The 25-year-old Harvey-Pinard has experienced a tumultuous few years with Montreal. Following an injury-ravaged 2022-23 season, he received a call-up, where he played significant minutes with the team. While primarily teaming up with Nick Suzuki on the first power play unit, he managed to score 14 goals in just 34 games. At that pace, he would have tallied 33 goals over a full season.
Harvey-Pinard’s Rollercoaster Seasons
This past season, expectations were high for Harvey-Pinard to deliver strong numbers and potentially have a breakout year. Unfortunately, injuries plagued him again, limiting him to only 45 games, and when he was on the ice, he struggled, recording just two goals and ten points. As of now, he has yet to play this season and will begin competing in Laval, where he is expected to participate in the team’s upcoming games.
How Long Will Harvey-Pinard Remain in Laval?
Due to his injuries and inconsistent production, it’s uncertain how long he will stay in the minors. The Canadiens have described his demotion as merely a conditioning stint. The Rocket have started the season strongly, and Harvey-Pinard’s addition could enhance their performance further.
However, once he regains full game speed, he might remain in Laval longer than anticipated. Aside from his standout season with 14 goals, he has struggled with consistency in the NHL. With players like Emil Heineman stepping into his previous role and Patrik Laine soon returning, the competition for roster spots will be fierce. Harvey-Pinard may only return to the Canadiens in the event of injuries, and he might not even be the first player called up, given that Lucas Condotta has already received a promotion, and others like Joshua Roy and Alex Barre-Boulet have also made compelling cases for themselves.
Where He Ultimately Fits in the Canadiens’ Future
The Canadiens boast one of the top young cores in the league, featuring prospects like Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, Owen Beck, and Joshua Roy, all vying for spots on the NHL roster. Moreover, Oliver Kapanen has recently returned to the SHL after a brief stint with Montreal. As younger, more skilled forwards join the team, Harvey-Pinard’s position becomes increasingly uncertain.
While players such as Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, and Jake Evans may leave via free agency this summer, and veterans like Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher are under contract for only a few more years — assuming they aren’t traded — potential roster spots will open up. It will be up to Harvey-Pinard to demonstrate his value to the Canadiens’ management if he hopes to secure a spot on the team in the future.
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