by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine
When Zach Redmond suffered a broken foot October 20th, 2016 many anticipated that 2016 first round pick Mikhail Sergachev would have an even superior chance to remain with the Montreal Canadiens. Instead, he was a frequent healthy scratch, appearing in just three games, averaging 10:26 per game, and was eventually returned to the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
The Canadiens 5-6 pairing presently is made up of Nathan Beaulieu and Greg Pateryn/Joel Hanley. When the regular season commenced, Beaulieu was granted the opportunity to play with all-star defenseman Shea Weber, needless to say that did not last long and he has now been a regular on the Habs bottom pairing. When it comes to Pateryn, he has been scratched numerous times lately in favor of Joel Hanley, a defenseman who hasn’t performed well whatsoever. Hanley has not managed a point in three games and should see himself back in the American Hockey League soon.
The question now is, if somebody like Joel Hanley can take Pateryn’s spot in the lineup that effortlessly for multiple games (without performing well), what should we expect when Zach Redmond returns? Redmond is a defenseman with 114 games of NHL experience, who can deliver more offensive production, along with defensive responsibly to the bottom pairing. Redmond actually had the best possession numbers among Avalanche defensemen last season during the 37 games he played.
Redmond, 28, formerly of the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche, signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1st, enhancing their defensive depth, and did not look out of place during the pre-season. Listed at 6–foot-2-inches and 208 pounds, the former seventh round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers (remember them?) will intensify the pressure on Greg Pateryn to perform. With Redmond returning soon from injury, it is unquestionably a strong possibility that his two-way defensive skills will be called upon as soon as possible, sending Pateryn to the press box once again.
What do you think Habs fans? Will Zach Redmond pass Greg Pateryn on the depth chart?