As the NHL calendar turns to June, a crucial deadline quietly approaches for teams and their unsigned prospects. For the Montreal Canadiens, this year’s June 1st date carries particular significance, as it marks a potential turning point in the future of one of their young goaltenders.

With the organization already boasting impressive depth between the pipes, the clock is ticking for Kent Hughes and his management team to make a decision on the fate of Joe Vrbetic. At just 22 years old, Vrbetic has shown flashes of promise in the minors, but his journey with the Canadiens may be coming to an abrupt end.

The annual June 1st deadline serves as a stark reminder of the business side of hockey, where difficult choices must be made and dreams can be put on hold. As fans and analysts await official news, the situation surrounding Vrbetic highlights the delicate balance teams must strike between developing talent and managing organizational needs. With time running out, all eyes are on Montreal to see if a last-minute twist will keep this towering young netminder in the fold, or if he will soon be searching for a new opportunity elsewhere.

Photo of Joe Vrbetic

Photo credit: BayToday.ca

The Montreal Canadiens are indeed on the verge of losing the rights to one of their prospects.

Unless there’s a major twist, as of this Sunday, Kent Hughes will lose the rights to goaltender Joe Vrbetic.

Each year, June 1 is a fairly important date, as it’s when many unsigned NHL prospects are officially released.

It’s the date when NHL teams lose the rights to certain prospects who remain unsigned. In other words, their rights expire.

The full list is here, but the only name from the Montreal Canadiens this year is goaltender Joe Vrbetic.

Prospect Joe Vrbetic will be released by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens this Sunday, barring a huge surprise

It’s worth noting that the Canadiens are already well-stocked at the goaltending position.

Kent Hughes therefore has until Sunday to sign Vrbetic, but there is no real expectation that it will happen.

Only 22 years old, Vrbetic is a 6-foot-6, 186-pound goaltender who was drafted 214th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2021 (7th round).

With the Trois-Rivières Lions this season, he posted a goals-against average of 0.81 and a save percentage of .957.. in two games.

Vrbetic also has four career starts with the Laval Rocket (4.05 GAA / .871 save percentage).

More details to follow.