Rafael Harvey-Pinard is set to return to play following a summer surgery for a broken leg, but he won’t be rejoining the Montreal Canadiens right away. Instead, he has been loaned to the Laval Rocket for an extended conditioning period. It remains uncertain when he will return to the Canadiens and what his role might be if he gets called back. Let’s take a closer look at Harvey-Pinard’s comeback and its implications for his future with the Canadiens.
**Harvey-Pinard Joins Laval Rocket**
The 25-year-old has had an up-and-down experience with the Canadiens. After a season plagued by injuries in 2022-23, he was promoted to the NHL, where he played significant minutes, primarily alongside Nick Suzuki and on the first power play unit, scoring 14 goals in just 34 games. If sustained over a full season, this output would translate to an impressive 33 goals.
**Inconsistent Seasons for Harvey-Pinard**
Anticipation was high for Harvey-Pinard to have a breakout season last year, but he faced multiple injuries again, limiting him to just 45 games. When he did play, he struggled, netting only two goals and ten points. He has yet to appear this season and is set to debut in Laval shortly.
**Duration of Harvey-Pinard’s Stay in Laval**
Given his injury history and inconsistent performance, it’s hard to determine how long he will remain in the minors. The Canadiens have stated this demotion is simply for conditioning. The Laval Rocket have had a strong start this season, and adding Harvey-Pinard could enhance their performance. However, once he is back to full speed, he might stay in Laval longer than anticipated. Aside from his standout season with 14 goals, he hasn’t maintained consistent production at the NHL level. Additionally, with players like Emil Heineman now occupying his previous role and the upcoming return of Patrik Laine, the chances of him reclaiming a spot on the roster appear slim. He may only get another shot if there are injuries, and with others like Lucas Condotta already getting called up, the competition for a roster spot has intensified.
**His Future with the Canadiens**
The Canadiens boast one of the top young cores in the league, featuring prospects such as Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, Owen Beck, and Joshua Roy, all of whom are vying for a place in the lineup. Additionally, Oliver Kapanen has returned to the SHL after starting the season in Montreal. As younger, more skilled forwards continue to emerge, Harvey-Pinard’s position with the team grows more uncertain. Veteran players like Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, and Jake Evans are likely headed for free agency this summer, and although Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher have a few years left on their contracts, their futures are also uncertain. While there will be opportunities on the roster soon, it will ultimately be up to Harvey-Pinard to demonstrate to the Canadiens’ management that he deserves one of those spots.
