The days when Ryan Poehling was one of the Canadiens’ best prospects are over. His first career NHL game, where he scored a hat trick in addition to the game-winning goal in the shootout, set the city on fire.
However, things got complicated later. His adaptation to professional hockey was difficult and several rumors surfaced regarding his physical conditioning and his marked interest in video games.
The center was able to make up for it with a strong season in the American League last year when he finished first in scoring for the Rocket with 25 points in 28 games.
But he had an ordinary training camp in the fall of 2021 and had to return to Laval.
The Habs’ season, however, did not go as planned and the former St. Cloud State was able to play 48 games with the big club, collecting 13 points in the process.
Ryan Poehling is having a solid campaign, but nothing too impressive. His new head coach Martin Saint-Louis likes what he’s seen from him so far, but hopes to see more in the last 10 games this year.
“It’d be nice for him to get some momentum here…stay healthy, stay in the lineup for the 10 (games) and really build his game and carry it into the summer and into training camp next year.”
Martin St. Louis talks about what he’s seen from Ryan Poehling so far. pic.twitter.com/GIFTyLxAVh
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 11, 2022
Saint-Louis says he likes Poehling’s skating and size. With these assets, his coach thinks he has a chance of becoming a regular in the league.
He also explains that the injuries complicated his analysis a bit as they cut off the 23-year-old’s progress at times. He therefore has no concrete idea of Poehling’s real long-term potential. Indeed, the latter has only played 17 games, in which he has collected five points, since the arrival of Saint-Louis at the helm of the team.
This is why his end of the season will be so important.
If he plays consistently well by the end of the year, he could prove to the organization that he deserves his spot long-term.
The number 25 was never seen as a player who could make the top-six, as he simply doesn’t have the attacking talent. Even in the NCAA, his production has never been amazing.
Although the three-goal game against Toronto in 2019 was a mirage, Ryan Poehling has what it takes to become a good third- or fourth-line center in the NHL.
Now it’s just a matter of staying healthy to confirm he can do it and his bosses can invest in him.
A lot of
– Here is MLSE’s explanation for the young supporter’s expulsion on Saturday night.
A MLSE official provided TSN with this account of what happened at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night. #Leafs #Habs https://t.co/vXGPhtmglQ pic.twitter.com/iT0nRujrDk
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) April 11, 2022
– A great job for the Alliance de Montréal.
Ryan Thorne joins the Alliance coaching staff https://t.co/K9gLh59IhB
– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) April 11, 2022
– LeBron James will have a new coach in Los Angeles next year.
Lakers fire coach Frank Vogel https://t.co/VrFwiu69MG
– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) April 11, 2022
– And his team would be interested in replacing him with the Raptors.
The Lakers will reportedly target Raptors coach Nick Nurse after they part ways with Frank Vogel https://t.co/apWK0tfNUK
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 11, 2022
– Changes in the formation of the Rocket tonight.
Alex Belzile, ill, withdraws for the match tonight in Belleville. Gabriel Bourque and Cédric Paquette, injured, will not be there either. Peter Abbandonato, Devante Smith-Pelly and Nicolas Mattinen inserted into the training. From 6:30 p.m. @919sports
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) April 11, 2022