BROSSARD, QC. — It was the final day of development camp, the final opportunity this summer for prospects to make an impression on Habs brass. That means that not only was the player’s effort ramped up, but also the intensity of the scrimmage.
Two of the best players during today’s scrimmage and throughout the camp are Mike McCarron and Mikhail Sergachev. Finding themselves on opposite teams, and given the type of games played by the two players, there has been a healthy competition all week. Today, with that extra intensity, the competition between McCarron and Sergachev turned into a few less-than-friendly mutual slashes, and once separated, unpleasantries directed at each other all the way back to the benches.
Beyond the altercation, the two continued to make an impact on the outcome of the game. McCarron assisted on the tying goal from Jeremiah Addison nearing the end of the first period. Sergachev scored the go-ahead goal and eventual game winner in the final period.
After the game, Canadiens director of player development, Martin Lapointe sparked discussion on social media by saying, “Certainly not crazy to think Sergachev can play in the NHL next season.” Was it a personal opinion or a narrative being floated by the Canadiens organization?
Certainly that question was answered a short time later when the official Canadiens account tweeted a link to a story that included the tease Sergachev “has all of the attributes to be a stud at the NHL level.” What is the purpose of the Canadiens organization leading fans to believe that they have a young, exciting defenceman who could be ready to step into the lineup in the fall?
The answer to that question should be rather obvious. The Habs would certainly have interest in changing the channel from the blockbuster trade that happened more than a week ago. That said, it would be hard to believe that the Canadiens would reserve a roster spot on defense for the prospect in the hopes that he passes a 10-game regular season audition.
But let there be no doubt that this week Sergachev displayed that he is the real deal. McCarron and Will Bitten also made people take notice in their play. And at a much different level, invitees Scott Eansor and Reid Duke garnered attention.
Trevor Timmins presented the MVP of Development Camp to Nikita Scherbak.
https://twitter.com/CanadiensMTL/status/751062607126208512
Three stars for Day 5
- Mikhail Sergachev
- Mike McCarron
- Will Bitten
Development camp scrimmage – July 7, 2016
Team A – 4
Goals: Reway, McDonald, Sergachev, Bitten
Team B – 2
Goals: Dichiara, Addison
| Team A | Team B |
| Forwards | |
| 37 Will Bitten 40 Connor Crisp 85 Reid Duke 86 Scott Eansor 47 Jeremy Gregoire 78 Karson Kuhlman 92 Hayden McCool 84 Martin Reway 38 Nikita Scherbak 63 Lukas Vejdemo 94 Kody McDonald |
64 Jeremiah Addison 48 Daniel Audette 56 Massimo Corozza 83 Frankie Dichiara 57 Markus Eisenschmid 90 Giovanni Fiore 91 Maxime Fortier 54 Charles Hudon 34 Michael McCarron 96 Petrus Palmu 46 Nicolas Poulin 55 Michael Pezzetta |
| Defensemen | |
| 77 Scott Dornbrock 58 Noah Juulsen 61 Nikolas Koberstein 53 Victor Mete 44 Marshall Rifai 8 Mikhail Sergachev 97 Michael Zipp |
98 Colton Bobyk 60 Simon Bourque 75 Tariq Hammond 81 Arvid Henrikson 89 Ryan Johnston 82 Tom Parisi 49 Casey Staum |
| Goalies | |
| 30 Zach Fucale 70 Michael McNiven |
80 Hayden Hawkey 35 Charlie Lindgren |
Injured
36 Brett Lernout
62 Matthew Bradley
Not present
Artturi Lehkonen
52 Jake Evans
75 Luke Ripley