When the Canadian claimed Rem Pitlick on waivers last year, we knew he was getting his hands on a player who had shown great things in the NHL. In 20 games with the Wild last year, he had six goals and 11 points, which is far from bad for a 24-year-old.
Even if he slowed down a bit in terms of goals following arriving in Montreal, Pitlick still found a way to stand out. Fast, intense and good defensively, the #32 did a very good job for a guy claimed on waivers, amassing nine goals and 26 points in 46 games in the blue-white-red uniform.
Thus, some were therefore surprised to see that he had not received a qualifying offer from the CH before the opening of the free agent market, but in the end, he signed a new two-year contract to stay in Montreal.
And according to the main interested party, a return with the Canadian was the plan from the start. This is what he said while he was on the airwaves of TSN 690.
ICYMI: @Imstilljon and @EricMacramalla were joined by @CanadiensMTL forward Rem Pitlick who talked regarding re-signing with the Habs, Martin St. Louis and more. Full interview: https://t.co/B3pkXyBkKC pic.twitter.com/01cf3YQRxT
— TSN 690 Radio (@TSN690) July 26, 2022
Pitlick said that although the Canadiens did not submit a qualifying offer to him, he never considered signing anywhere but Montreal when he was an unrestricted free agent. He loved his time with the Habs last year and he didn’t want to leave.
And that, the CH knew it. The line of communication between Pitlick and the team was never broken and both knew that one way or another the matter would eventually be resolved.
In the end, Kent Hughes found the money ($1.1 million a year) to sign him when he traded Jeff Petry. The difference between Petry’s salary and that of newcomer Mike Matheson roughly matches Pitlick’s salary.
Could Pitlick have gotten a little more by signing with another team? Maybe, yes, but at 25, the idea of having a bit of stability in a market where he has the confidence of his trainer (Martin St-Louis used him all over the place last year) and where he found success had to be worth its weight in gold too.
And as he says, the unwavering support of the fans despite the season of misery has greatly marked him too.
Clearly, therefore, Pitlick is good in Montreal, and according to the main interested party, leaving was never an option considered. Very happy to know that he will stay in town, then.
A lot of
– Recall that the Oilers are actively trying to trade him. Will a new contract make it easier for them?
Jesse Puljujarvi and EDM avoid arbitration at 1 year, $3M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 26, 2022
– Dustin Brown’s jersey will be retired by the Kings (and a statue of him will be built in front of the Kings arena).
Forever a King.
02.11.23
???? https://t.co/iFIdVlmK5s pic.twitter.com/M8okfwWEVk
— LA Kings (@LAKings) July 26, 2022
– Two teams are filling their assistant coach positions. When is CH’s turn?
Official: We’ve named three-time Stanley Cup Champion John Madden as our new assistant coach.
Welcome to the Pack, Coach Madden! ????https://t.co/b7Xykm84bu
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 26, 2022
Coach Stuart! ????
The #Oilers have added former @NHL defenceman Mark Stuart as an assistant coach. The 38-year-old played 673 career games with Boston, Atlanta & Winnipeg, serving as an assistant with @CCTigerHKY last season.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 26, 2022
– Jake Virtanen found not guilty.
Former Canucks player Jake Virtanen not guilty of sexual assault https://t.co/YEpCVquTjl
– The Sports Press (@LaPresse_Sports) July 26, 2022
– To be up to date on the various rumors in the MLB on the sidelines of the trade deadline, it’s here.
But the first to leave, in Washington, it might be Josh Bell. https://t.co/iqgF5vFwq1
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) July 26, 2022
