Joshua Roy
For my money, Joshua Roy was the best forward to not make the Canadiens’ opening night roster, I would put him ahead of Jesse Ylonen, and in the conversation with Emil Heineman, who I also feel brings more to the team than Ylonen.
Not only is he one of the top snipers in the pipeline, but he is also a brilliant two-way player, that can very likely play in the top-six, but comfortably in the top-nine. He can kill penalties, and his deceptiveness makes him a very good bet for a spot on one of the Canadiens’ top two power-play units.
Considering that he was a fifth-round pick, it is immensely impressive how far he has come since being drafted in 2019. Roy had a brilliant season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, where he scored 99 points (46 goals & 53 assists) through 55 games.
Alongside Chicago Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard, Roy was a revelation for Canada’s World Junior Championship, delivering on the penalty kill and on the statistics sheet with clutch goals and assists.
If Roy didn’t do enough to secure one of the first call-ups when the Canadiens deal with injuries, then he isn’t far down the list. His shooting ability and hockey mind will serve him well, and make him an endearing piece for the Canadiens as soon as he takes the ice.
He is so intelligent and can impact a game in so many ways, serving as a Swiss Army knife, who will fit on any line in any situation. Think versatility, when you hear his name, because he will fit anywhere.