Apr 15, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Flynn (32) scores a goal against Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond (30) during the second period in the game one of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens Should Sign Brian Flynn

In the early hours of the trade deadline, Montreal Canadiens‘ general manager Marc Bergevin was busy. Among others, he acquired 6’1″ forward Brian Flynn from the Buffalo Sabres, and it turned out to be a good move.

Flynn came to Montreal from a struggling team, looking to break out and add to the success of an already-top team. He was put on the fourth line and instantly began to show the depth the Habs were seeking.

When the season began and Manny Malhotra was signed, one word was associated with him: face-offs. And indeed, his prowess in the dot is remarkable.

But Flynn, too, brings keen talent as a centre, with an average of 62% in the face-off dot in 9 games played.

Brian Flynn came to play. A grinder, he fit in nicely with the team, and while he finished the regular season with no points, he did make a difference in playoffs.

In 6 post-season games, he came away with 3 points: a goal, and an assist. But not just any goal. In Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators, Flynn broke a tie with a beautiful wrap-around goal, which ended up – at 17:17 of the 2nd period – being the 4-3 game winner.

The Habs are seeking depth on the third and fourth lines. Flynn showed that he had chemistry with players like Torrey Mitchell (another Buffalo teammate brought over to the Habs at the trade deadline) and Lars Eller.

While lines are guaranteed to change next season, with acquisitions and signings, Flynn -who will be a free agent as of July – has already demonstrated that he is a good fit for the Canadiens. And with a current salary of $650,000, the price may be right as well.

While with Buffalo this past season, Brian Flynn posted 17 points (5 goals) in 54 games. On the right team, with the right teammates, this is a player who has tremendous potential to fill out the roster.

One thing the Canadiens need to do in order to generate offense is to roll 4 productive lines. With players like Flynn and Mitchell, we’ve already begun to see that happen with the third and fourth lines. Keeping them on the team should be as much a priority as signing Jeff Petry.

Enjoy Flynn’s beautiful game winner from April: