The Habs are back in action this morning, a little over two months after falling to three wins from winning the Stanley Cup. 70 players will present themselves to Dominique Ducharme, who will lead his first training camp as head coach of the Canadiens.
Exempted from the team’s annual golf tournament, which was held on Tuesday, due to health restrictions imposed by the NHL, players will undergo a series of physical tests and medical exams today.
It is tomorrow that the 40 forwards, 23 defenders and seven goalies will officially jump on the ice for the first time. During this three-week camp, they will play six preseason games. The first will take place on Saturday in Toronto.
Despite his presence in the grand final, everything has to be started again at the Habs. For this 2021-2022 season, which we hope will be normal, the Montreal team is back in the Atlantic division with, among others, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Bruins. Boston.
Due to the many staff movements during the offseason, the face of the roster has changed somewhat.
Phillip Danault, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Corey Perry and Eric Staal are gone.
David Savard, Mike Hoffman, Mathieu Perreault, Christian Dvorak and Cédric Paquette have gone the other way.
Therefore, the next three weeks will be used to answer a few questions and confirm some hypotheses. Here are a few :
THE KNEE OF PRICE
On July 23, Carey Price underwent knee surgery. At the time, it was reported that the 34-year-old guardian’s recovery would take 10 to 12 weeks. We are now on the ninth and Price has already been seen on the ice with one of the team’s athletic therapists. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to play in one of the six preseason games the Montrealers will play starting on Saturday and whether he will be in peak form for the season opener in Toronto on the 13th. October. During these three weeks, he will also have the opportunity to get to know Eric Raymond, the new goalkeeper coach of the Canadiens.
THE ABSENCE OF WEBER
We have known since the middle of the summer: the Canadian will have to do without his captain for the duration of the season. And maybe more. Since the arrival of Shea Weber in Montreal, no CH player has been used more often than him (24 min 6 s on average per game). Marc Bergevin and Dominique Ducharme may repeat that we cannot replace Weber, we will still have to fill these minutes. At first glance, it is David Savard who will take his place to the right of Ben Chiarot. However, the Quebecer risks being paired with Alexander Romanov, which would undoubtedly make a more balanced duo.
THE CENTER LINE
The departures of Phillip Danault and Jesperi Kotkaniemi brought back to the table a problem that was believed to be finally resolved after nearly a decade of misery: depth in the center. Bergevin closed part of the breach by acquiring Christian Dvorak. The latter will occupy the position of second center behind Nick Suzuki. The rest is more nebulous. Jake Evans leaves with a head start for the pivot position of the third line. But we’re talking about an athlete who only has 60 games of NHL experience. Where is Ryan Poehling in his development? He had a good end to the campaign in Laval, but can he get a regular NHL job? To do this, the 22-year-old American will have to dislodge Cédric Paquette. The passage of the Gaspésien in Ottawa and Carolina was not convincing, but it delivered proud services to the Lightning.
OTHER STRUGGLES IN ATTACK
Due to the limits of the salary cap, Bergevin had to start the last season with 21 players. The cushion offered by Weber’s long-term absence should allow him, this time, to present a formation of 23 players. Therefore, there will be a fight, every match, for a place in the fourth line. In the name of Poehling and Paquette, we can add that of Mathieu Perreault, able to evolve in the wing and in the center. One evening, Artturi Lehkonen or Joel Armia could very well pass his turn. Evans is not immune to an evening on the catwalk either.
OTHER OPTIONS ON THE BLUE LINE
Joel Edmundson, Jeff Petry, Romanov, Savard and Chiarot. This quintet should be entrenched in the blue line of the Canadian. However, the position of sixth defender is open. Brett Kulak has offered honest performances since arriving in Montreal. However, in acquiring Chris Wideman, Bergevin gave his coach one more option. Same thing with the professional test granted to Cody Goloubef. And what about young Kaiden Guhle and Mattias Norlinder? Could one of them start the season in the NHL?
THE RETURN OF DROUIN
We have seen it on TVA Sports and RDS: Jonathan Drouin seems more serene than ever. His return in full possession of his physical and mental means will be an addition and an asset for the Habs. Ducharme confirmed he would use it on the wing. With who ? The chemistry seemed to be working well with Suzuki and Josh Anderson at the start of last season. On the other hand, the 26-year-old striker’s ease in making plays and Cole Caufield’s touch near the opposing net could certainly be an interesting combination.
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