The Montreal Canadiens have yet to make any big splashes this offseason, but they have been quietly rounding out their roster, specifically in the AHL. The Canadiens' latest move was signing defenceman Reilly Walsh, who spent last season in the KHL with Barys Astana. The Massachusetts native signed a one-year, two-way contract and will likely play with the Laval Rocket next season. Walsh is coming off a spectacular year with Astana, recording 16 goals and 30 assists in 68 games. He joins the long list of AHL additions the Canadiens have made this offseason, which includes Brett Berard, Hunter McKown, Maksymilian Szuber, Samuel Poulin, and Ethan Samson.
What are the Canadiens getting in Walsh?
Walsh, despite previously playing in the KHL, was a New Jersey Devils 2017 third-round pick. He spent the three years following his draft playing for Harvard University in the NCAA. He put up consistent numbers as a member of the Harvard Crimson, scoring 27 goals and adding 51 assists in 96 games. Following the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, Walsh signed his entry-level contract with the Devils. He spent nearly his entire tenure with the Devils in the AHL, first playing for the Binghamton Devils before the team moved to Utica to become the Comets. Walsh made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season, playing against the Ottawa Senators, picking up his first career assist.
Despite getting an assist in his debut, Walsh never saw action in the NHL again, spending the next three seasons in the AHL. He was traded to the Boston Bruins organization prior to the 2023-24 season and played that year with the Providence Bruins. The following year, after the Bruins chose not to re-sign Walsh, he signed with the Los Angeles Kings organization, but played exclusively with the Ontario Reign. Last season, Walsh decided to play hockey abroad, signing with Astana in the KHL, and despite the team being one of the worst in the league, he excelled. His 46 points by a defenceman were tied for fourth in the league and will now be returning to North America with newfound confidence.
Where does Walsh fit in the Canadiens' plans?
Walsh likely starts off the season with the Rocket, but he presents the Canadiens with another right-hand shot option if they do suffer injuries to their blueline. Montreal experienced that late last season, when both Noah Dobson and Alexandre Carrier were sidelined with injuries. Dobson and Carrier were the only right-shot defencemen on the Canadiens main roster last season, and adding Walsh gives them much-needed depth at that position. There is also a chance that Walsh can build on his impressive season last year and show the Canadiens he belongs in the NHL during training camp.
The Canadiens blueline is not weak by any means, but there are spots up for grabs during training camp. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble alternated being the sixth defenceman last season, and at times both struggled. The Canadiens also have David Reinbacher, who will likely want to prove that he is ready to make the jump to the NHL, and considering Montreal drafted him with the 5th overall pick in 2023, that feeling might be mutual. Walsh likely was not signed with the expectation of making the Canadiens, but if he comes into training camp and impresses, none of those other players has built a long enough track record to be confident going into next season thinking that their job is secured.
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