Ryan Poehling: the hidden card to replace Phillip Danault?
Now that he has signed a two-year extension worth $750,000 per year, Ryan Poehling can fully focus on the Montreal Canadiens' training camp, which starts on September 22. Like most of the team's centers, he will have every chance in the world to make his mark, as the team's staff is still looking for someone to fill the void left by Quebec's Phillip Danault, who left for Los Angeles.
While a signing or trade is still possible, although the options are limited, it is far more likely that a player already in the organization will fill the role of the former number 24 next season, and Poehling may be one of the most qualified candidates for the job, having just had a great season with the Laval Rocket.
Although their playing styles are very different, there is a comparison between Danault and his potential successor. Both drafted late in the first round (26th overall in 2011 for Danault, 25th overall in 2017 for Poehling), they both had their best season in the AHL at age 22. However, if you look at the numbers a little closer, you can notice that Poehling's contribution is far greater than Phillip Danault's at the same age.
