Last year, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard was one of the Canadiens’ biggest stories. The young forward came to town midway through the season and, in 34 NHL games, scored no less than 14 goals.
He had impressed so much that he scratched a few points on the ballot for NHL All-Rookie teams last year. He was far from being one of the winners, but it was recognition nonetheless.
That said, we suspected that his 0.41 goals per game would be hard to replicate. He’s capable of hitting the target, but it was rather unlikely that he’d have a 30+ goal season (he was on a pace of nearly 34 goals over 82 games last year) in 2023-24.
And so far, he has yet to score a goal in nine games this season. He has amassed four assists, but clearly a goal would be good for him, as he openly admits he’s not necessarily playing with confidence this season.
That’swhat he told Arpon Basu.
On confidence and how it can manifest itself in a field hockey game, through the words and actions of Rafaël Harvey-Pinard: https://t.co/N4j5B5e15c
– Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) November 1, 2023
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Nick Suzuki, who’s been there recently (it took him a while to score his first goal of the campaign, too), also sees a lack of confidence in RHP, but he recognizes that this can change quickly. In fact, even against the Golden Knights, he saw positive signs that the tide could turn at any moment.
The Quebecer knows that he must avoid rushing the game and that he must keep things simple… and he’s not losing hope that he’ll get there eventually.
Because in reality, even if we knew he probably wouldn’t reproduce last year’s goal-scoring pace, he’s capable of doing better than a mere four assists in nine games, especially when paired with Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
The “real” Harvey-Pinard is probably somewhere between the one we saw last year and the one we’re seeing this season.
The good news is that the Quebecer recognizes what’s going on right now and knows what he needs to fix to get back on track.
We can only hope that his confidence will return as soon as possible.
In bursts
– Speaking of players still looking for their first goal of the season.
Still looking for a first goal doesn’t piss off Josh Anderson | JDM https://t.co/rUVB7LszaV
– Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) November 1, 2023
– This trio needs to get going fast.
From Arizona, where Alex Newhook, Josh Anderson and Juraj Slafkovsky are hoping to break out against the Coyotes Thursday. On what they need to focus on to make it happen https://t.co/FZPBjiyKK9 @Sportsnet
– Eric Engels (@EricEngels) November 2, 2023
– Adam Engström seems in no hurry to arrive in North America. Let’s hope he doesn’t do a Mattias Norlinder of his own…
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with one of the #CH ‘s top defensive prospects, Adam Engstrom.
Almost 20, he’s in the last year of his contract with Rögle in Sweden.
Laval or Montreal next year? #Habs #Canadiens
👍 https://t.co/2XyPWXvM59– La Poche Bleue (@lapochebleue) November 1, 2023
– Cédrick Guindon is on fire.
Cedrick Guindon has two more goals tonight. That’s six in his last four games.
– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) November 2, 2023
– That would be great news.
**Keep an eye 👁️ on**
I’m told there are ongoing discussions between involved parties for a potential scaled down World Cup of Hockey featuring only @NHL Players, perhaps in 2025 on a potential timeline between Superbowl and March Madness. #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/U5jGbjHoGn– Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) November 1, 2023
– Wow.
What a sport, what a league#LetsGoBuffalo | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/YNjgJxzo34
– Field hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) November 2, 2023
– MLB can’t be too happy.
It’s easy to see why the club wants to cut its payroll next year.
Unless it’s a PR technique. https://t.co/OFcHdiOGVm
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 2, 2023