Montreal Canadiens Must Keep Torrey Mitchell

I stated my opinion on re-signing Brian Flynn with the Montreal Canadiens; now it’s time to make the case for Torrey Mitchell.

Like Flynn, Mitchell came to the Habs at the trade deadline, and both came from the Buffalo Sabres. Having played 51 games in Buffalo, Mitchell had 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists). Averaging 15 minutes TOI, Mitchell immediately showed that he is a good fit in Montreal (where he averaged 10:03).

Even though he got only 1 assist in his 14 games with the Canadiens, Mitchell showed what a powerful player he is. He’s been referred to as “another Dominic Moore” and it’s easy to see why. He’s the same kind of gritty player who elevates his gameplay as the challenge grows.

And despite his slow start, playoffs were a different scenario. In 12 games with the Canadiens in post-season, Mitchell got 5 points – a goal and 4 assists. He definitely came alive during playoffs – perhaps as a chance to demonstrate his value to the team, perhaps just ramping up his game in what could well have been an audition for him to make the team. In my mind, he passed that test handily.

In the first round of playoffs, against the Ottawa Senators, Mitchell was part of a magical 4th line that stepped up to the plate and delivered.

When Game 1 began with an own-goal by Andrei Markov, the second period became a desperate frame. The Habs, in front of the home crowd, one goal down with no one else to blame, knew they had to at least even the score, and soon.

A beautiful wrap-around by Torrey Mitchell did just that. It not only changed the mood, it changed the momentum; Mitchell opened the floodgates and 15 seconds later, Tomas Plekanec scored the go-ahead goal.

Mitchell grew up in Greenfield Park, on the South Shore of Montreal, and that night, his whole family was in the stands to celebrate his first goal as a Montreal Canadiens player. It certainly carried over to the rest of playoffs. Two nights later, he would walk away with 2 assists, and began to lead the Habs in points post-season.

Torrey Mitchell has already stated that he would like to remain in the bleu-blanc-rouge:

The good news is, Marc Bergevin did as well:

"We'd like to bring Torrey Mitchell back, if we can. Everything will depend on working within the salary cap." – Marc Bergevin #GoHabsGo — Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 15, 2015

A UFA by summer, Mitchell’s 3-year contract hit $5,700,000. I would definitely like to see the team work something out with him; with a full season to show his strengths, already gelled as a member of the team, Torrey Mitchell can continue to be an asset to the Canadiens.

(Watch Torrey Mitchell’s incredible goal against Ottawa:)