The Montreal Canadiens practiced at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard today and they were split in two telling groups.
After a young iteration of the Montreal Canadiens lost a close game 2-1 against many tried and tested NHLers in Toronto last night, the Habs practiced in Brossard at 12:15 PM ET today.
There were two groups today, one clearly destined for the NHL and the other for the AHL. Martin St-Louis is not wasting any time this season. He knows who he's keeping and who he wants to play with. He wants to hit the ground running when the puck drops on the season in a week and a half.
On the ice this afternoon, we saw the lines we've been used to since the start of camp:
Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Juraj Slafkovsky
Alex Newhook-Kirby Dach-Patrik Laine
Joshua Roy-Christian Dvorak-Josh Anderson
Brendan Gallagher-Jake Evans-Joel Armia
On the backend, there were no big surprises either. There's a new name on the board, but his presence was as predictable as the ending to a romantic comedy:
Mike Matheson-Jayden Struble
Lane Hutson-David Savard
Arber Xhekaj-Justin Barron
Hutson lining up with everyone's big brother, Savard, would always be the gameplay. Struble with Matheson tells me the former is a placeholder for Kaiden Guhle, while Xhekaj and Barron can work on a partnership that will stick if things go according to plan.
Both Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher were practising with the AHL group which makes sense. Even though they both have more pro experience than Hutson, the NCAA graduate is more suited to NHL play and no one will make me think otherwise. Sure he needs to learn to pick his moments better and know his plays won't work as easily as it did at lower levels, but he doesn't need to be roughed up by career AHLers.
As for Oliver Kapanen, he didn't take to the ice and had a therapy day. Michael Pezzetta and Alex Barre-Boulet also practiced with the NHL group. It looks like the extra forwards for now, and it makes sense since they both would have to clear waivers to go down to Laval.
When Guhle is all better health-wise, it will be interesting to see if the Canadiens decide to keep a seventh defenseman around or send one down to Laval since they wouldn't need to clear waivers. Sending a blueliner down would at least defer a tough decision, as one must be made when Rafael Harvey-Pinard is ready to join the team.
As for Kapanen and Owen Beck, the young forwards who made the best impression, it looks like they won't make the cut just yet. Unless, of course, Kent Hughes elects to trade someone, but as always, that's easier said than done. Beck should be sent to Laval, and Kapanen should be returned to Sweden. Should an injury occur, Beck would be called up while the Finn would keep honing his skills in the SHL.
Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau were the two goalies skating with the NHL group, not that anyone expected otherwise.
There is no word yet on what lineup will face the Leafs on Saturday night at the Bell Centre, but it should be similar to the full version of the Canadiens.
