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Alex Barré-Boulet : a great option to replace Owen Beck
Mathis Therrien
Alex Barré-Boulet : a great option to replace Owen Beck
Credit: Getty Images
Kent Hughes has decided not to make any moves at the trade deadline, as he has neither sold his assets that will be free agents this summer, nor acquired a center player for the second line.

This is a conservative decision that does not harm the rebuilding process or the Canadiens’ chances in the playoff race.

However, the fact is clear regarding the current Tricolore lineup: it lacks a second center.

The position is currently occupied by Owen Beck, but even if he’s not bad and does some good things here and there, Martin St-Louis clearly doesn’t have confidence in him.

This has been even more evident over the past three games, as Beck hasn’t even reached 10 minutes of ice time.

Ice time for recent games:

  • 9:43 on March 1st vs Buffalo
  • 7:49 on March 3rd vs Buffalo
  • 8:22 on March 6th vs Edmonton

In short, it’s clear that the playoff run will be difficult for the Tricolore with a second center playing less than ten minutes.

So, a solution needs to be found now that the trade deadline has passed, and this solution could be found internally.

Indeed, with the Laval Rocket, there is a player who produces a point per game and has NHL experience.

(Credit: HockeyDB.com)

Seriously, when I saw this morning that Barré-Boulet had 47 points in 47 games this season with the Laval Rocket, including his two goals yesterday, I really thought about the idea of him being called up to Montreal.

At 27 years old, the Quebecer has never really had a quality chance in the NHL, despite always dominating in the American League.

And now, with the Canadiens needing a second center, the opportunity is more than beautiful for ABB, in my opinion.

Sending Beck to Laval would really be more beneficial for his development than playing barely in the NHL, and bringing Barré-Boulet up would give Martin St-Louis a second wind.

The Canadiens’ coach would surely have more confidence in a 27-year-old player, who clearly has a lot of talent, and who would have the knife between his teeth to seize his chance to establish himself in the NHL.

Even if Barré-Boulet doesn’t always play center, he would be a great option for the second center position alongside Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook.

In the worst-case scenario, Newhook could play center.

In short, if Beck continues to play so little because St-Louis doesn’t trust him, the Canadiens should really consider the possibility of bringing Barré-Boulet up to Montreal.

This wouldn’t hurt the Rocket, who would get Beck back, and for the playoffs, Barré-Boulet would be back.

What do you think?


In a Flash

– To be closely watched.

– A roster move that doesn’t really please Devils fans if we’re to believe the comments. They would have all preferred to see Simon Nemec be sent back to the American League.

– A heartbreaking goal for Michael Hage and the University of Michigan.

– An important day.

– Indeed.

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