On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
There was a time, not long ago, when Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta’s efforts on the ice earned him the respect and admiration of the Bell Centre patrons. He’s a grinder, a tough customer, the sort of fourth liner that can give their team a good shift by way of sending some physical messages and grinding it out. That hasn’t happened for a while. Why? Because Pezzetta hasn’t played in a while. Why? That’s the tricky part. Let’s discuss.
Toronto-Bred, Montreal Made
Born and bred in Toronto, one supposes there is some irony to the fact his entry into the NHL would be through that city’s long-time rival, the Canadiens. It’s also easy to forget that he was drafted some time ago, way back in 2016. Montreal selected him 160th overall. He wasn’t a top priority, but sometimes there are diamonds in the rough in those latter draft rounds. Or in Pezzetta’s case, rough diamonds.
He spent his youth in Ontario, most notably with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) when he was a teenager. Moreover, he remained with that organization even after Montreal came calling, playing for the Wolves for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns as a 19 and 20-year-old.
The shift to the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Laval Rocket only happened in 2018-19 when he signed an entry-level contract with the Habs. His debut in the big leagues wouldn’t happen until November 2021, just a few months after Montreal’s Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final. He logged 8:45 of ice time in a 3-0 home win over the Detroit Red Wings. The stats sheet didn’t show much, but he did register a pair of shots.
From that point onward, the gritty forward was a semi-regular fixture in the lineup. In 2021-22 he dressed for 51 games (remember, as of one month into that season’s calendar), then 63 in 2022-23, and most recently 61 in 2023-24. Fourth liners don’t get much of the spotlight. Case in point, his season average ice times have fluctuated between 9:19 (2022-23) and as low as 7:47 (2023-24). He’s not a goal scorer either, tallying five, seven, and three goals in the respective campaigns.
All that said, he displayed toughness on a roster that sorely lacked said ingredient; he had 81 penalty minutes in his first season, 77 in his sophomore campaign, and 59 last season. He’s the kind of player who will deliver a stunning body blow and engage in fisticuffs two seconds later. He’s a “Come at me, bro!” player.
Pezzetta Missing in Action This Season
And yet the 26-year-old has been entirely missing in action since late October. To that point, he’s only suited up three times, all in a very short span. He was combined with Christian Dvorak and Emil Heineman on the bottom line for the Oct. 22 contest at home to the New York Rangers, the Oct. 26 home date with the St. Louis Blues, and an Oct. 27 game away to the Philadelphia Flyers. He did not have a ton of game time in any, although he did crack 10 minutes when battling the Flyers (10:45).
Since then, he’s practically been a ghost. The only times the public or the media has witnessed his presence has been during practice skates and media pressers following said training sessions. Pezzetta himself has been quiet, not displaying any discontent publicly, at least. If anything, he’s putting on a positive façade, as evidenced by his attempt at being a scrum reporter on Dec. 11 with Kaiden Guhle.
It’s a very funny moment, but ironically speaks to the underlying truth of his situation. Since he’s not playing – at all – he might as well give it a go at another profession. The current streak of healthy scratches stands at 22 games.
The added irony to all of this is that he signed a two-year extension before the 2023-24 season. Granted, he’s not costing the team much at only $812,500 a year. What’s more, he’ll be an unrestricted free (UFA) agent next summer. It’s practically a case of “out of sight, out of mind.”
Trade, Let Walk Away, or Play
On the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, co-hosts Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas talked about a completely different team but on a subject could apply to the Canadiens. At around the 19-minute mark, they chat about the Vancouver Canucks’ current roster situation and how, when a club has too many options, some players can grow unhappy as the outsiders looking in.
As we wrote in the previous section, Pezzetta has not expressed any obvious frustrations. This is to his credit and reminds us of his professionalism. He’s still there at the practice facility. But other than that, he must be wondering what on earth happened to his time in Montreal.
Furthermore, the author isn’t going to pretend they’re a genius by coming up with this topic. Other publications are also wondering what is happening.
So what do head coach Martin St. Louis and general manager Kent Hughes do?
Truth be told, Montreal isn’t nearly as soft as they were a few seasons ago. Arber Xhekaj quickly comes to the defence of his teammates. Josh Anderson has some spunk to him, and so does Jayden Struble. Juraj Slafkovsky, despite being sold as a highly-skilled attacker, doesn’t suffer fools lightly. Everyone knows the grit Brendan Gallagher brings to the ice every night.
If Pezzetta’s perfect role is as the grinder who rises to the occasion when his mates need him but doesn’t nearly have the offensive touch those other players possess, his absence is understandable from a certain point of view.
On the flip side, given the Canadiens’ relative problems this season, having him in the lineup can’t possibly hurt either. If they aren’t winning many games, at least demonstrate that they can’t be pushed around.
But even that philosophy runs into some issues. Obviously, he’s never going to be in the top six. The question, therefore, is: where in the bottom six does he play? Does St. Louis take Heineman out for some games just to give Pezzetta some ice time? It’s an option, not necessarily a ridiculous one, but not a brilliant one since, of the two, the club is arguably more keen on developing Heineman than being nice to Pezzetta for the sake of it.
The argument to sit Anderson would have flown a short while ago, but lo and behold he’s started scoring again, tallying goals in two consecutive games: Dec. 14 versus the Winnipeg Jets and Dec. 17 against the Buffalo Sabres.
Does one try him on the right and rest Joel Armia, the player Finland just selected for its 4 Nations Face-Off roster? That would look just as silly.
This is one of those cases where one feels bad for the player concerned, but the solution, as far as lineup inclusion is concerned, isn’t nearly as simple as one might think. There may be a solution, but there is no: “Oh, obviously they need to do X. Easy-peasy.” Otherwise, the club would have done it. Somebody might get injured, or one of the aforementioned players suffers a bad slump. But those rest on maybes.
The best thing is to shop him around. He doesn’t cost much and is exactly the sort of player a playoff hopeful in need of extra backbone could use. Do right by him. Don’t let him waste a season when he’s healthy and only 26 years old, 27 next March. Players don’t like sitting. No one will expect a glorious bounty in return, but if the Canadiens can mid-level draft capital, great.
Whatever the outcome, Pezzetta is a character on the ice and in the dressing room. Any team, Montreal included, should be glad to have him. Unfortunately, sometimes the circumstances work against a player, and they may be doing just that in this instance.
More must-reads:
- Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb sends strong message after tempers flare at training camp
- Commanders' Jayden Daniels discusses Terry McLaurin's holdout amid contract dispute
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
Maple Leafs New Forward Shares Touching Reason for Number Choice
Dakota Joshua is in for a major change of scenery this season, having been traded from the Vanoucver Canucks to the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this month. However, that's not the biggest change in his life over the past year, nor is it even close. Last year, Joshua, 29, was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had to undergo surgery in September. He was thankfully able to return to action in November, but his play took a noticeable hit as he only scored seven goals and 14 points in 57 games, a stark contrast from when he scored 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games the year before. “For sure it puts your life in perspective,” Joshua told the Toronto Sun. “The biggest takeaway is that anything can happen to you, so make the most of (life). But after coming out the other side, I’m stronger as a person. It makes you confident you can get through anything.” In coming to Toronto, however, Joshua has the chance to honor someone with a similar story. The Dearborn, Mich., native revealed that he will keep his No. 81 jersey with the Maple Leafs, being the first player to wear the number since Phil Kessel's departure in 2015. Kessel, who spent six years with the Maple Leafs, dealt with testicular cancer as a rookie with the Boston Bruins in 2006-07. “I love the mojo there,” Joshua said. “I knew his story and looking forward to playing a long time here like Kessel did.” Kessel, 37, has not played the past two seasons, and his NHL career is likely over. However, he won three Stanley Cups - two with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017 and one with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 - so he leaves a heck of a legacy behind. Additionally, coming to Toronto is a full-circle moment for Joshua. He was actually drafted by the Maple Leafs way back in 2014, but didn't appear in a game for the club and was traded to the St. Louis Blues for future consideration in 2019. He finally broke into the league with St. Louis, became a regular with Vancouver and now returns back to his first NHL home. “Being drafted by the Leafs was very special, a big moment in my career. It didn’t work out, a mix of not being the right fit and a better opportunity with the Blues." “But I had fun at Toronto’s camps and coming here today (to the Ford Centre practice facility) it was a little familiar to me.”
5 Commanders oozing superstar swagger on strong Day 1 of camp
Football is back, and the Washington Commanders are embarking on their most crucial part of preparations for the 2025 campaign at training camp. Excitement hasn't been higher where the Commanders are concerned, at least for the last two decades if not more. Dan Quinn led his team on a truly remarkable run to the NFC Championship game last time around. But for this incredible early success to be sustained, everyone must turn the page accordingly. Looking at the mentality in the locker room, there's nothing for fans to worry about on that front. There is a strong will to win and go one better. Every player, whether they're an established franchise cornerstone or an undrafted rookie looking to make their way, is on the same page. And they will have no problem calling out their teammates if standards are slipping. Terry McLaurin's absence as he awaits a new contract was the only lingering cloud hanging over the franchise. The wide receiver is taking a stand, and the Commanders haven't budged as yet. But given the player's professionalism and team-first mindset, he'll be ready to hit the ground running upon rejoining his teammates. Until then, others will be tasked with picking up the slack. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on Day 1 of training camp. Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on strong Day 1 of camp Von Miller - Commanders DE/OLB Fans were pleading for general manager Adam Peters to sign another edge rusher before the season. They were starting to panic, but those in power always had one primary option in mind. The Washington Commanders signed future Pro Football Hall of Fame pass-rusher Von Miller on a one-year deal. He's firmly in the tail-end of his career, and the former No. 2 pick out of Texas A M is far from the force of old, but there's a growing sense he can make an impact for Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive front, albeit in the short term. Miller, who is wearing No. 24 in Washington to honor close friend Champ Bailey and the late Kobe Bryant, left a positive impression on Day 1. There is a natural aura about the player that others naturally gravitate towards. And given the accomplishments he's accumulated throughout a glittering career, the respect he commanded was instant. The Commanders won't task Miller with too much. Dan Quinn and his staff know he'll be ready when the time comes, so they can take things slowly and keep complications to a minimum. However, there was enough to suggest he can impact proceedings in some capacity. Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR All eyes were on wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to begin training camp. There is no Terry McLaurin around as yet, so the recent trade acquisition from the San Francisco 49ers moved into the No. 1 spot until further notice. Samuel's heard all the criticism coming his way this offseason. Accusations of being overweight and out of shape were rife from analysts and former pros. The former second-round pick stayed grinding, working hard away from the team in pursuit of hitting the ground running at training camp. The dedication is already reaping rewards. Samuel looked lean and sharp to kick off camp. And it didn't take long for his developing chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels to turn heads. On Daniels' first pass of scrimmages, he made a statement. Tyler Owens, who was getting first-team reps in the nickel, had pretty good coverage on Samuel. The throw was good, the route was good, and the catch was clinical. This represents a small glimpse of what Samuel can bring to the Washington Commanders. The Niners might have given up on the wideout, but general manager Adam Peters was confident that there was still a lot of good football left. And the South Carolina product is doing everything possible to repay this faith. So far, so good. Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB The Commanders' cornerback room is expected to become an area of strength if everyone meets expectations and, more importantly, stays healthy. One player has gotten lost in the shuffle somewhat, but Noah Igbinoghene was quick to remind people why general manager Adam Peters gave him another one-year deal this offseason. Igbinoghene is coming off the best campaign of his professional career in 2024. It wasn't perfect, but there were glimpses of why the Miami Dolphins took him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. And it's also worth remembering that he's still just 25 years old entering his sixth season. Washington drafted Trey Amos in the second round. They signed free-agent Jonathan Jones. Mike Sainristil is a superstar in waiting, and Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore looks explosive after finally getting over his frustrating hamstring issue. That will make it more difficult for Igbinoghene, but his impressive start on Day 1 of training camp indicates he won't be going down without a fight. The former Auburn standout looked assured, forcing an outstanding incompletion with tight coverage on rookie wideout Jaylin Lane. There's no way Igbinoghene isn't going to make the squad, but stronger efforts like this could see him retain his place as a key part of the rotation, too. Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB There is an enormous sense of intrigue around Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The seventh-round running back made an impressive start to the Washington Commanders' offseason program. He wasted no time in making a similar impact when training camp commenced. Croskey-Merritt plays with a chip on his shoulder. The NCAA revoked his eligibility one game into his transfer to Arizona, which saw his draft stock plummet. He had to wait until the No. 245 pick before the Commanders came calling, but the rookie isn't carrying himself like a roster bubble candidate. One cannot help but be impressed by the way Croskey-Merritt goes about his business. There is urgency to everything he does, and this came across once again on Day 1. The backfield threat set the tone early by exploding for a touchdown. Croskey-Merritt also displayed his athletic elusiveness by juking away from safety Ben Nikkel for another big gain later on. This is a positive start from Croskey-Merritt. In all honesty, nobody should have expected anything less. Croskey-Merritt is not coming to settle for a secondary role. He aims to make an immediate impact on the offensive rotation and make a lasting contribution in whatever role is assigned by the coaching staff. Preseason and joint practices will provide more insight, but the trajectory is pointing upward. Ja'Corey Brooks - Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is officially holding out on the reserve/did not report list until his new contract extension gets resolved. The wide receiver is in the area and will be ready to go immediately after some middle ground is reached. Until then, other wide receivers are getting a chance to stake their respective claims. Not many are anticipating a long holdout. McLaurin is too pivotal to the team's plans for that, so those further down the pecking order must take advantage of increased role until the alpha dog gets back into the fold. The significance wasn't lost on Ja'Corey Brooks. He's looking to surge into roster consideration after going undrafted out of Louisville. A poor 40-yard dash time hurt his stock enough for teams to look the other way. However, the Commanders believe he can become a rough diamond with the correct coaching throughout the summer. Brooks was among the standout performers on Day 1 of training camp. He was an extremely difficult cover for opposing defensive backs during scrimmages, displaying his solid blend of athleticism, body control, and ball skills to full effect. The first-year pro was rewarded with two touchdowns — one from Jayden Daniels and another from Marcus Mariota. If Brooks keeps this up, he's got a fighting chance. More Commanders news and analysis
Tua Tagovailoa addresses relationship with Tyreek Hill after controversial comments
Shortly after Miami Dolphins players reported for training camp on Tuesday, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill suggested he wants to be "better as a leader" after he controversially subbed himself out of Miami's regular-season finale this past January and then told reporters he was "out." While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa addressed the Hill-sized elephant in the room. "I think there’s a lot more vulnerability with Tyreek," Tagovailoa explained, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "He’s conversating a lot more with the guys, not just about football, but about things off the field, being vulnerable about some of the things people know about his personal life and things of that nature. I think that’s the first step toward him building true relationships and a real connection with a lot of the guys in there." Following Hill's "out" comment, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier revealed that the 31-year-old speedster never requested a trade. While publicly apologizing to his teammates during a Super Bowl week interview, Hill directly said that Tagovailoa is his "guy." Hill also insisted at the time that he loves Tagovailoa. "Everybody makes mistakes," Tagovailoa added about Hill. "It’s just, some people, they’re in the spotlight, and their deals get pushed out more than some others. So you’ve just got to cut him some grace. That’s our teammate. We love him, but as a person, I think if you get to know him, you’ll love him too." Hill and Tagovailoa likely will need to be on the same page if they want to prevent the Dolphins from going through a franchise reset next offseason. At least head coach Mike McDaniel is reportedly on the hot seat this summer, while Tagovailoa's status beyond the upcoming campaign is up in the air after he suffered a third reported concussion since the fall of 2022 last season. "You guys aren’t the only people that heard that," Tagovailoa said about Hill's "out" statement. "...So when you say something like that, you don’t just come back from that with, 'Hey, my bad.' You’ve got to work that relationship up. You’ve got to build everything up again. It’s still a work in progress, not just for me but for everybody. But like I said, he’s working on himself, he’s working on the things he says he wants to get better with and do better on. So that’s the first step to me, so I commend him for doing that." As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 2024 Dolphins at -275 betting odds to miss the playoffs. Those who believe the relationship between Tagovailoa and Hill is on shaky ground following Wednesday's developments may want to take a flier on such a wager before the odds change later this year.
Penn State QB Drew Allar gets candid about team's struggles against top opponents
It is no secret that Penn State has struggled to win big games under head coach James Franklin. While the Nittany Lions have finished with double-digit wins in six of the past nine seasons, including a 13-3 season in 2024 that culminated with a loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals, they have struggled to beat quality opponents. Quarterback Drew Allar, who enters the 2025 season with the fifth-shortest odds (+1600) to win the Heisman Trophy, per FanDuel, was honest about Penn State's lack of success during his appearance at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday. "We definitely need to get over the hump," Allar said, per ESPN's Jake Trotter. "There's no question about it." Penn State is only 4-20 against top-10 opponents under Franklin, although the three losses last season were all by one score. Allar is 23-6 as a starter, but threw a costly interception against Notre Dame that ultimately led to the game-winning field goal from the Fighting Irish. With experience on its side and lofty expectations entering the season as the No. 1-ranked team in ESPN's offseason poll, Allar pointed to better execution as a key to Penn State's success. "We definitely need to find different ways to come out with different results in those games," Allar said. "We haven't really been blown out of the water by any team. ... it's just about execution. ... finding those areas to make one or two more plays throughout those games. ... That's going to be our focus." One key for Penn State is the return of its two leading rushers from last season, Kaytron Allen (1,108 yards) and Nicholas Singleton (1,099 yards), who combined for 20 TDs. That experience, along with Allar's improved accuracy (66.5%) and career-high 3,327 passing yards from 2024, gives the Nittany Lions a lot of upside going into 2025. Allar did have an uptick in interceptions (eight) and was sacked 19 times last season, which are two concerning areas, especially against top-ranked opponents. That must improve for Penn State to reverse course and finally win meaningful games. For now, the focus is on its lack of success in those games under Franklin. If Penn State can execute and not beat itself, perhaps one of those games will eventually go its way. Until then, it will face the same questions as it looks to put its past struggles in big games behind it.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
