Filip Mesar: let's not be too quick to dismiss the idea of him returning to junior

I sometimes get the feeling that Filip Mesar isn’t talked about enough.

The CH prospect found himself in the shadow of his compatriot, Juraj Slafkovsky, after his selection in last summer’s draft… And that’s to be expected, given that attention was (and still is) riveted on the first overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

But Mesar is a first-round pick, and he wasn’t chosen 26th just like that . The organization likes his qualities, and we can all understand where that comes from, because the Slovak is an exciting player to watch on the ice.

Our colleague Marc-Olivier Beaudoin has taken the time to build his Rocket club for next season’s opener, and Mesar’s name is on the third line.

Anthony Marcotte, who comments on the team’s games for BPM Sports, was asked to comment on Marc-Olivier Beaudoin’s line-up, and he has a slightly different view. In his eyes, Mesar won’t be starting the season with the Rocket.

And since Mesar didn’t produce up to expectations in the OHL last season (51 points in 52 games), it’s hard to believe that Anthony Marcotte sees him starting the campaign in the NHL:

It looks a bit like what I’ve got. On the other hand, I think Barron will start at the top and Lindstrom won’t make the club. Gignac and Bisson will have regular roles and Légaré will have to earn his ice time for a top 6. I don’t see Mesar in Laval despite what he thinks.

– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) August 17, 2023

Let’s not forget that, in his opinion, Filip Mesar has what it takes to make the jump to the AHL. He expects to be wearing Rocket colors for the first game of the season because, in his eyes, his junior training period is over.

He even hopes to get the chance to play in the NHL in 2023-2024. That says a lot about his intentions…

But in the end, it all depends on his performance at the CH training camp. If Mesar shows he’s progressed and deserves a spot in a professional lineup this winter, I think the Habs will give him that chance to see how he’s progressing.

That said…

If Mesar arrives at camp and looks like he’s behind the group, I don’t see why the Habs would decide to rush things by sending him to Laval. He’s still eligible to play junior hockey this season (he’ll be 20 next January) and perhaps the best solution for his individual development and progression lies there.

We keep saying that you have to be patient with young players. And Filip Mesar’s case is no different, even if he is a first-round pick.

Let’s give him time.

In gusto

– All the same.

Europeans Detroit has drafted with Hakan Andersson working for them:

– Pavel Datsyuk
– Lucas Raymond
– Moritz Seider
– Henrik Zetterberg
– Johan Franzen
– Valtteri Filppula
– Niklas Kronwall
– Tomas Holmstrom
– Gustav Nyquist
– Tomas Tatar
– Filip Hronek
– Jonatan Berggren https://t.co/rc5icLpAbd pic.twitter.com/gKLXycLJ62

– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) August 17, 2023

– Good news for the Olympics.

A serious clue that Justin Dumais is going to play in the @QMJHL and probably with the @OlympiquesGAT. He’s in the lineup tonight in Drummondville. Will lose #NCAA eligibility. https://t.co/kfbu7Ckpbx

– jf plante (@jfplante_Droit) August 17, 2023

– Montreal, Montreal, Montreal!

NBA considering expansion and markets in Canada have ” shown interest “

Which Canadian city should have another NBA team? 🤔🏀 pic.twitter.com/Wswc6ASNbK

– Made In Canada (@MadelnCanada) August 17, 2023

– Please note:

The Raptors will open their 2023-24 season at home against the Timberwolves on October 25th. 🦖 pic.twitter.com/zjn1Nu7wzk

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 17, 2023