Devante Smith-Pelly did not arrive in Montreal in time to practice with his new teammates Wednesday, but head coach Michel Therrien said the forward will play Thursday night in Columbus, the Montreal Gazette reports.

Smith-Pelly did not arrive in Montreal in time to practice with his new teammates Wednesday, but head coach Michel Therrien said the forward will play Thursday night in Columbus, the Montreal Gazette reports.

Analysis:

Therrien revealed little about Smith-Pelly's role, other than that he will play against the Blue Jackets. The coach will try out the newcomer in different combinations, with a third- or fourth-line assignment the likeliest scenario out of the gate.