Canadiens Prospect Highlights: Roy, Farrell, Mailloux, Beck

The Montreal Canadiens have high hopes for many of their top prospects who have reached the professional ranks this season.

It’s a key stage in their rebuild for many reasons. Not only do they want to see some early returns from all the hard work they put into drafting and developing their prospects, but also because almost every successful NHL team has a healthy number of players who are homegrown talent.

Chemistry In Laval

And when it comes to early returns, no other prospect portfolio projects to be more profitable than Joshua Roy’s, a perfectly principled player who provides plenty of pleasurable plays.

The Sniper Beauceron has 11 points in his first five games in the AHL, which is impressive on its own, but when we take a closer look at his work for the Laval Rocket, the manner in which Roy has produced those points is also very encouraging.

Roy tends to go toward the most profitable area in the offensive zone: the middle of the ice. He enjoys cutting to the middle almost as much and as often as Montreal drivers enjoy cutting off their fellow Montrealers.

#Habs prospect Joshua Roy scores his first AHL goal off a nice little move to deke his coverage. pic.twitter.com/ywXCt1Xbxu

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 13, 2023

Roy has formed instant chemistry with Sean Farrell, who hasn’t produced as much as his counterpart this season but has still enjoyed a very high level of play in the early parts of the AHL season.

We often discuss the importance of having strong lines in the NHL, but more than anything, coaches use duos. Farrell and Roy have formed a very impressive duo.

I know some Montreal Canadiens fans want to see Roy in the NHL as soon as possible, but given their history of rushing prospects to the NHL, the team is approaching the situation perfectly.

There’s no need to risk his development by rocking the boat. Roy will eventually play for the Canadiens. It’s just a matter of time.

Joshua Roy feeds Sean Farrell for his first career AHL goal! pic.twitter.com/FegLrFZFm4

— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) October 21, 2023

Devil’s Haircut

The Peterborough Petes forward did not have the best start to the year.

He had just one goal heading in the first five games, which is always concerning for a player like Own Beck who possesses so much talent.

He flipped the script on Saturday, scoring all three of the Petes’ goals against the Oshawa Generals. It wasn’t enough to secure the win, but it will surely act as a confidence booster for the cerebral forward.

Hat trick king 👑#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/IZGDLQnDKB

— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 22, 2023

The expectations are high when it comes to Beck, but I wouldn’t lose much sleep whenever he goes through a slight scoring slump.

Owen Beck doing Owen Beck things#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/9pK9PZQ4hp

— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 21, 2023

More Injury Woes

It wasn’t all great news when it came to the various Habs prospects this week.

As it stands, David Reinbacher (knee), Lane Hutson, Jared Davidson (upper-body injury), and Emil Heineman (concussion) are all injured, which goes to show that the team’s injury curse goes well beyond their NHL roster.

We should never laugh when someone gets hurt, but Heineman’s injury may just be the most ridiculous injury I’ve ever seen. The linesman was in a poor position and tried to jump over Heineman. Shockingly, he did not manage to clear the Habs prospect, but he did manage to land a flying knee.

Emil Heineman left the game after getting a flying knee from the official as he was falling. pic.twitter.com/b1Zb78NqI3

— Jared Book (@jaredbook) October 14, 2023

Other Habs Prospects News And Notes:

• Those of you who have followed my prospect analysis are well aware that I’m not convinced Oliver Kapanen has a future in the NHL. He’s excellent defensively, but you need a certain level of offensive talent to succeed in the best league on earth. He was held off the scoresheet in Kalpa’s first six games of the season but has picked up his play in recent games, to the tune of two goals and two assists in his last four outings.

Oliver Kapanen (#GoHabsGo) tips in his second goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/BLy21bLmVE

— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) October 20, 2023

• Montreal Canadiens prospect Filip Mesar was being used sparingly in Laval by Houle and consequently was re-assigned to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers.
• In typical Xhekajian fashion, Florian plays with all the intensity and subtlety of a mid-rampage Juggernaut. He has six points in seven games for the Brandfort Bulldogs, and he’s also participated in some post-whistle festivities. To be more accurate, he’s single-handedly launched a few post-whistle scuffles. The Xhekaj brothers aren’t just some of the strongest siblings in hockey, they’re among the most entertaining players, too.
• Luke Tuch had a solid outing on Saturday. With Hutson out of the lineup, Boston University managed an 8-2 win versus Notre Dame. Tuch had a goal and two assists.

Tuchy capped a three-point period with this great individual effort that put us up 4-1.

💻: @peacock pic.twitter.com/UdRyFlD96G

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) October 21, 2023

• Logan Mailloux scored his first professional goal on Saturday night. It was set up by, yup, you guessed it, Roy.

First pro goal for Logan Mailloux!

Joshua Roy feeds him in the slot, and Mailloux buries the goal. pic.twitter.com/LVDtMhUI6F

— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) October 22, 2023