Surprise turn of events to come in the Rem Pitlick case?

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Jeff Drouin
July 9, 2022 (5:29 PM)

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With all the craziness surrounding the NHL draft, you almost forget that the uncompensated free agent market will open in less than a week.

But there are also compensated free agents who are the talk of the town these days. On the Habs' roster, there are a few, including Samuel Montembeault and a certain Rem Pitlick. Romanov was traded, as you know.

Kent Hughes has until Monday to submit a qualifying offer to his free agents, otherwise they will be free as a bird as of July 13.

According to the latest information, Montembeault is expected to be with the team next season, but Pitlick is not. According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, if the latter has not received a qualifying offer by Monday, he will not be back with the Habs and will become an uncompensated free agent.

"If he's not able to come to an agreement with the Canadiens by Monday, my impression is that he'll simply be passed over by the organization and won't receive a qualifying offer."

Lavoie doesn't rule out the two sides coming to an agreement by then, but considering his good season in Montreal, it would be a surprise to many fans if No. 32 isn't back next year, although it could actually happen.

Drafted by the Minnesota Wild last January, Pitlick did well with the Habs with 26 points, including 9 goals, in 46 games, but his offensive production declined at the end of the season.