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:

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

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