Montreal Canadiens: In other news… Gallagher’s Regression, Roy’s Hot Start

Joshua Roy Leading AHL, Rocket in Scoring to Start Season

On a more positive note, Joshua Roy’s steady progression from being an underperforming former No. 1 overall pick in the QMJHL, who had questions about both his drive and work ethic, to one of the more high-profile prospects in the Habs organization has been a sight to see, and something I don’t think anyone, even Roy himself, could have predicted.

Most of the attention for the Canadiens in the 2021 Draft came from their controversial selection of defenseman Logan Mailloux, who had pulled himself out of the draft after receiving a hefty fine and charges related to his sharing of explicit images from a relationship with a young woman whilst playing in Sweden. As a result of this, it was largely brushed under the rug initially when Montreal snagged Roy and center Xavier Simoneau in the fifth and sixth round respectively, both of whom have quickly become key parts of the Rocket’s lineup.

However, while Simoneau has been more of a two-way defensive threat, possessing less-than-ideal footspeed considering his tiny 5’07, 175-pound frame, Roy has instead come in and simply taken control of Laval’s offense, doing seemingly whatever he wants to do with the puck, leading the entire AHL in scoring just 5 games into the season with 5-6-11 totals.

In Laval’s first win of the season, an 8-4 decision against the Abbotsford Canucks, Roy posted a natural hat trick, showcasing his immensely promising and quite frankly dangerous offensive abilities, for a player most had written off after a less than ideal first few two seasons in junior. Being traded from the team that selected him first, the Saint John Sea Dogs to the Sherbrooke Phoenix after a mediocre rookie season, most pundits were unsure of what Roy needed to get his game and indeed, his development, back on track.

Well, that ended up being the Habs taking him in the fifth round, which seemingly convinced Roy this was an opportunity he couldn’t waste and reinvigorated him both on and off the ice. His next two seasons in the Q were nothing short of dominant, posting 51-68-119 totals over 51 games in 2021-22, and 46-53-99 totals over 55 games last season.

Along with an impressive performance at the 2023 World Juniors playing on a line with Conor Bedard, every element of Roy’s offensive game has thus far translated beautifully from junior to the professional level. With, as stated, injury troubles already beginning to affect the Habs, there’s a chance Roy sees a brief opportunity with the team sooner than later, though if I’m playing the role of Hughes, I’d give him as many opportunities as possible to explore his offensive capabilities in the AHL.

This isn’t Charles Hudon, this isn’t Jacob De La Rose, and this isn’t any of the other underwhelming former Habs AHL call-ups. Roy has the potential to be a lethal threat in the AHL, and in my mind, a player who can challenge for the scoring title in a few years time. Overall, it should be a fun season in Laval.