Canadiens Add Another Promising Piece With Vinzenz Rohrer Signing

But it was on the international stage that Rohrer truly made noise. Representing Austria at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, he put up four goals and two assists in eight games, playing a key role in Austria’s surprising run to the quarterfinals. His performance, highlighted by relentless effort and timely scoring, confirmed that he can elevate his game when the stakes are high.

What Rohrer Could Become

Rohrer is not the flashiest prospect in Montreal’s pipeline, but his ceiling shouldn’t be underestimated.

He plays the game at a high pace and brings an incredible motor shift after shift. Whether it’s forechecking hard or creating turnovers, Rohrer’s value comes from doing the little things right, the kind that coaches trust when the games matter most. He has good hands, underrated vision, and the IQ to make plays under pressure. While he’s not likely to become a top-six offensive force, he has the tools to fill a bottom-six NHL role down the line, with energy, speed, and responsible play being his calling cards.

At just 20 years old, Rohrer still has plenty of room to grow. Physically, he’s still maturing, and another season in a structured pro environment will only help. Importantly, his drive never dips, he’s the kind of player who’s impossible to wear down and always finds a way to impact the game.

A Smart Contract

What makes this deal even more sensible for the Canadiens is the flexibility it allows. If Rohrer doesn’t make the NHL roster out of camp in 2025-26, which is the most likely scenario, he’ll return to Zurich for another season in the Swiss League. That’s not a setback, but rather a calculated step in his development.

Zurich is once again expected to contend for a championship, and Rohrer will have the opportunity to log meaningful minutes in a winning environment, exactly what a young player needs. Instead of being a depth piece with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Laval Rocket, where opportunities are limited and even a first-rounder like Filip Mesar struggled to stay in the lineup during the playoffs, Rohrer can continue playing top-nine minutes in a league known for strong systems and veteran talent.

That’s a win for everyone. Montreal gets to retain his rights and monitor his growth in a familiar setting, while Rohrer gets to compete for a third straight title with Zurich. The organization also doesn’t force him into a logjam where ice time could stunt his progression.

The Canadiens have done this before with other European prospects, allowing them to develop overseas until a real opportunity arises. And while Rohrer may still be a couple of years away from pushing for a full-time NHL role, his trajectory is trending in the right direction. Signing him now shows the Canadiens are invested in his future and ready to give him a chance when the time is right.

He’s proven he can thrive in a pro setting, he’s shown up on the international stage, and he continues to grow as a player. Whether his future lies on the Canadiens’ third or fourth line, on the penalty kill, or simply as a reliable energy piece, Rohrer brings qualities every NHL team needs to win.

Signing him now, with a clear fallback option in Zurich, is just good business and good development. It’s a smart move for the Canadiens and a well-earned reward for a player who’s always given more than expected.