Three potential players for a professional tryout with Habs

PUBLICATION

Carl Vaillancourt
August 10, 2024 (1:38 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Already mid-August, and several players with some experience in the NHL are still without a professional contract for the upcoming season, including potential targets for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.

A list of players who have not yet announced their retirement from professional hockey and who seem to still be hoping for a call from an NHL team was released in the last few hours, and some of these players could help Kent Hughes on a short-term basis.

While the possibility of Kent Hughes pulling off a minor miracle with a major trade seems increasingly unlikely, signing a player is also becoming less probable. Instead of offering a long and expensive contract to a player on the verge of retirement, could a professional tryout be an option?

Ten players who might interest the Canadiens for a professional tryout, including three particularly intriguing ones

Here is a list of ten players who still don't have a contract for the upcoming season and who would be perfect candidates for a PTO (Professional Tryout):

James Van Riemsdyk
Tyler Johnson
Kevin Shattenkirk
Mike Hoffman
Max Pacioretty
Blake Wheeler
Kailer Yamamoto
Kevin Labanc
Nick Cousins
Mark Giordano

An option for the Canadiens?

Due to the injury of Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, who will be sidelined for an extended period, the team needs to find a replacement. It's possible that the organization could replace him with a player already under contract with the team, with the first name that comes to mind being Alex Barré-Boulet. However, the option of a veteran should not be overlooked during this rebuild.

To this end, three names on the list above catch my attention: Max Pacioretty, Tyler Johnson, and Blake Wheeler.

Max Pacioretty

Former Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty could be an interesting option. The 35-year-old veteran has not been spared by injuries in recent seasons, and it's uncertain what he could accomplish in a full 82-game campaign. However, he did return to play at the end of last season with the Washington Capitals, showing that he can still play hockey. He recorded 23 points, including four goals, in 47 regular-season games and added one assist in the playoffs.

HF - Et si le Canadien signait Max Pacioretty?

The experience Pacioretty gained as the Canadiens' captain is significant. In a supporting role, he could return to finish what he started here by mentoring young players and being a reassuring presence in the locker room. For a low-cost, one-season contract, why not?

Tyler Johnson

A 12-season NHL veteran and two-time Stanley Cup winner, the small, quick forward knows how things work in the NHL. He has already been linked to the Canadiens by none other than Sportsnet journalist and insider Eric Engels.

Habs et LNH - Acquisition de Tyler Johnson par le Canadien de MTL? Une grosse surprise

At 33, Tyler Johnson played with the Tampa Bay Lightning for 10 years, from 2012 to 2021, and then with the Chicago Blackhawks. He tallied 31 points in 67 games in 2023-2024 and 32 points in 56 games in 2022-2023. He could certainly fill a top-9 role for the Canadiens next season with a reasonable salary.

Blake Wheeler

The American, who will soon turn 38, is perhaps the most uncertain of the three in terms of future prospects. Hampered by age and injuries, he returned to play in the playoffs with the New York Rangers but only managed two games. In a recent interview, he admitted that he still loves hockey but wants to spend more time with his three children and his wife. He stated that his significant injury in 2023-2024 doesn't impact this decision.

LNH.com - Un avenir incertain dans la LNH pour Wheeler

With a vast career and experience from 1,172 regular-season NHL games and 66 playoff games, Wheeler could be the ideal veteran for the Canadiens. If physically healthy, Wheeler could also contribute offensively, having tallied 21 points, including nine goals, in 54 games with the Rangers before his injury. He would undoubtedly fill a top-9 role.

Youth or experience?

Before offering a professional tryout to a still-unsigned player, Kent Hughes will want to evaluate the internal options among the organization's young prospects. Except for Alex Barré-Boulet and maybe Emil Heineman, the organization's prospects may not be ready to play in the NHL this season. Kent Hughes' vision seems more focused on long-term development rather than filling an immediate need. It's important not to rush the development of these young players.