Five players cut, including a very familiar face to Canadiens fans

Luke Tuch has been cut by Rick Bowness and the Columbus Blue Jackets, sending the former Canadiens second-round pick back to the AHL.

The forward is part of a five-player group assigned to the Cleveland Monsters as Columbus continues trimming its roster before the regular season.

Oiva Keskinen, Charlie Elick, Guillaume Richard and goaltender Nolan Lalonde were also sent to Cleveland in the same round of moves.

The Blue Jackets also designated Isac Lundestrom and Elvis Merzlikins as injured, leaving both players outside the active lineup.

For Tuch, the decision means another season will begin outside the NHL. The 24-year-old is still trying to turn his size and physical style into a permanent role at the highest level.

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Montreal selected Tuch in the second round, 47th overall, at the 2020 NHL Draft before he spent four seasons with Boston University.

Luke Tuch faces another test after Canadiens exit

Tuch eventually joined the Laval Rocket and spent the past two seasons in the Canadiens' organization, but his offensive production never pushed him into Montreal's NHL plans.

His most recent full season with Laval produced 14 points in 68 games, numbers that left him fighting for another opportunity rather than knocking on the Canadiens' door.

That opportunity arrived when Montreal traded Tuch to Columbus last June in exchange for Hunter McKown. The move gave both forwards a fresh start with new organizations.

But Tuch hasn't forced his way onto the Blue Jackets' opening roster. His assignment to Cleveland puts him back in a familiar position: trying to earn another NHL look through his work in the American League.

Columbus now carries 29 players as its roster decisions continue ahead of opening night. That leaves little room for players on the bubble as Bowness and his staff sort through the remaining options.

Tuch can still change the conversation with a strong run in Cleveland. For now, though, the former Canadiens prospect has another hurdle to clear before reaching the NHL.

His Montreal chapter is already closed. His next challenge is making sure Columbus eventually gives him another shot.

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