Joshua Roy

October 2024 – After a disappointing training camp, Joshua Roy was assigned to the Laval Rocket to start the 2024-25 season. Prospects Oliver Kapanen and Emil Heineman performed significantly better in the preseason, and both earned their NHL spots over the 2021 fifth round pick. Currently involved in minor controversy off the ice as well, it seems Joshua Roy may spend a large chunk of the season in Laval, despite the Canadiens’ issues at forward right now. If there is a real meritocracy, he will not be the first call-up option. Aaron Itovitch

June 2024 – Joshua Roy established himself as an NHLer in his time with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2023-24 season. An injury unfortunately forced him out of the lineup, but he was able to come back at the end of the year to help the Laval Rocket to fight for a playoff spot. All things being equal, Roy will start the 2024-25 season in the Montreal Canadiens’ middle six, and possible on their second line depending on the off-season moves of the organization. Aaron Itovitch

January 2024 – Joshua Roy’s stellar AHL play earned him a short call-up, where he accomplished many milestones. In a six-game stint, he scored his first NHL goal, and added an assist. Laval is definitely where he belongs right now, as his pace of play adapts to professional hockey. If he keeps up his pace, he’ll end the season with 57 points in 68 NHL games; not bad for a fifth-round pick only two years ago! Aaron Itovitch

November 2023 – While he has cooled off from his incredible hot start, Roy is still tied for 2nd in AHL rookie scoring, behind fellow 2021 pick Logan Stankoven. Roy is definitely showing that there is an NHL game in him, but that will have to wait as it appears the organization has chosen not to rush his development. Aaron Itovitch

September 2023 – It is very clear that Joshua Roy is pushing for a roster spot an opening night. Just two years removed from being taken in the fifth round, he might just do it. He has been one of the brightest spots for the team through training camp, showing poise, intelligence, and responsibility. He has emerged as a quality complementary player, and will either see himself getting big minutes in Laval, or maybe getting NHL reps. Marc Bergevin may have left the Canadiens one last gem before his departure from the organization. Aaron Itovitch

December 2022 – Since being drafted 150^th overall in 2021, Roy has played in 92 QMJHL games, and accumulated 162 points. This is no small feat, as he is becoming one of the best players in his league. Now at his second world juniors championship, Roy will be an important piece on a Canada team searching for a gold medal. There are several worrying parts of Roy’s game however. Many aspects of Roy’s game are passable, but he doesn’t particularly shine in any part of the game. The QMJHL is one of the weaker defensive junior leagues, so his point totals don’t tell the whole story. While he will jump to the pros next season, and he should find himself a nice role in Laval, in a Montreal system with several high-end forwards, Roy may find himself on the outside looking in. If Kent Hughes and company are looking to make moves for the teams’ future, they could very well leverage Roy’s point totals for draft assets. No matter which direction is taken with Roy, however, he was a phenomenal pick in the fifth round. Aaron Itovitch

April 2022 – Roy signed his entry-level contract on March 30. Not many fifth-round picks who are nearly ineligible for draft get signed within a year of their name being called on Draft Day, but Roy has defied expectations all year. The former QMJHL first overall pick did not put everything together in major junior until this season, but that product has been very impressive. Roy is tied for the QMJHL’s lead in points with 94 with 20-year-old Islanders prospect William Dufour but holds a game in hand. His 37 goals also place him fifth in the league. He is also the youngest of all the players in the top 10 of both categories, as he only turns 19 in August. While the production may indicate that Roy has elite upside, I still have my doubts. There are always junior players that produce at a high level and fail to translate that to the NHL, especially QMJHL alums, as the defensive play in the Quebec league generally offers forwards ample time and space to execute their plays. I really liked Roy’s performance at rookie camp prior to the season, and I think he has a solid foundation to his game, providing him with the relatively high floor of a bottom-six contributor, with time on the second powerplay unit. However, I do not see any elite qualities in Roy’s game. He has certainly developed his playmaking – it has likely overtaken his shooting as his most dangerous offensive tool – and he thinks the game at a high level, but I do not know if it is enough for him to become the top-six offensive player so many fans are propping him up to be. I certainly hope he proves me wrong here, just as he has done with countless others with his performances this season, but my rankings of his upside and NHL certainty reflect the concerns I still have. Roy may turn pro next season, as he has proved almost everything he can at the QMJHL-level, and could complement fair-few other good prospects in Laval in 2022-23. Sebastian High

July 2021 – Roy showed off his shooting ability this season scoring 13 goals in 20 games. He was drafted in the fifth round 150 overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Pablo Ruiz