A hard apprenticeship The Journal of Montreal

The fascinating thing about training camp is that more often than not you jump to conclusions. However, the schedule of warm-up matches sometimes contains surprises, but, in the end, when it came time to make a list of 20 players who will participate in the first match of the season, there were very few newcomers.

But this season is different.

Why? There are many gaps in the defenders.

On offense, there will always be questions about whether Juraj Slafkowski has what it takes to compete at the National League level.

The answer is yes, but when?

Owen Beck was a big surprise, but he will return to the junior ranks because the roster already has several centers with National League contracts. Emil Heinemann also attracted the attention of the organization’s decision makers.

Philip Messer performed well in Toronto. But clearly, in attack, there are very few positions to fill.

Defensively, it’s very interesting. We inevitably have to hand over important responsibilities to the younger aspirants of the organization. Kaiden Guhle, barring an unforeseen development, could argue that Jordan Harris will be there…as well as Arbor Shekaz, surprise.

Justin Barron had a position to lose and he didn’t take the means to keep it.

Harris’ file gets attention because one asks him to develop/move on the right flank of the defensive brigade, a new experiment for the former university player. He occupied this position on Wednesday with Shekaz on his left.

Some feel he shouldn’t undergo such a change, especially when he faces National League players. If we want to make him a right-handed defender, why not give him a chance to perfect his game…