Calgary Flames Defense Undergoes Major Overhaul Ahead of NHL Trade Deadline

If only Rafael Harvey-Pinard played center, his imminent return from injury would be much simpler.

The Canadiens are notably thin at center due to injuries to Kirby Dach and Christian Dvorak. The recent acquisition of Colin White, seemingly to facilitate Brandon Gignac’s assignment to the Laval Rocket, underscores this deficiency. White, despite being just 27 years old, appears to be past his prime, rendering him relatively dispensable.

Rafaël Harvey-Pinard a full participant at Canadiens practice in Tampa this morning.

— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) March 1, 2024

In a logical scenario, if Harvey-Pinard could transition to center, White would be the obvious candidate to be waived or moved. However, life rarely unfolds so simply. Consequently, general manager Kent Hughes faces a difficult decision: which player should make way for Harvey-Pinard upon his return from injury?

1. Rafael Harvey-Pinard:

Harvey-Pinard has yet to establish himself as a core member of the Canadiens. Prior to his injury, he had only scored one goal and seven points in 24 games this season, a disappointing performance following his 14-goal, 20-point rookie season in 2022-23. Despite this, Harvey-Pinard was rewarded with a one-way contract, likely a factor that will prevent Hughes from waiving him upon his return.

2. Joel Armia:

While Armia also has a one-way contract with a higher salary than Harvey-Pinard’s, he was sent down to the minors at the start of the season to provide younger players with NHL experience. Given this, it would be counterintuitive to retain Armia over Harvey-Pinard, even though Armia has demonstrated his NHL caliber. However, his impressive performance this season, with 11 goals in 45 games, may attract interest from other teams if he were placed on waivers.

3. Jesse Ylonen:

Ylonen’s struggles on the fourth line this season, compared to his previous seasons, may make him a viable candidate to pass through waivers successfully. However, his offensive potential suggests that retaining him in the NHL could benefit the Canadiens, provided they can provide him with adequate support.

4. Jake Allen:

The three-goalie system, primarily to protect Cayden Primeau from waivers, has not been effective. Primeau has arguably outperformed Allen this season, making it sensible to prioritize Primeau’s development by keeping him in the mix.

5. Joshua Roy:

Although Roy has held his own in the NHL through 16 games, his current waiver exemption and ability to contribute to the Laval Rocket’s playoff push make him a logical choice to make way for Harvey-Pinard.

Ultimately, Hughes must prioritize the team’s long-term interests in asset management when making this decision, even if none of the options are ideal.