Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#109 overall), Russian right wing Alexander Avtsin(67) has struggled to live up to expectations in his first two seasons playing with their AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs.
The 6’3″ 193 lbs. forward is signed to a three-year entry level deal, which will keep him in the organization through 2014, but has yet to exhibit the signs of becoming the power forward the Habs thought they were getting.
He’s a bit light for his size and needs to show a willingness to get into the mix for scoring chances. Maybe at the young age of 21-years old he’s still struggling with the North American style of hockey but needs to snap to it quickly or may face reassignment to the ECHL this season to get him up to speed.
Through the first 11 games of the 2012/2013 season he was a healthy scratch from the lineup, finally getting his opportunity to play in game 12.
He must have gotten the message loud and clear because he struck for a goal and an assist in a big win for the Bulldogs but will have to keep up the pace to stay on the big club’s radar.
