What I've seen from this small sample of kiddo, is that he's got elite offensive awareness. No doubt. Higher than any of our prospects or our young players.
But going against the grain of this forum for sure, I think he needs to be better 5 on 5. And he will learn that with Laval. Playing for a team that is rebuilding, I would have said : sure, bring him up so that he learns on the fly. Like Ottawa is doing.
But the Habs' brass is definitely not aiming for a tank. In that case, every defensive mistake he will make, he will feel it from everybody. And that is not good for a young pup trying to learn the ropes of a pro life.
I finally watched yesterday's goals. The speed of the game in his zone is too much for him, so much so that he doesn't know where to stand.
Kiddo will be elite in scoring. No doubt. But in an NHL game, he will touch the puck about 90 seconds per game, maybe? The rest of his 15-20 minutes on the ice will be spent elsewhere. And right now, he doesn't seem to know where to hang out when the puck is in his zone.
Laval will be good for him in the long run.
But I know this is not the popular answer on this thread. What can I say?