Throughout the Montreal Canadiens prospect pool many of their selections have been discussed at length, but not Rhett Pitlick, who is on a tear with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Pitlick is currently on an absolute heater, with 13 points in his last seven games. During that span he is also riding a seven consecutive game goal scoring streak. He has also maintained an above point per game pace with 18 points in 17 games.
#GoHabsGo prospect Rhett Pitlick extended his goal streak to 7 straight games with a goal last night vs. Ohio State State
— Costa Rontzocos (@Rontzeeez) December 9, 2023
He improved his totals to 18 points in 17 games, 13 coming in his last 7 https://t.co/bJpLrnM4Qn
Lane Hutson, Filip Mesar and Owen Beck have taken all of the media’s attention. With highlight after highlight, each of the three prospects have ascended to the top of the Canadiens prospect pipeline. But Pitlick has proven that it would be unwise to continue turning a blind eye to the 2019 fifth round selection.
Brother to former Hab Rem Pitlick, and cousin to Tyler Pitlick, Rhett has been chalking up his own path to an eventual NHL career. The 5’9” 160 lbs left winger from Coral Spring, FL, is on a torrid pace in his third NCAA season. His 18 points already match his rookie season totals, and he has achieved the feat is 13 fewer games.
To put it all into perspective, Pitlick finished his sophomore season with 25 points through 40 games. Essentially what that means is, mathematically he needs seven points through the next 22 games to match his sophomore totals. Which, if his strong plays continues, it’s a fair bet, that he eclipses the 25 point mark well ahead of his 40th game of the season.
The forgotten man in Montreal's prospect pool is Rhett Pitlick - perhaps because he was a fifth-round pick in 2019. He's found another level this season...picking up 12 points in his last six games. Here was his SH goal last night..dynamic skater! Article coming this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/rF85o2RlwX
— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) December 3, 2023
The 22-year-old is another on the list of undersized skilled forwards in the Habs system. And the strength of the Canadiens drafting, will serve the team well in the coming years. So the growth and consistentcy in Pitlick’s game should come to serve the Habs well, either in Laval or Montreal.
However, it may not be physically on the team, but rather in the trade package that Kent Hughes receives in return for Pitlick. Teams always covet smaller forwards who complement their top nine forward core.
Montreal needs some highly-coveted assets to facilitate a trade. Pitlick could end up being a piece of the pie that lands the Habs a player who can slot into the top-six. That glass of milk that makes the chocolate cake so much better, washing it all down, creating bliss.
The prospects are bubbling to the brim, finding their way before turning pro. Montreal is working through its rebuild. And another goal scorer to help out Cole Caufield coming via trade will not harm the Habs' ascension to playoff contenders, then eventual threats for a Stanley Cup berth.