Making a move
Size, experience attractive for Islanders in deal for Melançon
“I think we’ll all be happy to flip the calendar to December . . . better days lie ahead.” Jim Hulton Islanders head coach and general manager
Reinforcements are on the way.
The Charlottetown Islanders have acquired 18-year-old MaxAntoine Melançon from the Shawinigan Cataractes for Acadie-Bathurst’s sixthround pick in 2020, which was previously acquired. He is a six-foot-three, 198-pound left-winger.
“We just felt, from an affiliate standpoint, he’s more game-ready to step in and help,” Islanders head coach and general manager Jim Hulton said Wednesday.
“(We’re) running out of bodies and don't want the lineup to get any younger,” he added. “Ben Boyd has been great for us, but if you go too young, I don't think it helps the development.”
The deal comes a day after the Isles lost Cedric Desruisseaux with a shoulder injury sustained in Tuesday’s loss in Rimouski, Que. He could miss a week to 10 days or upwards of four weeks.
It comes as the Islanders are already without forwards Nikita Alexandrov and Keiran Gallant, plus defenceman Lukas Cormier.
“I think we’ll all be happy to flip the calendar to December,” Hulton said, “better days lie ahead.”
Melançon was selected by the Cataractes in the fourth round (73rd overall) of the 2017 draft. He had three goals and three assists in his 22-game rookie season before recording five goals and eight assists in 46 games last season.
The Drummondville, Que., native has been playing junior A for the Princeville Titans in Quebec this season. He has 23 points in 24 games.
He is flying to Charlottetown today, will play Friday against the Val-d’Or Foreurs and is expected to remain with the team through to the Christmas break.
With the deal occurring outside the league’s trade window, Melançon can only play nine games before the trade period. The Islanders have eight games before the Dec. 15 trade period beginning.
Hulton said he has had conversations with Cataractes general manager Martin Mondou for a few weeks given the Isles injury situation and knowing what lies ahead.
Gaetan Jobin is playing this weekend and then heading home for Switzerland’s world junior camp while Alexandrov could get an invite to Russia’s camp.
Alexandrov and Cormier go to the doctor today to get an update on their lowerbody injuries. Cormier and Alexandrov have been off the ice for six and four weeks, respectively.
“To expect them to play right away is probably not realistic,” Hulton said.
Captain Brendon Clavelle was sick and didn’t make the Quebec road trip but is expected to play this weekend. Montague native Zac Arsenault played for the Islanders during the trip but has rejoined the Grand Falls Rapids of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
“He was great for us,” Hulton said. “It was definitely nice to get him into the lineup. He played a lot and really contributed.”