With Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty set to return this weekend, there’s a very good chance either Mike Blunden or Louis Leblanc will be sent down to the Hamilton Bulldogs as a result. It should be Blunden.
No disrespect to the former second-rounder—yes, Blunden was chosen in the second round of the 2005 draft. Leblanc just has more to offer. A former first-round pick (2009), he just has more offensive upside.
Yes, every player has a role to play, and that of the 6’3”, 209-pound Blunden is on the fourth line, where any open spot in the lineup would be. However, as Leblanc evidenced during his first long-term stint with the Habs, he’s capable of playing bottom-six minutes and not looking out of place.
Averaging just 11:11 of ice time back in 2011-12, Leblanc accumulated five goals and five assists in 42 games. Those aren’t stellar numbers, but, taking into account the bottom-six role he was playing, no one can deny he was contributing.
It’s admittedly a bit of a different situation now, even though he’s in much the same position in the lineup.
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Article written by Ryan Szporer
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