This off-season has been a quiet one for the Montreal Canadiens. No particular changes have been made in order to focus on stability in the growth for the next season. However, this will change as the Canadiens Training Camp will soon be underway. With both young and experienced players, everyone is looking forward to seeing what to expect from the new roster.
Canadiens Training Camp
The Canadiens Training Camp, which kicks off on the 23rd of September, already looks promising. This time, the 72 players are divided into four teams. Those teams will play against each other with two scrimmages daily. The games will lead up to the yearly scrimmage between the Red and White Scrimmage before pre-season begins the week after.
There are good reasons to follow the training camp, as it is often a warning for the next season. You will also get to catch up with new, promising players. Staying up to date on player happenings is crucial if you bet on matches at sites like those listed on BonusFinder Canada.
The Roster
The roster of 72 players includes players who are on AHL contracts. This time, the roster consists of 9 goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 40 forwards. The Habs’ executive vice president of hockey operations, Jeff Gordon, as well as Kent Hughes, the general manager, are looking towards a new rebuild and modernizing the team. One of the keywords for this time has been familiarity. The players and coaches have had to gain each other’s trust, which is why there haven’t been any significant changes of late.
This time, we see new additions like Alex Newhook and Gustav Lindstrom. The roster also consists of experienced players under St. Louis, and they will be among those players who will keep the fort down. The competition won’t be easy. Both new prospects and experienced players will have to do the best they can to fight for the chair.
Possible Battles
Many fans are keeping an eye on Canadian Arber Xhekaj, who is often highlighted as a very talented all-rounder. His physique and toughness will make him a strong contender amongst his teammates. There is no doubt that he will be one of the threats. Then we have newcomers like Gustav Lindstrom and players like William Trudeau, who will do their best to push over Harris and Kovacevic. Other players like Mike Matheson won’t necessarily go into battles, as their future will not necessarily be decided in this training camp.
The Lineup
A burning question is the future of Cayden Primeau, the son of the retired NHL forward Keith Primeau. Right now, he is going into the prime of his career. However, whether he can prove himself as a stable goaltender is still being determined. If he manages to do so, the Habs will have to do everything in their power not to lose him. But the chances are 50-50. If he can’t live up to expectations, he won’t have the same security, and manager Hughes is more likely to leave him.
When looking at the lineup, Primeau will likely be a part. Besides him, we will see Mike Matheson, Arber Xhekaj, Harris and Kovacevic, as well as Alex Newhook, as part of the opening-night roster.
The Rookie Camp
Looking at the rookies, their training camp at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard is already underway. The roster consists of 27 prospects, 9 defensemen, three goaltenders, and 15 forwards. Some have been invited on a tryout basis, while others were drafted by the Canadiens. The first-round picks are players like David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux. So far, the rookies have had a tumultuous start, with a loss against the Sabres team but a win against the Ottawa Senators.