The Predators have known as up left winger Zachary L’Heureux from AHL Milwaukee, and line rushes point out he’ll make his NHL debut Tuesday in opposition to the Bruins, per 102.5 The Game’s Nick Kieser. Alex Daugherty of the Tennessean was first to report the move, which doesn’t require a corresponding transaction with an open spot on the Preds’ 23-man roster.
L’Heureux, 21, was the twenty seventh total decide in 2021. Most describe the 5’11”, 196-lb ahead as an agitator, which could be a contender for hockey’s understatement of the yr award. The Montreal native’s video games performed totals throughout his time in juniors with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats and Halifax Mooseheads persistently remained low as a consequence of a number of prolonged suspensions, and he wound up posting a whopping 197 PIMs in 66 video games with Milwaukee final yr in his first skilled season.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t take away from the authentic upside in L’Heureux’s offensive sport. After a 19-goal, 48-point common season, L’Heureux led the AHL postseason in objectives with 10 in 15 video games because the Admirals misplaced the Western Convention Closing to Coachella Valley. He additionally led all rookies in total scoring with 15 factors.
He was a authentic scoring risk in juniors, totaling 190 factors in 167 profession QMJHL video games. In February of this yr, The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler ranked L’Heureux sixth in Nashville’s prospect pool. He’s not cracking many league-wide high 75 or high 100 rankings, however he nonetheless carries nice upside. He could possibly be legitimately impactful in a fourth-line situation long-term, even when his offensive sport by no means pops on the NHL degree.
L’Heureux is anticipated to go well with up on a line with Michael McCarron and Cole Smith because the Preds look to document their first win of the season and make progress in getting out of a 0-5-0 gap.