Michael Pezzetta Faces Major Setback After Signing With the Toronto Maple Leafs

On June 25, 2016, in Buffalo, Marc Bergevin and the Montreal Canadiens management selected forward Michael Pezzetta in the 6th round, 160th overall, in the NHL Draft.

While Pezzetta isn't the flashiest player on the ice, he remains an excellent late-round pick by the Canadiens.

To give you an idea, only four players drafted in the 5th round or later have played 200 or more NHL games to date. Jesper Bratt (162nd overall) leads with 552 games, followed by Brandon Hagel (159th overall) with 375, Michael Eyssimont (142nd overall) with 213, and Michael Pezzetta with 200.

The former Montreal Canadiens left winger was appreciated by the club's fans, but the 2024-25 season was very difficult for him, as he only played 25 games and failed to register a single point.

At 27 years old, Michael Pezzetta is a Toronto native and is fulfilling a childhood dream by joining the Maple Leafs.

Unfortunately for him, he has just received bad news, as the arrival of Dakota Joshua complicates his chances of cracking the lineup, which also includes Steven Lorentz.

According to Daily Faceoff's projected lineup, Pezzetta does not have a spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With Lorentz and Joshua ahead of him, his path to the NHL becomes much tougher, and he may find himself heading to the AHL. His last stint in the minors was with the Laval Rocket during the 2021-22 season.