearson’s arrival. I believe Andersson will be in direct competition with Evans for the 4C role. If the Swede cannot outplay the incumbent Evans in camp and preseason, he will be sent down. If Andersson does win the job, Evans could still make the roster as a winger, pushing a guy like Armia off the list.
I also believe Heineman has a very good chance to force his way on to the club. If he does it would also likely come at the expense of Armia. However, Heineman has to really show out and seize his opportunity. If he looks to be only a marginal upgrade, he will likely go back to Laval for now as he still has waiver options.
A third scenario, one in which both new Swedes win their respective camp battles by a wide margin, would bring more chaos and force the Canadiens brass into some tougher decisions. Under those circumstances, I personally think Hughes and Gorton would prioritize Evans and Ylonen over Pezzetta.
This year more than ever feels like one where there could be some plot twists. The Canadiens have more talent at camp than they have had in a long time and talent breeds competition. The Habs could very well lose a decent player or two, simply because they have too many decent players. Decisions on defense and goaltending can also affect the forward group and vice versa.
If you were hoping that current whipping boy Armia was finally going to get shown the door, I think for once it is a very real possibility. At this point, I would say it’s probably the most likely outcome. It won’t end there though because with so much talent on the way up, the competition for those who remain is only going to get tougher.
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