Montreal Canadiens forward prospect signs a two-year ELC.
The Montreal Canadiens have signed one of their forward prospects to an entry-level contract. This time, centre Jared Davidson, their fifth-round pick, 130th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, signs a two-year ELC. Despite having a talented, youthful forward corps, the Canadiens lack organizational depth. As a result, General Manager Kent Hughes’ ELC signing is crucial in rounding out their forward group. Especially if they plan to compete for the Eastern Conference Wild Card playoff spot in the 2024-25 season.
Jared Davidson signed his ELC with the Montreal Canadiens.
Jared Davidson signs his ELC following a successful season for his personal development with the AHL’s Laval Rocket. In 2023-24, he played 38 games and contributed 11 goals and five assists. Certainly, 2023-24 cannot be regarded a dismal professional first season. Previously, in his final two seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, the centre developed as an NHL prospect. He had 42 goals and 47 assists in 64 games in 2021-22. He then went on to score 38 goals and 44 assists in 60 games in 2022-23. Furthermore, he wore the ‘A’ during his last junior season with Seattle. In addition to his offensive production, he demonstrated his ability to lead. The Edmonton native and the rest of the Canadiens’ organization hope he can continue to improve over the following two seasons of his deal. Then we’ll know for certain whether we have an NHL, bottom-six player on our hands or not.
What’s in store for the Canadiens in 2024-25 Organization
Montreal is obviously a team in transition, between rebuilding and becoming perennial playoff participants. On defense, GM Kent Hughes and the rest of the development staff have assembled an impressive squad. Guys like Kaiden Guhle, Jayden Struble, and Lane Hutson are mature enough to fill the top six to eight defensive positions. They are the type of players who will help the Canadiens push for a playoff spot. However, there are some voids in the team’s starting lineup. In fact, a similar tendency emerges among other non-playoff teams, including the Ottawa Senators. They could definitely use a middle-six player, a checker, who is a true NHL professional.
Alex Killorn, Connor Brown, and Sam Bennett are all regulars in playoff teams’ lineups. They do not have to be effective scorers, but they should be difficult to play against, win puck battles, and be responsible defensively. That is the type of guy that the Canadiens front group would greatly benefit from, one Hughes believes Davidson can develop into. Also, expect the Canadiens to further stockpile forwards in this year’s draft.
A healthy Kirby Dach would make a significant difference in their forward lineup in 2024-25. For example, it would allow a player like Alex Newhook to concentrate on his offensive abilities. Furthermore, Davidson requires more time to develop under the freshly extended Head Coach Jean-Francois Houle of the Laval Rockets. So, give him the two years guaranteed by this contract and see where it takes him in the organization.
