In a surprising move, Michael McCarron has been recalled by the Montreal Canadiens today from the St. John’s IceCaps.
The Canadiens called up @MacAttackUSA93 from the @IceCapsAHL on Friday. DETAILS -> https://t.co/X5oPq9NXLE pic.twitter.com/KXRqXrLqcq
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 18, 2015
The rookie has 13 goals and 11 assists in 28 games this season.
I say the move is surprising because the team has taken a more patient approach with other rookies doing well in the American Hockey League. Last year, Charles Hudon and Daniel Carr were not recalled all year despite putting up similar, if not better, numbers that McCarron so far this year. But they also weren’t 6’6.
The Canadiens had sent Hudon back to the AHL earlier today and it was expected that move was to make room for Devante Smith-Pelly who will be going with the Canadiens on their upcoming eight game road trip. It is not clear what the plans are for McCarron with the Canadiens, but I would expect they didn’t bring him up to sit in the press box.
It might also show the steps the team will make in order to get goal scoring in the absence of Brendan Gallagher. McCarron has played the wing and center in his career but will likely play wing given how the Canadiens usually use rookies at the NHL level under Michel Therrien.
