Slovakian media is reporting that there is an apparent rift growing between the Montreal Canadiens and one of their top prospects, 2022 first-round pick Filip Mesar. Mesar’s attitude towards the development process is playing a large role in this, and that’s enough for the Philadelphia Flyers to stay clear of any kind of trade.
To be clear, this isn’t a repeat of the Cutter Gauthier situation with the Flyers, nor is it quite the same as the ongoing ordeal with Rutger McGroarty and the Winnipeg Jets.
Mesar has publicly called out some of his Kitchener Rangers teammates after a disappointing OHL season in which he scored only 51 points in 52 games. And, while Mesar was fine with playing junior hockey this year, it’s not something he is willing to do again for a third year in a row.
Instead, Mesar longs to play in the pros, whether it be AHL or NHL.
“When I wanted to create something, my teammates were there a little late, and then there was a slight frustration, but I had to get over it,” Mesar told Slovakian outlet TvNoviny. “The leadership of the club explained to me that at my age, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield also played in the junior, so it’s not a step back.”
However, Mesar did conjure memories of Gauthier and the Flyers when he skipped out on the Canadiens’ recent annual development camp, though the reason for that is so Mesar can spend time with his girlfriend, according to TvNoviny.
It’s times like these when the Flyers are looking to upgrade and add more young talent in any way they can, and while Mesar certainly is talented, his attitude is not the kind that is going to mesh well with the Flyers’ culture-first modus operandi.
Additionally, Mesar is a right-shot right wing, and the Flyers already have way too many of those. With Matvei Michkov joining the fold in 2024, Mesar would only further add to the logjam.
