Rem Pitlick is ultimately the one who suffered because of the surplus of attackers at the Montreal Canadiens.
Pitlick’s name went on waivers Monday. The 31 other NHL teams have until 2 p.m. Tuesday to claim Pitlick, failing which the Canadiens will give him up to their American Hockey League school club, the Laval Rocket.
“Rem has come a long way in 10 months here. Unfortunately for him, these are things that happen,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis. He has the potential to become a good player in the NHL. »
“These are steps in a career. Me, at 25, I was always looking for a job. Rem has to stay the course and that’s what he’s going to do,” added St. Louis, who was in his first season with the Tampa Bay Lightning at age 25.
Pitlick has played in 7 of the Canadiens’ first 12 games this season and hasn’t blacked out the scoresheet.
He had scored 9 goals and 17 assists in 46 games with the Habs last winter. The team got it from the Minnesota Wild on waivers on Jan. 12. He then signed a new two-year contract worth a total of US$2.2 million with the Canadiens during the summer.
“He was good during camp and I had fun playing with him,” said forward Jake Evans. I think he showed the same qualities as last season, but sometimes confidence is a major factor when you feel like the puck isn’t going into the net. »
“The situation of many players has changed in terms of their ice time or their use on special teams, added Evans. It may also have had an impact. »
Pitlick had maintained an average playing time of 17:17 after joining the Canadiens last winter. That average had dropped to 12:39 this season.
Center Christian Dvorak also missed training for the Canadiens on Monday at the Bell Sports Complex. Instead, he was enjoying a day of treatment.
Dvorak blocked four shots in the Canadiens’ 6-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. He had to retreat to the locker room briefly in the first period after being hit by a throw from Shea Theodore.
Dadonov’s return?
The Canadiens will play their next game on Tuesday, when they visit the Detroit Red Wings. He will then face the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday at the Bell Centre.
Forward Josh Anderson will miss both games. He was suspended for two games by the NHL for a dangerous hit on Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.
“When you watch the replay, you understand why he was suspended,” admitted defender Joel Edmundson. But that’s how he plays. He plays hard and finishes every check. It’s something that can happen from time to time. »
” [Pietrangelo] was leaving the area and he turned at the last moment. The timing was not good. Josh is going to complete every check possible, especially if it’s against one of the opponent’s stars. It’s like that. »
Anderson has 3 goals and 2 assists in 12 games this season.
His absence means Evgenii Dadonov could be reinserted into the lineup. A spokesperson for the Canadiens said his name should be removed from the injured list on Tuesday. It’s also part of the equation for why Pitlick ended up on waivers.
Dadonov was left out against the Blues in St. Louis on October 29. He then found himself on the sidelines due to what is believed to be a virus.
The 33-year-old Russian still has no points on the clock after eight games with the Canadian. He was employed an average of 13:29 per encounter. According to TVA Sports, Dadonov’s agent also contacted the general manager of the Canadian, Kent Hughes, to complain about the use of his client.
St. Louis wouldn’t confirm whether Dadonov would be in uniform against the Red Wings.
“Dadonov has a lot of energy, tenacity. He’s a proven player in the NHL and I expect him to have an impact once he’s back in the lineup,” St-Louis said.
Elsewhere, the Habs head coach confirmed that goaltender Jake Allen would face the Red Wings shots.