Things change quickly in the hockey world. Similar to Arber Xhekaj's situation, Nicolas Deslauriers was perceived as a key player last year, and this year, it's the opposite.
Indeed, the forward played every game, was feared by other teams, and was very useful to his team. This season, he regularly warms the press box.
Deslauriers has played in 45 of his team's 52 games, and there's no indication that he will become a regular again soon. When a head coach chooses to use 11 forwards and seven defensemen when he has 12 healthy forwards, it speaks volumes.
Deslauriers has only three assists and 53 penalty minutes this season, well below his usual standards. With the Canadiens, he had a season of 10 goals in 58 games. Could he benefit from a fresh start to give a second wind to his career?
