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Nikita Scherbak is an interesting, if not polarizing, figure among Montreal Canadiens prospects. There were doubts about his future during the team’s 2017-18 training camp, where he struggled and was among the early cuts sent down to the AHL to join the Laval Rocket.

However, the right-winger who was selected 26th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, proved many wrong with his strong play for the Rocket, to the tune of seven goals and 23 assists in only 26 games. Scherbak’s 1.15 points per game ranks third in the AHL among players who have participated in 20 or more games, behind teammate Chris Terry (1.17 P/GP) and Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane (1.18 P/GP).

His strong performance earned him a few promotions to the NHL this season, but during his most recent stretch of games Scherbak has started to put things together.

During even-strength play, he’s put up respectable numbers for a rookie, with his shot share at 51 per cent. But his scoring chances and high-danger shot share are even more impressive. During his shifts, the Canadiens have controlled 57.7 per cent of the scoring chances and 58 per cent of the high-danger shots. Scherbak’s even-strength production isn’t quite there yet, but the numbers indicate that the points should come if he continues to make a positive impact on the Canadiens in terms of controlling the play.