Despite the fact that the Canadian’s last season was practically catastrophic, we were able to draw some positive points from it. Suzuki’s first career 60-point season, Caufield’s second-half performance, Montembeault’s progress in goal…
The arrival of Rem Pitlick and his performances in Montreal are also part of it.
On January 12, the striker was claimed off waivers by the CH following collecting 11 points in 20 games with the Wild. Minnesota had no long-term plan with the principal and ultimately decided to get rid of him to make room on the payroll.
He wasn’t expected to arrive in the metropolis as a savior, but fans were greatly surprised to see him produce on a regular basis. He will have finally obtained 26 points in 46 outings with the Habs, which is excellent for a guy selected on waivers during the season.
The main interested party’s contract expired at the end of the last season and we had to wait until July 16, three days following the opening of the free agent market, before seeing him sign a new agreement with the Canadian.
A new agreement which turns out to be excellent, by the way. Pitlick will earn $1.1 million annually for the next two seasons.
We saw what Pitlick is capable of on the ice. Fairly fast attacker who is not afraid to stick his nose in traffic to create space for his teammates and has a good hockey IQ. That’s how I would call him, Rem Pitlick.
But the questions to ask are: will he be able to keep up the pace in 2022-2023? What can we expect from the player next year?
Montreal Canadiens 2021-22 Forward Ratings: Rem Pitlick https://t.co/pFanLYgfFI
— Eyes on the Prize (@HabsEOTP) September 5, 2022
Adding Pitlick to the lineup automatically creates depth, not least because he can play in the middle.
The guy can certainly play on a third line and I think he would be able to help out on the top-6 if ever we need him, especially because of his offensive qualities.
The idea of seeing him evolve on a fourth line can also go a long way, if we want to give this line more offensive punch. But personally, I believe he deserves more responsibility.
He can be used on the advantage and shorthanded and may be Martin St-Louis’ Swiss army knife this year. That’s how I see it, at least.
I don’t necessarily expect him to end the year with 50 points, but I think he’s more than capable of breaking the 40 mark if he’s able to stay healthy the whole season and take advantage of the opportunities given to him.
After all, he got 37 last year in 66 games with two different teams and three different attacking systems considering he had three coaches.
This is a player I will be watching closely in the coming months.
A lot of
– La Vie en Rose, Mikhail Sergachev edition.
Just ruffin’ it, eh Mikhail Sergachev? ????????
(????: @sergachev31) pic.twitter.com/OkpWQfAMU0
— NHL (@NHL) September 5, 2022
– Good visibility for sport.
Proud of our gang of @BPMSportsRadio for soccer coverage today.
Let’s throw tomatoes when it’s deserved, but let’s throw flowers when it’s deserved too.
2 open lines 100% soccer and 7/18 excerpts on the web dedicated to CF Montreal. ⚽️
— Kevin Vallee (@KevinMVallee) September 5, 2022
– What an excellent text.
Hockey Canada’s Finger and Arm of Honor https://t.co/D4LbDlirWg
— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) September 5, 2022
– A great chance for the former Bears.
Trubisky should be Steelers starter according to Roethlisbergerhttps://t.co/LSadrr2q8V
— RDS (@RDSca) September 5, 2022
– He will have to find a way to stay healthy.
Carson Wentz makes his presence felt in Washingtonhttps://t.co/8ChkbSoAFa
— RDS (@RDSca) September 5, 2022