When the Habs prepared Filip Mesar 26th general in 2022, he wasn’t always the popular option. While numerous hoped the club would prepare Jiri Kulich and even Lane Hutson (ultimately prepared by the Habs at # 62) at that time, the Habs went with a 2nd Slovak in the preliminary.
And with Mesar’s 2022-23 season not constantly simple, the option left a bitter taste in the mouths of numerous for numerous months. Specifically considering that Kulich was extremely strong in the AHL, with 46 points in 62 video games …
In 2023-24, the tide truly appears to have actually turned for Mesar. Back in Kitchener, he’s a huge part of the group’s (unexpected) success, with 36 points in 24 video games. He’s playing some excellent hockey this season, and more than ever, he appears like a guy who might assist the Habs in the long run.
And speaking of his effect in Montreal over the next couple of years, Mesar was on the Recrutes Draftcast with Grant McCagg and Shayne Guimond today, and was asked if he saw himself playing center or wing in the NHL.
His response? He states he’s all set to play center if the club wishes to offer him a possibility, however …
New Episode
Filip Mesar signs up with @grantmccagg & @GaumondShayne to go over:
His profession up until now
#GoHabsGo
Juraj Slafkovsky
The 2022 #NHL draft
& far more!Complete pod
See: https://t.co/bjEnzUIFaq
Listen: https:// t.co/ f3MnSduo0X #thesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/2CggoBlic3— The Sick Podcast– Recrutes Draftcast (@sickpodnhldraft) January 20, 2024
It’s not always that Mesar does not see himself playing center, however that he feels more comfy in a winger function. It’s exercising well for him in Kitchener up until now, and while he does take the periodic face-off and considers himself proficient at it (he believes he’s a guy who can win 50-60% of his battles), he certainly feels more comfy in a winger’s chair.
Well, honestly, I tend to concur with him. I believe we’ll see him take the periodic face-off and perhaps assist at center, however full-time, he’ll be a winger. Generally, at this level, I see him in a “Paul Byron” chair, doing similar thing.
Mesar likewise discussed his season in Kitchener, providing a great deal of credit to the group’s brand-new coach, Jussi Ahokas, for the club’s great project up until now. The Habs possibility likewise kept in mind that Ahokas coached Juraj Slafkovský in Finland in the last few years, so he currently understood a thing or 2 about him.
Mentioning Slaf, who has actually undoubtedly been buddies with Mesar for a very long time, the podcast visitor exposed that his compatriot has actually constantly been the greatest and fattest gamer on the ice for as long as he can keep in mind. And according to Mesar, by the age of 12, Slaf was currently … 6 feet high, triggering Mesar to label him “Dino” (in the dinosaur sense) since.
Here ‘s the link to the complete interview. We want Mesar every success in Kitchener in between now and completion of the season (he’ll be playing along with Eduard Sale, newly obtained from Kitchener, for the remainder of the season) before the Habs’ next camp, where he’ll be wanting to muddy the waters.
The ball remains in his court.
In a gust
— We’ll see what takes place.
Florida’s William Lockwood will have a hearing today for goalie disturbance on Minnesota’s Marc-Andre Fleury.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 20, 2024
— That’s a good method to take a look at it.
Asked Jordan Harris about how the development of Struble and Habs internal competitors has factored into him raising his level.
He stated it has+he’s constantly advised of something his high school coach, Tim Whitehead, stated that stuck to him permanently: “An increasing tide raises all boats.”— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 20, 2024
— Boston’s on the relocation.
Revealing a lower payroll in 2024 didn’t assist. https://t.co/bZifQ8wHnk
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) January 20, 2024