The Montreal Canadiens have added some AHL depth on defense, signing Stefan Leblanc to a one-year AHL contract. The 21-year old defenseman was an undrafted free agent who competed this season for the Mississauga Steelheads as an over-aged OHL player.
Leblanc was ranked 131st by Central Scouting among North American skaters in 2014, but wasn’t drafted in any of his eligible years. Instead, he has slowly developed his game in Mississauga as a solid defender with a mean streak and a bit of offensive upside. With 37 points in 66 games he trailed only 2017 draft-eligible Nicolas Hague among Steelhead defensemen, but will have a tough time emulating that production at the next level.
Instead, he’ll use his solid positional play in his own end and fitness to try and turn himself into a defensive presence on the new Laval Rocket squad. With the move from St. John’s, the Rocket will be the new destination for Montreal minor-leaguers, and Leblanc will attempt to play well enough to deserve an NHL contract next season. He’ll have some interesting company, as top prospect Noah Juulsen is likely ticketed for the AHL to being next season as well after suiting up for the Ice Caps in this year’s playoffs.
I’m surprised Leblanc was never drafted. He’s been pretty consistent in the OHL and teams are always on the lookout for defensive depth.