Roy’s debut pro season was impressive, what’s in store for 2024-25?

If you watched the Montreal Canadiens last year when Joshua Roy played, you saw just how far he has come.

After falling to the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Roy was viewed as somewhat of a project. It was less about a lack of skill and more about his compete level. He had many of the tools to become a solid player, but his game lacked substance away from the puck.

But as we have all come to know scouting is a tough job, especially when most prospects don't hit their stride until a few years after they're drafted. There aren't many Ovechkin's, McDavid's or Crosby's. Even Jack Hughes didn't explode right away, he didn't reach a point-per-game production rate until his third season.

Roy took a bit longer to find his game, but thankfully for the Canadiens, it was his draft plus one season when he started to put it all together. Roy erupted for 119 points in 66 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. He then followed that up with 23 points through 11 playoff games.

The points were welcomed and impressive, but his engaged style was what stood out most. He isn't the quickest skater, but when he is focused his IQ takes over. Roy's defensive efforts made him a nightmare to play against, he forced turnovers regularly in the neutral zone. But his intelligence and vision go beyond the defensive side of the game; as he showed off his transition skills, en route to plenty of odd-man rushes.

Roy's sights set on making Canadiens roster

The 2023-24 season, Roy's rookie professional season saw him find his footing with the Laval Rocket. It took a bit of time for him to adjust to the pace of play, which isn't uncommon for a player making a jump from junior to the AHL. But when he got comfortable, he started picking apart offensive rushes in the neutral zone and looking poised in the attacking zone.

Roy scored 32 points through 41 AHL games and in doing so, he put himself on Martin St. Louis's radar. When the Canadiens needed somebody to fill in because of injury woes, Roy stepped right in. He scored nine points in 23 games with the Habs, which isn't super impressive from a statistical standpoint, but the things that he thrived doing in the AHL, were a staple in the NHL also.

Training camp is going to be a large determining factor for how things shake out to start the 2024-25 season. But given the current forward situation, I think Roy has a real chance to play his way into a top-six role. His smart, mature defensive game is what stands out, and even more so against the opposition's top six talents.

I think that he has a strong chance of playing on Kirby Dach's line unless Kent Hughes makes a move to acquire a forward before the season starts. Even then, it would likely come down to him or Alex Newhook and while I like Newhook's speed, Roy is so smart. I don't think Roy will play in the AHL, it will be a question of second or third line.