Montreal Canadiens Camp Notes

Zero win in eight games (0-6-2). This is the Canadian’s sad record for this warm-up calendar. To use the words of a wise old man, we don’t fear regular camp, but it’s still a taste of a tough season on the horizon.

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In another sport and another era, the Expos won the Grapefruit League more often. But grapefruit juice doesn’t turn into champagne at the end of the year. We should apply the same logic to CH’s record in this restless camp.

But the clouds of smoke are clearly visible. The Habs are a rebuilding team and wins will be rare in the 2022-2023 season. Fans have to get used to it. Patience, something often lacking in Montreal, is key.

News magazine Shows the winners and losers of the final camp under various categories.

revelation

Kaiden Guhle

There are no doubts about his talent and ability. Long before camp, we could already predict that he would be knocking on the team’s door for a spot in the top six on the blue line. But there was never a real problem. Guhle won the battle between the young contenders in the defensive squad. Former Edmonton Oil Kings and Prince Albert Raiders Mike Matheson is probably the best defenseman in this camp along with a more experienced player.

Frauds

Justin Barron

With Joel Edmondson’s back injury, Barron has more to lose than gain. Barron, acquired in Arturi Lehkonen’s trade with the Colorado Avalanche, has been very consistent in this camp. Kent Hughes wisely chose not to recover with him. The Canadiens general manager called on defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic of the Winnipeg Jets for reinforcements on the right side of the blue line. Baron, who turns 21 on November 15, will continue his apprenticeship with the Laval racket.

Cayden Primeau

On paper, we believed in a battle between Primeau and Samuel Montembelt for the number two spot behind Jake Allen. After shining during the Rockets’ long run in the playoffs last year, Primeau hasn’t kept up his momentum in the CH camp. He looked like a confident goalie on his heels last winter in Montreal. In Keith’s son’s defense, he hasn’t played well in front of the defensive wall this camp. In Laval, the 7th round pick will have the opportunity to make several plays and block several pucks. This is exactly what he needs.

Matthias Norlinder

Marc Bergevin said in his days as GM that forcing management’s hand was on young players. Norlinder did not understand this principle. The Swede donned his ghost outfit for the rookie tournament in Buffalo, rookie camp and the actual team camp. He’s either too far from the NHL or he doesn’t realize what he needs to accomplish to be there.

surprise

Arbor Xhekaj

The beautiful story of the camp is called Arber Shekaz. The first few days of the rookie tournament in Buffalo, we still had to check the spelling of his last name. But we ended up remembering it. And it is still imprinted in our brains. Xhekaj seized his opportunity by playing a solid game from the first to the last day of the camp. Ontarian has said more than once that not only is he a big guy, he can also play good hockey by restarting the game well and with good passes. He proved that in this camp, but he will have to be at the same pace now.

young man

Juraj Slafkowski

Montreal or Laval? Slafkowski had two destinations. The class leader of the 2022 draft will make his North American debut in a Canadiens jersey. The Slovak has a very honest side that doesn’t upset everything in his path. In Montreal, he benefits from the advice of Martin Saint-Louis on a daily basis.