Vinzenz Rohrer Re-Assigned To The Laval Rocket

Despite his struggles overseas this season, Rohrer has a chance to turn things around with the Laval Rocket, as his contract with the Lions is officially over, meaning that he will be with the Rocket to develop his game permanently. As seen during training camp at the beginning of the year, Rohrer’s best asset is his breakout speed that allows him to gain easy separation that leads to breakaways. His game has always stood out more on the smaller ice surfaces that are used in North America as opposed to the Olympic-sized rinks in Europe. While his speed definitely still helped him gain somewhat of an edge over in Switzerland, it seemed like he was a very snakebitten player this year and couldn’t find his way like his two previous years, but that doesn’t mean he can’t find it over in Laval, where he may play a key role on the penalty kill as a speedster that can create shorthanded offence.

On top of his high-end speed, Rohrer also brings a great motor and great work ethic that could eventually lead him to becoming a good bottom-six forward and penalty killer down the line. According to Marco D’Amico of RG Media, Rohrer brings a style of play that could be considered a fusion of both Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher. The speed is obviously the part that is related to Byron, who was one of the fastest players in the game during his prime, which led him to score 20 goals on a couple occasions with the Habs as a bottom-six forward. Meanwhile, the fact that his motor is compared to Gallagher’s is a huge compliment to his game, as it could mean that he has the ability to take over that energy role at the NHL level that the Habs will surely miss once Gallagher retires in the very near future.

Rohrer may not be the most skilled player, but he clearly has promise as both a potential speedy bottom-six forward that can defend by intercepting passes and break out up the ice with his speed. In fact, we have already seen his speed and penalty kill abilities take over on the international level at last year’s World Championships, as he was tied with Detroit Red Wings forward Marco Kasper on Austria with 4 goals in 8 games at the tournament. He created a lot of offence by stripping defenders of the puck and going in on breakaways on multiple occasions. As a result, this helped lead him to getting his entry-level contract, similarly to Habs forward Oliver Kapanen the year before.

Rohrer will need another year or two of development, but he has the intangibles to one day make it as a successful NHL player in a penalty killing and bottom-six role.

According to Vincent Demuy, the voice of the Laval Rocket on Sick Media’s game broadcasts, Rohrer is expected to be at practice on Friday and play in the playoffs to give the Rocket more depth for hopefully another long post-season run.

What are your thoughts on Rohrer being reassigned to the Rocket?