7th year center Michael Chaput(21) seemingly gets a new lease as an off-season trade sends him from his team of the last pair of seasons, Vancouver Canucks to Chicago Blackhawks but was left unqualified heading into the new season.
On the opening day of unrestricted free agency, he was scooped up by Montreal Canadiens on a 2-year, 2-way deal, which should give him more time up in the big league.
He was on a one-way deal in 2017/2018 after playing his first, almost full season (minus 10 AHL games) in the NHL (68 games) scoring 4 goals and 5 assists.
In his final year in Columbus Blue Jackets‘ system, he would skate 8 games with the parent club but spent most of his time playing for affiliate Cleveland Monsters, where he would record a career high 29 assists and tying 45 points before helping them win the 2016 Calder Cup Championship.
He was almost oddly not given a qualifying offer to continue but was scooped up quickly on the opening day of unrestricted free agency.
The recently turned 26-year old still needs to be signed but it seems likely he’ll agree to a new 1-year two-way contract.
Michael Chaput (39)
Striking for 13 goals and 19 assists in his rookie campaign, 4th year center Michael Chaput(16) would put himself on the parent club’s radar through 73 AHL games earning his first recall early in his 2nd season.
He would skate with the big club for 17 games getting an assist as he played mostly under 10 minutes of total ice time in each contest.
His game elevated to a whole other level on reassigned to the minors.
He posted a career high 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in only 55 games.
In the last year of his entry level deal he made the opening night roster and put up assists in the first two games of the season and finally notched his first NHL goal in his second recall.
He ended up appearing in 33 games scoring 1 tally and four helpers, while still playing roughly 10 minutes per outing and was usually above 50% on the face off dot giving him extra value.
On reassignment to finish out the year his numbers weren’t what he accomplished in his sophomore season but he still managed 10 goals and 11 assists in 45 games with a +2 rating.
The Blue Jackets like what they see in the now 23-year old’s development and have re-upped with him extending him for another run on a two-way contract.
If he succeeds making the team out of training camp again he will likely need to prove he’s ready to contribute on a regular basis.
Michael Chaput (16)
Originally a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft (#89 overall), center Michael Chaput(16) was traded to Columbus Blue Jackets‘ organization in a minor deal before he ever hit the ice with the team.
Reassigned to the AHL Springfield Falcons to start his pro career, the 6’2″ 194 lbs. forward has struck for 5 goals and 8 assists in 33 games with a +4 plus/minus.
More than a pure goal scorer, which he certainly showed signs of becoming in juniors, the rookie seems to be more of an energy line skater and penalty kill specialist out of the gate.
He did win a Memorial Cup Trophy with Shawinigan Cataractes, was the tournament’s leading scorer and MVP.
There’s definite signs he could come to life in a big way on the scoresheet as he gets more games under his belt but for now if he can stay accountable, should be fine chipping in the occasional points.
At only 20 years old, he is signed through 2015.