If you're an American League player and the manager calls you into his office after a game, there are two options: either he's telling you that the big club has drafted you, or he's not entirely happy with your job.
With all of the Habs' forwards apparently healthy (we knew Josh Anderson would be checked daily for a lower-body injury just before morning practice) and some of his teammates already called up, Joshua Roy was worried about some moments when Jean- François Houle called him to a meeting.
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“I didn’t really know why. I asked myself, 'Did I do something wrong?'” he said with a grin at the end of the morning practice.
No, the Beauceron had done nothing wrong. On the other hand.
“I heard he had a good game yesterday [vendredi]», even mentioned Martin St-Louis.
In fact, it's a well-deserved reminder for those playing their first professional season. He currently sits second in the Laval Rocket's points standings with 30 points in 34 games. With 12 goals, he is the team's top scorer. Not to mention, he's on an excellent streak with 7 points in his last 6 games.
Blacking up the scoresheet is nothing new for this fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft. He collected 119 and 99 points in his final two seasons in the QMJHL. If he got this nomination, it was because of the development in the rest of his game.
“From what I’ve heard, he’s improved his defensive game,” said Rafaël Harvey-Pinard. He's complete, he can play on both ends of the ice. He has above-average offensive instincts.”
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A smart player
In his NHL debut, Roy will line up on the left next to Sean Monahan and Joel Armia.
“Josh will play with two veterans. He should feel comfortable. It's a trio with intelligence and seriousness. “It’s a good chair for him,” argued St-Louis.
“I'm really nervous. “A Saturday night in Montreal is going to be really incredible,” said Roy, for whom about thirty parents and friends will come to the Bell Center. There's something about jumping onto the NHL ice for a regular season game. I will try to approach it like a normal game.
The Canadian head coach reminded him of this by peppering him with a bit of chatter in the final moments of practice.
“I always tell young players the same thing. Don't try to be perfect and please me. Play the game and we will correct the mistakes,” he explained.
Plus, St-Louis didn't seem too worried about his new foal.
“The jump from the junior league to the American League is smaller than that from the American League to the NHL. Typically, smart players fit into the NHL more easily, he said. “I kind of expect that from him because he’s an intelligent player.”
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Montembeault vs. the Oilers
In addition, the Canadian will present a slightly different face than in his last appearances. Johnathan Kovacevic will return to the lineup after three games on the Bridge. Justin Barron will give him his place.
Samuel Montembeault will start for the second consecutive season. The task won't be easy as the Oilers come to Montreal on a streak of nine straight wins.
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