One of the prolific star has finalized his entry-level contract (ELC) with the Montreal Canadiens following a commendable season of personal career growth with the AHL’s Laval Rocket. His performance in the 2023-24 season, where he played 38 games, notching 11 goals and five assists, marks a solid start to his professional journey.
Prior to this, during his final two seasons with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, Davidson showcased NHL potential as a center, tallying 42 goals and 47 assists in 64 games in 2021-22, followed by 38 goals and 44 assists in 60 games in 2022-23. Moreover, he demonstrated leadership qualities by wearing the ‘A’ in his final junior season with Seattle, alongside his impressive offensive output.
With hopes pinned on his continued development over the next two seasons under this contract, both Davidson and the Canadiens organization anticipate his evolution into a reliable NHL player.
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, the Canadiens find themselves navigating a transitional phase, balancing their rebuild with aspirations of becoming perennial playoff contenders. While their defensive roster boasts promising talents like Kaiden Guhle, Jayden Struble, and Lane Hutson, capable of filling crucial roles in the top six to eight positions, the team faces challenges in bolstering their forward lineup. Similar dilemmas are observed in other non-playoff teams, exemplified by the Ottawa Senators.
The Canadiens, like many playoff teams, require a middle-six player—a proficient checker and NHL veteran—who may not necessarily excel in scoring but brings resilience, adeptness in puck battles, and defensive responsibility. Such a player would significantly enhance the Canadiens’ forward unit, a role that General Manager Kent Hughes hopes Davidson can mature into. Furthermore, the Canadiens are expected to further reinforce their forward lineup in the upcoming draft.
In the context of the 2024-25 season, the return of a healthy Kirby Dach would be instrumental across the lineup, allowing players like Alex Newhook to focus on offensive contributions. Davidson, on the other hand, is seen as needing additional time to refine his skills under the guidance of recently extended Head Coach Jean-Francois Houle with the Laval Rocket.
Hence, the two-year contract extension provides a platform for Davidson to progress within the organization.
The signing of Jared Davidson to an entry-level contract is a strategic move by General Manager Kent Hughes to address the Canadiens’ need for depth in their forward lineup. Despite possessing a strong young core of forwards, the organization lacked depth, making Davidson’s signing crucial, especially with ambitions of vying for the Eastern Conference Wild Card playoff berth in the upcoming season.
