Kent Hughes did not submit a qualifying offer to Joel Teasdale, so the Quebecer is now an uncompensated free agent. He will leave Quebec to pursue his career with another NHL team. This new departure away from Montreal could be very beneficial for him.
That’s what he told Simon-Olivier Lorange of La Presse at this weekend’s KR Classic.
Le Canadien | Joël Teasdale was ready to leave Montreal… for the first time! https://t.co/ljN8uIp4GW
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) July 24, 2023
His dream is to establish himself in the NHL one day. It didn’t seem possible, and it’s probably for Teasdale’s sake that Kent Hughes didn’t make him a qualifying offer.
The Quebecer has yet to sign a deal with another NHL team, but he was keen to reassure everyone that he has received offers and should find himself a job by next season.
He explains that NHL teams always have a ” rush” of signings from July 1 onwards, but then take the time to analyze things carefully before signing other players.
Although this new start could do him a lot of good, Teasdale didn’t hide the fact that leaving the CH made him a little sad, explaining that it’s his childhood team and that he would have liked to continue his career in Montreal.
What will be difficult for Teasdale is adapting. He’s never played field hockey for a team outside Quebec. He would have liked to have been drafted by a Maritime team in the QMJHL to develop his English, but that didn’t happen.
Teasdale played for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, before spending his final season in the Courteau circuit with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He then spent the last three years with the Rocket in Laval, also playing two games with the big Montreal club this season.
At the age of 24, he will be leaving Quebec for good. He’s probably perfected his English in Laval and Montreal, but this time he’ll be living his life completely in English, including off the ice.
In two games with the Canadiens in 2022-23, Teasdale collected one assist. He was especially outstanding with the Rocket, collecting 38 points, including 23 goals, in 58 games this season.
In bursts
– It was expected.
Lionel Messi to wear captain’s armband for Miami, coach announceshttps://t.co/1WfMJ1tT9t
– RDS (@RDSca) July 24, 2023
– They’ll have to be better than they were against Nigeria.
“We’re building on that and focusing on the process” ⚽️🇨🇦 https://t.co/IrL9B1XLsD
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 24, 2023
– Bravo champion.
He is the sixth player to be suspended in connection with betting this year😬https://t.co/GqZYt6AvKU
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 24, 2023
– The Alouettes have acquired a very talented player.
We’re out of lemon puns…here’s Shawn Lemon’s first interview as a Montreal #Alouettes player.
–
We’re out of lemon puns…here’s @SLemonator‘s first interview as a Montreal Alouette!Go Als Go!🏈 pic.twitter.com/5ovmuT6kp0
– Montreal Alouettes (@MTLAlouettes) July 24, 2023