Canadiens Quick Hits: Davidson and McKown Signings Add Depth

One of the interesting things about building an NHL organization is that not every move is about finding the next superstar. Sometimes, the small moves tell you just as much about what a team is trying to build. That is what makes these two Canadiens signings worth noticing.

Montreal added forward depth by bringing back Jared Davidson on a one-year, two-way contract and signing Hunter McKown to a similar deal. Neither move is going to dominate headlines, and neither player is being brought in to solve a major problem at the NHL level.

Good organizations need players who can push from underneath. They need competition. They need prospects and young professionals who are close enough to the NHL to step in when injuries occur. The Canadiens are still building, and these are the kinds of moves that help create a healthier organization from top to bottom.

Quick Hit One: Jared Davidson Signs One-Year, Two-Way Contract.

Jared Davidson is becoming an interesting depth piece for the Canadiens. Last season with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, Davidson had a strong offensive year, scoring 16 goals and 25 points in 53 regular-season games. He also received a brief NHL opportunity, appearing in 10 games with Montreal and recording one assist, nine shots on goal, and 18 hits.

The numbers suggest a player who is still trying to find his NHL identity. Davidson has shown he can produce in the American Hockey League, but now the challenge is turning that consistency into an NHL opportunity. The Canadiens need players like Davidson.

Montreal has done a good job developing young talent, and Laval has become an important part of that process. Players do not all arrive in the NHL at the same speed. Some need extra time, extra responsibility, and extra confidence. Davidson gives the Canadiens another player who can compete for a call-up spot. He also adds internal competition, which is something every rebuilding team needs. The best organizations are not just built through first-round picks. They are built by identifying players who continue to improve.

Quick Hit Two: Hunter McKown Signs One-Year, Two-Way Contract.

Hunter McKown is another depth addition who will have a chance to earn his way up the organization. Montreal acquired McKown from the Columbus Blue Jackets late in June, and he quickly signed with his new team. Last season with AHL Cleveland, McKown played 63 games, recording nine goals and 25 points.

He is still developing, but the Canadiens clearly saw something they liked when they made the trade. This is another example of Montreal adding competition to its system. McKown is not being handed an NHL job. He will have to earn opportunities, likely starting with Laval. But that is exactly how development should work.

The Canadiens are building a deeper organization where players have to push each other every day. Davidson and McKown may not be household names today, but these are the types of signings that create NHL depth tomorrow. And sometimes, those are the moves that end up mattering more than people expect.