Can the Canadiens Sign Josh Nadeau When He Turns Pro?

The Montreal Canadiens loved what they saw from Josh Nadeau at the development camp. He was one of the smallest players at camp, but he made up for it with his elite offensive skill, which he has been doing all his life. Nadeau's crowning moment was in the scrimmage when he scored a hat trick with some beautiful shots. Nadeau may never be the biggest player on the ice, but at the very least he showed he can be one of the best in an NHL development camp. The Canadiens didn't have a star-studded group in camp, and Nadeau was older than most players, but his potential is promising.

The issue for the Canadiens is that Nadeau's brother Bradly plays with the Carolina Hurricanes. The brothers played together in Edmundston in the Maritime Junior Hockey League and then attended the University of Maine. The Hurricanes recently signed Josiah Slavin to a two-year, two-way contract, the brother of their defenseman Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes aren't afraid to sign players with family connections in the organization, so Nadeau will likely sign there with his brother. He also attended the Hurricanes development camp in 2023, connecting him with the organization.

Josh Nadeau attending the Canadiens' development camp may show he is open to joining a different organization. The Hurricanes have a deep crop of scoring forwards in the NHL and their prospect pool. Rod Brind'amour also values bigger, more physical players, as opposed to the makeup of Josh. Nadeau may see a clearer path to make an NHL roster with the Canadiens as they have a bigger need for offensive talent and a history of rostering undersized players. He could also learn plenty from a coach like Martin St. Louis, who took a similar path to the NHL.

It won't be easy for the Canadiens to land Nadeau after college, but they have the right fit. The Canadiens could have a diamond in the rough with Nadeau, and there are only so many more times that people can doubt him. He has been undervalued his entire career but shows up and records points wherever he goes.