Minor Details
June 7, 2024
By Bob Trask
The Montreal Canadiens brain trust has quietly been filling in spots to ensure their minor league affiliates in Laval and Trois Rivieres will be as competitive as possible. While some big-name, graduating draftees like Owen Beck and Filip Mesar will join the pro ranks, these unheralded signings add to the organizational depth. Connor Hughes, a young veteran with plenty of experience in Europe, looks to share goaltending duties in Laval with Jakub Dobes. The Rocket should benefit from a far more experienced tandem in net than they had to start last season. Jared Davidson signed an NHL contract that confirms he will remain in the Montreal organization for a couple of years – unless he is traded. While the Canadiens failed to offer 20-year-old Cedrick Guindon an NHL contract they did ink 21-year-old Israel Mianscum to an AHL deal. Guindon put up 57 points in the AHL while Mianscum tallied 87 points in the QMJHL. Deals like the one Mianscum signed help keep the prospect pipeline stocked without counting against the 50-man roster limit. It is an approach they took with Jared Davidson and Michel Tourigny in the past. Another prospect could also join the organization as Joshua Nadeau has been invited to the team’s development camp. He picked up 45 points in 37 NCAA with Maine last season after scoring 110 points in 54 games with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL in the 2022-23 season. The 5-8 winger is small by pro standards but has shown an ability to put points on the board. These moves are an indication that the Canadiens’ management team is looking after details at all levels of the organization and fans can expect more announcements to come over the next four months. It bodes well for the future. -Trask