Vinzenz Rohrer signs his entry-level contract with the Canadiens

So now we have to ask what all this means for the forward, who turns 21 next season. We know he’ll be at Habs training camp in the fall… but that doesn’t mean he’ll be playing in America next season.

He probably has an escape clause in his contract… and according to his team in Switzerland, the forward will return to Europe if he doesn’t make the team next year.

Basically, Rohrer’s situation is quite similar to Oliver Kapanen’s this season: the Austrian is still under contract in Europe for next year, so we’re unlikely to see him as a regular in Laval this year. If he plays in America, it’ll be because he’s made the big club… or if he joins the Rocket after his season in Europe.

But clearly, he’s impressed the Habs enough to earn himself an entry-level contract. I can’t imagine a world in which he’ll be in the Montreal lineup for the first game of the season… but a year ago, I would have said the same thing about Kapanen.

Extension

Let’s not forget that Rohrer had a good time at the Worlds last month. He collected four goals and six points in eight games, establishing himself as one of Austria’s best players.

And of course, one wonders if this had any impact on the Habs’ decision to offer him an entry-level contract.