There has been extensive discussion regarding Filip Mesar’s potential, particularly following his first-round selection by the Montreal Canadiens. Although some critics have found his performance in the OHL lacking, it is too soon to dismiss the 20-year-old prospect.
**Filip Mesar’s Promising Start**
Before joining the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, Mesar played two professional seasons in Slovakia. He managed to score just over a point per game in his return to amateur hockey, demonstrating that he needed to adapt his playing style. The 2024-25 season is crucial for Mesar’s development, as he now returns to a professional level with stronger teammates, leaving no margin for error regarding his NHL ambitions.
Fortunately, Mesar quickly made an impact by scoring a goal and providing two assists in Laval’s season opener against the Providence Bruins. He continued to perform well, adding two assists in the subsequent three games, currently placing him at the top of the Rocket’s scoring leaderboard with one goal and four assists.
Mesar has displayed an active style of play, a necessary shift for a prospect who previously hesitated to engage physically while in the OHL. Maintaining this high level of effort throughout the season will be critical, but he has certainly begun his AHL career on a positive note.
I apologize for the poor quality of the footage; unfortunately, that’s often the case in AHL arenas, with Providence being one of the least favorable feeds in the league.
Another emerging player, rookie Owen Beck, found his scoring touch, netting his first professional goal in just his fourth game despite some NHL call-ups. While I remain unconcerned about Beck’s offensive skills, he needs to score consistently to position himself for a potential call-up.
Beck’s strong work ethic and well-rounded skill set alleviate concerns about his eventual rise to the NHL. He’s a quick learner and versatile player who consistently puts in maximum effort.
In the same vein, I commend Mesar for his engagement in plays, navigating through traffic to maintain possession, leading to an assist for Beck, who adeptly took advantage of open space.
In a familiar pattern, prospect Joshua Roy was scoreless in the first two AHL games before breaking out with two goals and an assist against the Syracuse Crunch. It may be unfair to judge his performance against Springfield and Providence based solely on output; he registered six and three shots in those games, indicative of potential scoring increases. This serves as a reminder that Roy’s positive contributions can often counterbalance games where he underperforms.
Alex Barre-Boulet has also shone with four points from just two games (2 goals, 2 assists), though his scoring prowess in the AHL is already well established.
Had he not been recalled to the NHL, Logan Mailloux could likely be the team’s scoring leader currently, with two goals and two assists in just two games.
Additionally, Connor Hughes recorded a shutout in his debut with the Rocket, saving all 23 shots against Syracuse on Saturday.
