The Canadiens announced on Tuesday that they have sent winger Rafaël Harvey-Pinard to AHL Laval on a long-term injury conditioning loan.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined for the entire season due to a broken leg he suffered during offseason training in late July, and he was initially given a five-month recovery timeline, so this progression is expected.
Standing at 5’9″, the left-winger began skating at the end of October and has been practicing with contact for about a week. Eric Engels from Sportsnet reported on Saturday that the 2019 seventh-round pick is nearing a return. He can remain in Laval for up to two weeks before the Canadiens have to determine if he is fit to return to the NHL and lift him from long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Although he is currently not on the active roster, there’s an available spot and $7.6 million left in their LTIR pool, ensuring his reintegration into the lineup won’t be an issue when he is ready.
Last season marked Harvey-Pinard’s first full year in the NHL, but a persistent lower-body injury limited him to 45 games. He averaged 12:38 of ice time per game, contributing two goals and eight assists for a total of 10 points from just 26 shots on goal.
This was a stark contrast to the significant production he displayed after being recalled from Laval during the 2022-23 season. With star player Cole Caufield undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, Harvey-Pinard took on a larger role, netting 14 goals and 20 points in 34 games, which tied him for fourth on the team in goals by season’s end.
His injury woes likely contributed to his reduced output last year. Across 83 career NHL games, the Quebec native has recorded 17 goals and 31 points, along with a +3 rating. Given his impressive offensive performance in Laval, this output may better reflect his long-term potential, especially for a player selected in the later rounds.
Harvey-Pinard will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer, once he completes the two-year, $2.2 million contract he signed as an RFA in 2023.
