The future is bright for 20-year-old Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete.
 It could just conceivably be postponed though, even if only for one
season.Mete vs. the Canadiens

In that way, Mete's career trajectory might be a microcosm of the upcoming
Canadiens 2018-19 season, which is looking more and more like one on which fans
 will want to press the fast-forward button.

That all signs are pointing to a non-playoff season is only one factor
currently working against Mete. Granted, both general manager Marc Bergevin and
 owner Geoff Molson have gone on record as saying the goal is to contend for a
playoff spot.

Just as a reminder, knowing fully at the time Shea Weber would be out until
mid-December, Marc Bergevin still insisted that the goal next season is for the
 Canadiens to make the playoffs.

- Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 5, 2018

However, under the assumption the Habs, who didn't make any notable off-season
improvements in the wake of the Shea Weber surgery news after finishing 28th
overall, aren't actively looking to compete, Mete might be better served
playing in the American Hockey League.

Mete was undeniably one of the Habs' better defensemen last year, but that
doesn't mean he was a world-beater by any stretch. Mete exceeded expectations
by first making the team out of training camp and then getting in 49 games with
 the Habs. He's projected as being an offensively capable, mobile defenseman
though, meaning his seven assists (zero goals) in that span can't really be
considered a success.

So, why did the Habs keep him up? The theory is they felt sending Mete back to
the Ontario Hockey League wasn't best for his development, because he was
simply too good for junior. As a then-19-year-old, Mete wasn't eligible for the
 AHL, which only lets in major-junior players who are 20 by Dec. 31 of that
hockey season.Mete vs. Juulsen

So, this is the first season Mete can be sent down to the minors. As he's
waiver-exempt, the Habs wouldn't risk losing him either. Both he and Noah
Juulsen are the only defensemen currently projected to make the Habs that fit
into that category. Either one could be sent down to make room for Michael
McCarron, Nikita Scherbak, or Mike Reilly, each of whom would have to be
exposed if they were cut instead.

The reason this train of thought doesn't apply to Juulsen is simple: Even
though Juulsen only has 23 games of NHL experience to Mete's 49, he actually
has more professional experience overall, having gotten a taste with the St.
John's IceCaps in 2016-17. Juulsen is also a right-handed defenseman, and shots
 like his are in short supply on the Habs, especially with Weber
injured.Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Juulsen - (Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY
 Sports)

Meanwhile, the Habs have three separate lefties, excluding Mete (Reilly, Karl
Alzner and David Schlemko). While the left-handed Jordie Benn might play on the
 right to compensate for the loss of Weber, sending Mete down would open a spot
 for the newly signed Xavier Ouellet, who would also have to go through
waivers.

It should be noted that, while Ouellet is new to Habs fans, he isn't to the
NHL. Ouellet has 141 games of NHL experience, including 45 last season, during
which he also scored seven assists, like Mete. By any rational measure, Ouellet
 has just as much of a right to make the Habs (assuming the effort level during
 training camp is there).

Really, the only argument against sending Mete down is that his upside is too
great. However, with the coaching overhaul of this past summer and Joel
Bouchard at the helm of the Laval Rocket, it's not like his development in the
AHL is seen as being at risk. Demoting Mete is a way to assure him of a regular
 shift, when he was a healthy scratch by the Habs on numerous occasions and
only played over 20 minutes five times.

In a league where top defensemen regularly play above 25 minutes and Mete is
seen as being one of the best options on the left side for the Habs, the
evidence suggests the Habs themselves don't see it, at least right now. In
fact, Mete's most common partner last season was Schlemko, who has earned an
admirably lengthy career up to this point, but almost purely as a depth
defenseman.Cutting vs. Keeping Mete

Of course, one can assume Mete would be in line for a boost in responsibility
with the Habs during his second professional season. The only way that would
benefit the Habs and him in the long term though is if he'd be allowed to make
mistakes without fear of negative repercussions.

Unfortunately, little about the Habs' bench culture either under Michel
Therrien or Claude Julien suggests that as being a likely possibility. That's
only truer with the news the Habs are eying a playoff spot, if you take it at
face value. And, if you don't, what's the harm in bringing along one of the
Habs' top prospects on defense slower?Victor Mete - (Photo by David
Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cutting Mete might not be a popular decision, but it would be for the best. It
checks the following two boxes, after all: More guaranteed ice time for Mete
and good asset management on Bergevin's part. During a season in which
Bergevin's job is theoretically on the line, it's ironic how he might be doing
just that by cutting Mete and making the Habs weaker overall.

If it so happens that a 20-year-old Mete will make or break the Canadiens this
year though, maybe the playoffs shouldn't be the team's primary goal. Helping
players like Mete get to the point where they break games instead should be. He
 shouldn't be the one to make the Habs as a result... in more ways than one.

The post Could Canadiens Defenseman Mete Miss the Cut? appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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