Montreal Canadiens field nears final decisions – Montreal | The Canadian News

The battles weren’t many at the Montreal Canadiens’ camp, but head coach Dominique Ducharme has yet to make some decisions with general manager Marc Bergevin before introducing his 23-man squad to start the season to the NHL.

The teams have until Monday, at 5:00 p.m., to formalize their training. The Canadian will reorganize his season on Wednesday in Toronto, against the Maple Leafs.

Did the Canadian overtake Jesse Yl? Nen on Saturday, so only 24 healthy players were left at Habs’ camp on Saturday, including three goalkeepers. Ducharme did not want to sell himself, but Samuel Montembeault should stay at the big club, while Cayden Primeau will continue his apprenticeship with Laval Rocket, in the American Hockey League.

“I’ll tell you about the plan before confirming it,” Ducharme was content to say.

Montembeault already spoke as someone who will start the season as an assistant to Jake Allen, pending the return of Carey Price.

“It’s exciting. I’m going to be able to be there for the first game in Montreal (October 16). But for me, that doesn’t change my focus. I have to keep working hard in training to be prepared for when. I have the opportunity to play. I want to show that I can deliver the merchandise, “said the 24-year-old doorman from Quebec.

The situation is a little less clear on the part of the defense. Kaiden Guhle is still in camp and, at age 19, is ineligible to be discharged from the American Hockey League. The Canadiens can give him a nine-game try without burning the first year of his rookie contract before sending him back to the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western League (WHL).

“I’m a little surprised,” Guhle said when asked how it felt to be still with the Canadiens while camp is in its final days. “I wanted to show up here and do everything I could to stay that long. as possible. I take it one day at a time. “

For his part, Ducharme reminded me that a young person sometimes has an advantage in playing a key role at the youth level than a supporting role in the NHL.

“Keeping a young man to be seventh or eighth defender, whether he’s on his youth team and having a great time, whether he’s going to the World Junior Championship, being his team captain, whatever,” Ducharme insisted.

Sami Niku from Finland is also fighting for a defensive position. Hired by the Habs during camp, Niku suffered a concussion during the first period of the only preparatory game in which he participated. Now recovered, Niku hopes to make a good impression on the coaches.

“Obviously I would have liked to play more games, more than one period,” exclaimed Niku. I have to give it my all in training and I hope they notice me. “

There is also the case of Mattias Norlinder, which remains complex. The 21-year-old defender has a deal to return to Frolunda FC if he doesn’t get a spot with the Canadiens. The problem is that Norlinder has been on the sidelines for ten days.

The return of some injured players will also force management to make other decisions. Ducharme said forward Cédric Paquette is expected to join his teammates in training on Monday. If he is ready to return to the game, another player will have to be eliminated.

Ducharme added that Mike Hoffman is expected to rejoin his teammates in training on Monday, October 18. And when it comes to defender Joel Edmundson, Ducharme spoke up on October 25.

However, a lot can happen by then, but the last responses on the portrait of Canadians to start the campaign should be known on Monday.