The Montreal Canadiens announced Sunday that they have released their first-round draft pick Nikita Scherbak from training camp.
Scherbak, 18, was selected 26th overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft after finishing a successful season with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League. Scherbak tallied 78 points in 65 games, while the second-highest scorer on the team only had 43 points.
Since Scherbak was drafted out of the Canadian Hockey League and cannot be sent to the American Hockey League until next season, the Canadiens have assigned him to the Everett Silvertips in the WHL.
The baby-faced forward was named player of the game in the “Red and White” scrimmage and played his preseason debut on Sept. 23 against the Boston Bruins. Despite his reputation of being a speedy and skilled winger, the Habs were “quietly disappointed” with the young Russian player’s performance, per Sportsnet’s John Shannon.
The Habs will re-evaluate Scherbak next year.
Montreal sent 17 players to the Hamilton Bulldogs and released eight others. After the cut, the Canadiens still have 35 players on their training camp roster, which is comprised of 20 forwards, 11 defensemen, and four goaltenders.
Photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
