It would soon be the end for a player beloved by the Canadiens fans

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Jim Sullivan
November 26, 2024 (9:52 PM)

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Now that we are a quarter of the way through the season, there is one thing that is becoming increasingly clear to the Montreal Canadiens: Michael Pezzetta is no longer part of the organization's plans.

After playing more than 60 games in each of his last two seasons, number 55 has been scratched from the lineup 17 times so far this year, having only played three small games.

Despite everything, even though his last appearance in the Montreal lineup dates back to October 27, almost a month ago, Michael Pezzetta maintains an exemplary attitude and continues to be involved with the community.

However, the 26-year-old forward is not fooled, he knows full well that his time with the Habs organization is coming to an end soon, as he will become a free agent at the end of this season.

Unfortunately for Michael Pezzetta, Martin St-Louis does not seem to consider him as an interesting option when he establishes his starting lineup, so much so that he has even been surpassed by Lucas Condotta in the team hierarchy.

Moreover, with the arrival of Joshua Roy and the imminent returns of Patrik Laine and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, the Habs general manager Kent Hughes will have to make an important decision regarding the future of his forward.

That being said, with 22 healthy players on the roster, the additions of RHP and Laine would push the Canadiens over the 23-player limit.

While the decision to demote Lucas Condotta to the Laval Rocket was the logical choice, the decision will be more difficult to make this time around. Kent Hughes will therefore have to choose between Michael Pezzetta, Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Joshua Roy.

In such a scenario, let's say that number 55, who is no longer part of the team's long-term plans, does not really have an argument in his favor, if it were not for the fact that he must go through waivers to be assigned to the American League.

"The other player who could be placed on waivers is Michael Pezzetta who has not played in a month, he who is clearly no longer part of the team's plans." -Renaud Lavoie

Knowing that Martin St-Louis likes RHP, whom he describes as a real Swiss army knife, and that Joshua Roy has the talent to carve out a position with the big club, everything suggests that Kent Hughes will have to part ways with Michael Pezzetta soon.

So don't be surprised if the 6-foot-1, 219-pound forward is placed on waivers when Patrik Laine and Rafael Harvey-Pinard are able to make a return to the Montreal Canadiens lineup.