The Montreal Canadiens have officially announced that Sam Montembeault underwent wrist surgery last week, a successful procedure that took place in New York. The young netminder is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of training camp in September. Montembeault’s role at that training camp remains to be seen, as is his spot on the organizational depth chart.
An arbitration-eligible restricted free agent this summer, Montembeault ended up playing in 38 games this season for the Canadiens, posting a .891 save percentage in the process. That was because of the injuries to Carey Price (and Jake Allen), injuries that are still putting the veteran netminder’s career in doubt. If Price doesn’t return to the Montreal crease, it would be Allen’s net at present, with the backup position up for grabs between Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, the only two other goaltenders under contract. Obviously, a free agent signing could change that, meaning a quick return to health is important for the future of Montembeault.
- The New Jersey Devils have officially assigned Shakir Mukhamadullin to the AHL, now that he has arrived in North America. The top prospect will join the Utica Comets for practice, but general manager Tom Fitzgerald said Mukhamadullin will just watch for the time being and only enter game action when he’s comfortable enough. The Comets kick off their series against the Rochester Americans tomorrow night.
- It’s always an incredible achievement for a player to be named MVP in consecutive seasons, but that’s exactly what T.J. Tynan has accomplished. The Ontario Reign forward was named the most valuable in the AHL once again, following the honor in last year’s shortened season. Now 30, the 5’8″ Tynan has only ever played in 21 NHL games and has never scored a goal at the highest level, but is an absolute dynamo in the minor leagues. With 98 points in 62 games this season he raised his AHL total to 446 career points.
Imagine being the best player for two years in the AHL and only played in 21 NHL games….you would think you would have more chances than that….
He’s undersized for a center. It’s the main reason of not being able to translate to the NHL. Top-line defenses would eat Tynan alive at center. He’d be bullied big time, and would not find many windows to score or pass off without being physically pressured to oblivion.
He also just doesn’t have the physical attributes and explosiveness that would allow him to translate his scoring ability at wing ala Cole Canfield. It’s essentially a Hugh McGing problem, McGing was dirty in college, a real short king grinder, but his size and intangibles just can’t translate to C in the NHL.
Just shows the massive gap between the NHL and AHL.
I played beer league with a guy who played in the ECHL and I couldnt touch him. He said thats how he felt about the AHL.