Montreal Canadiens: Three Prospects Entering Season With One Last Chance

Luke Tuch

Luke Tuch was the Canadiens second round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. He had played the previous season with the United States Development Program where he had 15 goals and 30 points in 47 games.

Tuch was never going to become an offensive wizard and no one expects him to become one now, but he did show some offensive potential at the development program but it hasn’t flourished while playing college hockey.

The 6’2″ and 203 pound left winger was drafted because of his size and ability to win puck battles, create chaos in front of the opposing team’s net and simply dig out pucks from the corners. He is the big, skilled, hardworking winger who does the dirty work and allows a little more freedom for the smaller creative forwards to work their own magic with the puck.

But can he do it at the pro level? Tuch was in his third NCAA season last year and scored 20 points in 40 games. That’s not terrible production, but it does not instill confidence that he can be much of an offensive player at the pro level at all. He had 11 points in 16 college games as a rookie but then just ten points in 26 games the following year.

At this point, the 21 year old does not appear to be a blossoming NHL player. His lack of production and awkward skating stride are definitely working against him. He has one season left at Boston University, and will need to show a bit more footspeed or a little more offensive punch if he is going to get an entry-level contract at the end of the season.