Dominique Ducharme did not hide it: the weekend’s preparatory games between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators will be very important for players wishing to win positions with the big club.
Even though the Habs’ camp started a little over a week ago, the team have played only two preseason games so far, as well as one intra-team meeting. However, Ducharme insisted that it is during matches that the players will have to demonstrate their know-how above all, and not only during training.
Ducharme also plans to reduce the number of players at the camp significantly on Sunday. So now is the time for players involved in battles to stand out.
“Every game you play – we said, there aren’t 10 or 12 – for everyone, these are important games,” Ducharme repeated on Thursday. These are matches that will not come back. When the door opens, you have to go inside. “
The group that played in Montreal on Monday will be in action Friday in Ottawa. Jonathan Drouin, Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson will try to demonstrate their cohesion once again. However, the eyes will be mostly on the defense, as Kaiden Guhle and Sami Niku will be among the players who will want to earn points from the coaches.
Saturday in Montreal, it will be at the center Ryan Poehling to try to prove that he is ready to settle with the Canadian.
Poehling hasn’t had a particularly glowing camp so far in two outings, including the inter-squad game. He still had some nice flashes.
“I think things are going well, that things were going better as the games progressed, especially in Toronto. They (the Maple Leafs) started the game strong and we didn’t know how to react, ”said Poehling.
“I want to do what I can to carve out a place for myself on the team,” he added. I want to be myself and do my best. Then it’s the coaches who evaluate you and I’ll live with their decision. “
Ducharme admitted that a player’s past work was part of the assessment. In Poehling’s case, he flourished with the Laval Rocket last winter, amassing 25 points in 28 games.
“But especially for a young player, you want to see if he is able to repeat the same things or almost the same things at the level of the NHL,” said Ducharme.
Paquette injured, two players on waivers
Forward Cédric Paquette missed practice Thursday with a minor groin injury. The team also submitted the names of defenders Xavier Ouellet and Louie Belpedio on waivers.
Paquette, who is 28, signed a campaign contract with the Habs over the summer. He had four goals and as many assists in 47 games last season with the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes.
Laurent Dauphin was placed in the center of Mathieu Perreault and Alex Belzile in the absence of Paquette. Gabriel Bourque was to the right of Ryan Poehling and Artturi Lehkonen.
Ouellet played six games with the Canadiens last winter and did not collect a point. The 28-year-old veteran added three goals and an assist in 19 games with the Rocket.
Belpedio has four games of NHL experience with the Minnesota Wild.
Ouellet and Belpedio are expected to report to the Rocket camp on Monday if they are not claimed by one of the other 31 NHL squads.
Watch video
Reference-feedproxy.google.com