Alex Belzile Returns to Montreal on a Two-Way Deal
The Montreal Canadiens have brought back a familiar depth forward in Alex Belzile, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t make headlines in the moment, but quietly reinforces an organization’s depth chart heading into training camp.
Can Belzile’s game translate to the NHL level?
Belzile is coming off another strong AHL season with the Laval Rocket, where he put up 29 goals and 62 points in 66 games, along with a healthy dose of physical play at 76 penalty minutes. At 34, he’s proven exactly what he is at this stage of his career. He’s a dominant AHL scorer who can still drive a game at that level. The production is real, consistent, and still impressive for a veteran forward.
The challenge, as always, is whether his game translates to the NHL level. Belzile has carved out NHL looks in the past, but breaking through full-time has been the uphill battle. That likely doesn’t change much here. With Montreal’s forward group trending younger and more competitive, his path to meaningful NHL minutes is narrow unless injuries open the door.
Related: The Canadiens Are Thinking in Percentages, Not Players.
Belzile’s value is to the Canadiens’ organization.
So this is really about organizational value more than anything else, because Belzile’s value to the organization remains even if he doesn’t make the Canadiens’ roster. Laval gets a proven leader and top-end AHL scorer back in the mix, while Montreal keeps a reliable depth option who understands the system and can step in if needed.
At this stage, Belzile is the kind of player who stabilizes your AHL roster and gives you peace of mind more than anything else. If he does get NHL time, it will likely be short-term and situation-based rather than a permanent role.
In short, this is a classic re-signing for a team that knows exactly what it’s getting: a veteran pro who can still dominate the AHL, but who will have to fight hard—like always—for any NHL opportunity that comes his way.