Montreal Canadiens have signed their fourth round pick, taken 99th overall in 2002, to a three year two way contract. The former Montreal Rocket, now plays for the PEI Rocket, where he enjoyed a career year, as he led his team in scoring and was near the top ten in scoring in the league. Playing for most of the entire season on fellow Hab prospect Cory Urquhart’s wing, Lambert was able to convert many of Urquhart’s passes, as he recorded 42 goals this year after getting 28 goals last year and 29 the year before.
The native of Trois-Rivières, Quebec was signed last night, less then 24 hours before the deadline or he would have reentered the NHL entry draft later this month. Canadiens assistant general manager, Andre Savard must have seen something in Lambert he really liked, as he traded up to get him giving a 4th and 5th round pick for the 99th overall pick. While playing for the Montreal Rocket, Lambert was easy to scout, as the Rocket got to play in the Bell Center when the Canadiens were off or away, which could have helped Savard’s decision to trade up and grab him.
This year was the breakout season that many had hoped to see from the offensively gifted Lambert, and he even got to play for Team QMJHL in the Remax games against Team Russia this year. Playing under ex-Hab coach, Alain Vigneault may have helped him to find the confidence he needed, as Vigneault would play Lambert in all situations, and key moments.
The next step for Lambert is to secure a spot in Hamilton, if not he would play in either the ECHL or he could be returned to PEI, but it would seem unlikely at this point but not impossible. Hopefully his linemate Cory Urquhart is also signed this summer, but he still has a full year before he has to be signed.
With the signing of Lambert, only one player needs to be signed or will be lost to reentry, and that’s Andre Deveaux of Owen Sound. The 6th round pick, taken 182nd overall must be signed in the next few hours or he will no longer be apart of the Canadiens organization.