The Montreal Canadiens have a chance to acquire a 2019 first-round pick, as the Calgary Flames have put Jakob Pelletier on waivers.
At 23 years old, Pelletier was selected 26th overall but has struggled to secure a spot on the Flames’ roster, despite performing well in the AHL. The Flames have limited his playing time during his 37 NHL appearances across three seasons, where he managed to score four goals and register six assists.
In the AHL, however, he excelled, contributing 48 goals and 63 assists in 119 games for the Calgary Wranglers, averaging an impressive 0.93 points per game. Pelletier is versatile, capable of playing both center and wing, and he seems to possess untapped offensive potential.
Despite being the type of player general manager Kent Hughes might consider for a reclamation project, there are concerns about adding him to the Canadiens’ lineup.
Firstly, he is a smaller forward, standing at 5’9″ and weighing 170 pounds. While smaller players often go unappreciated in the NHL, it is important to recognize the diminishing returns of stacking the roster with undersized players. Moreover, the Canadiens currently have no available spots for an incoming player. They could opt to send Oliver Kapanen back to Sweden or assign either Alex Barre-Boulet or Michael Pezzetta to the AHL, but these options are less than ideal. Pelletier’s uncertain status as a prospect raises doubts about him receiving sufficient ice time to develop his scoring abilities.
It’s easy to draw comparisons to Paul Byron’s stats before the Canadiens allowed him significant playing time in the NHL. While some argue that Pelletier simply needs more ice time, there are numerous examples of AHL players who excelled but failed to secure NHL roles. Additionally, it appears Pelletier might not make a substantial impact, especially since the Canadiens already have similar prospects in their system.
The same applies to Raphael Lavoie, who was recently placed on waivers by the Edmonton Oilers. While he presents an intriguing option, the current roster situation in Montreal makes claiming Lavoie unlikely.
In terms of waiver claims, the Canadiens hold the fifth-highest priority, behind only the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Furthermore, the Canadiens could potentially claim both Pelletier and Lavoie without affecting their waiver priority, as it will remain unchanged until November 1, when it will be adjusted based on the latest standings.
