Defender Mike Matheson could soon be a defensive reinforcement for the Montreal Canadiens, since he donned a regular player’s white jersey for the first time this season Wednesday morning during a training session at the Sports Complex. Bell of Brossard.
Matheson had taken part in a Habs practice earlier this week, but still had to avoid contact. He has yet to play this season, having been acquired in the summer from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling.
Asked about the presence of the defender in uniform Thursday night against the Blue Jackets in Columbus, head coach Martin St-Louis remained cautious.
“He has a chance to play,” said the former Tampa Bay Lightning star simply, before indicating that Samuel Montembeault will be in goal against the Blue Jackets.
The Quebec goalkeeper also said he was very happy to see Matheson back on the ice with his teammates. After all, Montembeault once rubbed shoulders with Matheson back when the two were playing for the Florida Panthers.
“We are very happy, he is an excellent defender. We see him in training, he is always intense, he works very hard. So we can’t wait to see him back in training, ”said Montembeault.
The 28-year-old veteran could therefore come and lend a hand to the defense of the Canadian, whose flaws were particularly visible in the bitter 5-1 loss conceded Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils, at the Bell Center.
Matheson’s eventual return means that management may soon have to make a difficult roster decision, as there is currently a surplus of defensemen.
Matheson had 11 goals and 20 assists in 74 games with the Penguins last season. Panthers first selection, 23e in total, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft totaled 49 goals and 89 assists in 417 regular NHL career games with the Panthers and Penguins.
Pitlick back
Earlier in the morning, the Canadian recalled forward Rem Pitlick from his school club the Laval Rocket. He was also on the ice in Brossard with his teammates on Wednesday.
Pitlick has three assists in three games with the Rocket this season. He had not been claimed after being placed on waivers by the Habs on November 7.
The 25-year-old forward has also appeared in seven games with the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge this season, but he hasn’t put his name on the scoresheet so far.
He hopes this time will be the right one for him, and that he will be able to find the touch that allowed him to register 9 goals and 17 assists in his record in 46 games last season.
“Each day brings a new opportunity to accomplish something. That I’m there [à Laval] or here, whatever, I’ve been playing hockey long enough to know what I need to do to be successful,” said Pitlick.
His recall is no stranger to the announcement made the day before, after the loss to the Devils, of a four to six week absence for Quebec forward Jonathan Drouin due to an upper body injury suffered on November 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“I had no idea [de la gravité de sa blessure], St-Louis said of Drouin. I know he had a discomfort problem, but I didn’t know at what level. That’s what they [les médecins] saw during examinations. I don’t know if he aggravated his injury, or if it’s something new. »
Finally, the Canadian indicated that forward Joel Armia had skated alone on Wednesday and that he would not accompany the team to Columbus. Instead, he will stay in Montreal to continue his rehabilitation.