Today was quite eventful for the Montreal Canadiens, and General Manager Kent Hughes has been actively making moves. He aimed to communicate a strong message to his team by promoting forward Josh Roy from the Laval Rocket, where he has been excelling.
However, that wasn’t the only news.
The organization also announced the reassignment of Lucas Condotta to the American Hockey League, which has undoubtedly disappointed him. This decision has sparked significant debate since it was revealed.
While Condotta isn’t a game-changer for the Canadiens, the move sends an unusual signal to the rest of the roster. Many commentators believe that it was an unwarranted decision, as some players with lesser performance are remaining in the lineup, while one of the hardest workers in recent games is being sent down.
Condotta earned his time with the Canadiens and in the NHL. He may not have been perfect, but he consistently set a strong example and excelled in the essential tasks that contribute to winning.
In essence, he’s a young player who exhibits veteran-like qualities. If the Canadiens were making decisions purely on merit, Condotta likely wouldn’t be heading to Laval. There are certainly other “talented” players who should sit out before him.
Do you agree? Is this treatment of Condotta unjust?
It’s tough to contest this viewpoint. At 27 years old, Condotta stands 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 218 pounds. He went undrafted but has scored two goals in 11 NHL games, and this season, he has four points in nine games with the Laval Rocket, where he also serves as captain.
I hope that players like Kirby Dach, who have faced criticism recently, grasp the message being sent. Dach should take a cue from Condotta and elevate his performance.
