Montreal Canadiens AHL Affiliate | Laval Rocket News: New Contracts for Morgan Adams-Moisan, Joe Cox, Gustav Olofsson, McCarron’s Future
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The 2019 American Hockey League season concluded last weekend as the Charlotte Checkers were crowned the Calder Cup champions. The Checkers, Hurricanes AHL affiliate, beat the Chicago Wolves, Golden Knights AHL affiliate, in five games to win the title.
It was a good season for the Hurricanes organization as their teams had deep playoff runs at each level. At the NHL level, the Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference final where they got swept by the Bruins, while the Checkers lost a total of four games in their championship run in the AHL. The Florida Everblades, Hurricanes ECHL affiliate, reached the conference final where they lost against the Newfoundland Growlers in five games. The Growlers, Maple Leafs ECHL affiliate, went on to win the Kelly Cup.
Contract signings
Marc Bergevin continued signing depth players for the Rocket next season. On Friday June 7th, it was announced that Morgan Adams-Moisan and Joe Cox were both signed to two-way (AHL/ECHL) contracts for the upcoming season.
Adams-Moisan spent most of last season with the Maine Mariners in the ECHL, playing 42 games. With the Mariners, he finished third on the team in scoring with 15 goals. He also added six assists and spent 98 minutes in the penalty box.
With the Rocket, Adams-Moisan picked up just one goal and one assist in 16 games, playing primarily on the fourth line. Adams-Moisan had previously played three seasons with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL coached by Joel Bouchard.
Cox played the majority of the season with the Florida Everblades in the ECHL, where he finished with 27 goals, 34 assists, 61 points, plus-46 in 55 games. He led the team in all of those categories. In the playoffs, he recorded three assists in 12 games.
Cox signed a professional contract with the Rocket on February 27th and played nine games with the team before getting injured during the March 20th game against the Bruins and was eventually released from his contract on April 2nd. During his time with Laval, he scored two goals and added two assists, as Bouchard used him on both wings and was used anywhere in the lineup where he was needed.
Olofsson Re-signs
On Friday, the Canadiens announced that they signed defenseman Gustav Olofsson to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Olofsson $700,000 at the NHL level and $235,000 in the AHL, with $300,000 in guaranteed salary.
Olofsson was acquired via trade on October 3rd 2018 from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Will Bitten. Olofsson played four periods with the Rocket last season before suffering a shoulder injury that led to a season ending surgery. He was near a return as he had returned to practising with his teammates during the last week of the season with a non-contact jersey.
After not playing for an entire year, I expect Olofsson to begin the season in Laval and can eventually be a candidate to be recalled by Montreal at some point in the season.
McCarron’s Future
Wade Arnott, Michael McCarron‘s agent, recently told LaPresse’s Richard Labbe that he will be meeting with Marc Bergevin in Vancouver this week during the NHL draft to talk about his client’s future with the organization. McCarron is a restricted free agent and the organization has until 5 pm. Eastern Time on June 25th to tender a qualifying offer.
“We already had discussions with Canadiens management at the end of the season, discussions that were positive, but nothing has been decided for the moment, and we can’t assume anything,” said Arnott to LaPresse.
McCarron was having a good season until he suffered an injury in late December that led to a season ending shoulder injury. He said that it was his best season since his first season in St. John’s. Prior to his injury, McCarron had 21 points in 32 games and was also physically involved in the games. Throughout the season, he played centre in one of the two top lines and was on the first power play unit.
“I think my skating got a lot better this year. I was quicker on pucks. I was getting to the net. When I was drafted, everybody said I was a long term project. Four years into my professional hockey career, I feel like I’m starting to grow into my body, started putting a lot more muscle on my legs and just feel more comfortable out there. Like before, I didn’t feel very comfortable on my skates and I’m starting to feel more comfortable. I’m doing more skating power skating in the summer and I felt a big improvement this year on that,” said McCarron at the end of the season.
I expect that the organization re-signs him to another two-way contract. In September, it will be his fifth training camp as a professional. “I think I’m an NHL player. I believe that one hundred percent. I want to play in Montreal. That’s my goal,” added McCarron. I didn’t see enough from McCarron last season that would make me feel like he has a chance to start the season in the NHL.
By Chris G., Senior Writer.
All Habs Hockey Magazine
Copyright © 2019 Rocket Sports
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