Free washing machine | When will Sean Farrell be in Montreal?

Another phase of the Canadian’s rebuilding will begin in the coming weeks: taking in new recruit, Sean Farrell in mind.

Some prospects’ seasons in the NCAA and in Europe will soon be over, or have already ended, and contracts are already awaiting the most promising of them.

Last year, for example, defender Jordan Harris joined the team for about 10 games to play after Northeastern were eliminated. These few meetings have allowed him to get to know his new environment and he has become a regular this season.

Farrell, 21, is without a doubt the most exciting prospect to join the club. This fourth-round pick, fourth overall in 2020, outrageously dominated the NCAA at Harvard this winter with 51 points, including 20 goals, in 31 games.

His production earned him the second-leading scorer in the college circuit in average points per game, behind Adam Fantelli, likely second overall draft pick in 2023. Farrell is one point ahead of Logan Cooley, third overall pick in 2022, in three fewer games . However, he is the oldest of the group.

By comparison, Cole Cofield had 52 points, including 30 goals, in 31 games in his second and final season in the NCAA.

Given their birthdays (Cofield was born in January, and Farrell in November, so consider A late In the language of the quarterback), Caufield gave up nearly a year to Farrell during this final season.

Farrell also plays in the ECAC, a less competitive division than the one Cofield played for Wisconsin. But Adam Fox, John Marino, and Alex Killorn, among others, also belong in the ECAC, better known as the Ivy League.

That can’t take the credit from Farrell, who was sidelined for nearly four rounds in the draft due to his height, 5-foot-9.

After producing 101 points in 53 USHL games with the Chicago Steel, the second player in the history of this U.S. junior circuit to reach the 100-point mark, one wondered if Farrell was going for his productivity in the NCAA. he did.

Farrell and Caufield share short stature, though the former towers a few inches above the latter. But they are different players. Farrell is not a scorer like Caufield. However, he is still an extraordinary passer-by.

Harvard won the quarterfinal game at the expense of Princeton on Friday, in which Farrell scored two more goals. The Crimson will face Cornell on Friday.

So it will be necessary to wait for the Harvard season before seeing Farrell — who is also a member of the US team at the Olympics and World Championships in 2022 — don a CH uniform. Barring a stunning reversal of the situation, Farrell will sign a contract with the Montreal organization this spring. And it will not be playing in the fourth line …

Unlike Farrell, 2019 second-round pick Jaden Strobel, 21, left defender, saw his season come to an end last weekend at Northeastern.

The Canadian expects to see him join the organization soon despite the abundance of left-wing defenders in Montreal and within the prospective Bank.

Strobel is close to general manager Kent Hughes. He worked as a family counselor before accepting the position in Montreal, and Strobel played for the GM Sons at Northeastern He even lived with Hughes while incarcerated.

But choosing the Canadian could still be a smart choice for him. He will find himself in familiar territory, within a great development team. The organization’s advocates have made giant strides this winter.

We wouldn’t necessarily be battling it out at the gates on August 15th if Strobel gave up on the Canadians, and in the long run the youngster, in Montreal or elsewhere, would have a proper development. But he will need time in the MLS.

We could offer him an NHL contract to allow him to join the Canadiens and spend his first year of agreement more quickly or even sign a pro tryout contract with the MLS to allow him to join the Laval Rocket in the predictive playoffs, if the team qualifies.

The third candidate, Emil Heinemann, also 21, was acquired from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Tyler Toffoli. Heinemann has 15 points in 35 games with Lake Sands in the Swedish Premier League (SHL). Leksands plays a decisive playoff game on Tuesday. Heinman recently dropped from the first line to the fourth.

He could join the Laval Rocket if his team gets wiped out, but given Montreal’s massive number of injuries, we can call him straight to the Bell Center.

Despite impressive progress this winter, 19-year-old defensemen Len Hutson and Adam Engstrom, who were drafted in the second and third rounds in 2022, will be called up to play an extra season in their respective arenas, the NCAA and SHL. Engstrom has 16 points in 43 games with Rogell, Lexandros opponent Tuesday, and Hutson has 44 points in just 34 games at Boston University.

Patrick Kane and Martin St. Louis, same fight?

Patrick Kane is unrecognizable in his new Rangers uniform, with just three points in five games, and often gets to grips with himself, writes columnist Larry Brooks.

But Martin St. Louis scored just one goal in 19 regular season games when he arrived in New York in 2014, before blasting through the playoffs and allowing the Rangers to reach the final, our veteran player reminds daily. New York BossR.

Brooks will welcome Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lavreniere and Kane, with Artemy Panarin, Philippe Chitel and Vladimir Tarasenko on the other forward line.

Coach Gerard Gallant has 16 games left to find the right combinations. New York has won only four of its last ten games.