As the offseason unfolds, the Montreal Canadiens’ front office has been anything but quiet, orchestrating a series of moves that have sent ripples through the fanbase and media alike.

With new faces joining the lineup and competition intensifying for every available roster spot, the stakes have never been higher for the team’s young talent. Among those feeling the pressure is Joshua Roy, a forward once seen as a key piece of the Canadiens’ future, who now finds himself at a crossroads in his young career.

The arrival of promising forwards and established names has quietly complicated Roy’s path to becoming a regular in Montreal. With each new acquisition, questions grow louder about where—and if—he fits into the team’s long-term plans.

As the Canadiens continue to shape their roster for the upcoming season, the spotlight is turning toward Roy, whose determination to secure a permanent NHL role has become a compelling storyline. With time ticking and competition mounting, the coming months could prove decisive for Roy’s future with the organization, leaving fans and analysts alike to wonder what comes next for the talented winger.

Mar 16, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Joshua Roy (89) follows the play against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

It’s been a very interesting start to the offseason for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.

Names like Zachary Bolduc, Joe Veleno, and Samuel Blais have just been added to the offensive picture for Martin St-Louis’ lineup.

Quietly, these various Canadiens acquisitions are casting even more doubt on the future of a certain Joshua Roy in Montreal.

A few weeks ago, we exclusively reported that Joshua Roy will demand a trade from the Canadiens if he doesn’t establish himself as a regular in Montreal within one or two seasons.

Roy has reportedly set the age of 22 or 23 as the deadline he’s giving himself to permanently break through with the Canadiens (he turns 22 this August).

It’s Starting to Feel Like the End for Joshua Roy With the Canadiens

Now let’s take a look at the wingers currently on the Habs’ roster, keeping in mind that Roy will never be an NHL center:

Cole Caufield – Juraj Slafkovsky
Zachary Bolduc – Ivan Demidov
Patrik Laine – Josh Anderson
Brendan Gallagher – Open Spot

Do you see Joshua Roy stealing one of those spots in the next season or two?

The only open spot is on a fourth line, and with all due respect, I really don’t think Roy is a fourth-line player.

Players like Oliver Kapanen, Florian Xhekaj, and possibly even Owen Beck, Joe Veleno, and Samuel Blais are competing with him for that role.

Not to mention Alexander Zharovsky, who’s expected to arrive at the end of the season!

With the Canadiens’ New Acquisitions, the Odds of Joshua Roy Being Traded Just Skyrocketed

I really don’t see how Roy can become a top-9 winger in the short term for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.

As the excellent Marc-Olivier Cook points out in his latest piece, it will be interesting to see what role Joshua Roy plays this season (especially in Laval), because even on Pascal Vincent’s squad, there will be competition for top-6 forward minutes.

I’m really wondering what the future holds for Joshua Roy within the Montreal Canadiens organization.

Time is running out for him!