After a training camp lasting just a week and a half and five preseason games—including two nights of split-squad games—the time had come for the Montreal Canadiens’ management to make tough decisions or opt for easy solutions.
The Habs’ front office appears to have chosen to keep forward Florian Xhekaj and defenseman Adam Engström on the roster to start the season.
Due to the camp’s format, the Canadiens had cut only 12 players ahead of their final preseason games on Saturday night, after initially inviting 57.
The Canadiens finally announced mid-afternoon on Sunday that forwards Owen Beck, Dillan Bentley, Laurent Dauphin, Jared Davidson, Filip Mesar, and Tyler Thorpe had been assigned to the Laval Rocket, along with defensemen Luke Mittelstadt, Owen Protz, and David Reinbacher, as well as goaltender Jacob Fowler.
Meanwhile, forwards Alex Belzile, Brett Berard, Hunter McKown, Sasha Pastujov, and Samuel Poulin; defensemen Ethan Samson, Reilly Walsh, and Maksymilian Szuber; and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen were placed on waivers with the intention of being assigned to the Rocket on Monday if they are not claimed by the other 31 NHL teams.
This leaves only 23 healthy players at the Canadiens’ training camp—the limit allowed across the NHL as of 5 p.m. on Monday.
Xhekaj therefore seems to have impressed the Canadiens’ management enough to start the season with the big club. However, it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be in uniform for the season opener on Tuesday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs, or if he’ll simply be a reserve.
Regardless, Xhekaj will certainly be proud of his achievement.
“I think I’ve shown what I can bring to the team and why I should be here,” he said after the Canadiens’ 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
“It would be a dream come true,” he continued, referring to the possibility of starting the season in the NHL. “That’s the goal I’ve been working hard toward all summer—that’s why you make sacrifices. So this would be a kind of relief, but also a reward.”
Xhekaj, who was given a five-game tryout with the Canadiens last season, appeared committed every time he stepped onto the ice during camp. He showed that he can do more than just play the tough guy.
“He has no identity issues. He knows what he brings to the table, and he’s been consistent about it throughout camp,” St-Louis said Saturday night about the younger of the Xhekaj brothers.
While the Canadiens’ front office made some fans happy by keeping Xhekaj, many will be disappointed to see Engström chosen over Reinbacher. Reinbacher played with confidence during training camp, while Engström was often pushed around in his zone.
However, Engström’s time with the Habs may be short-lived, and he may well settle for a backup role before being sent back to the Rocket.
Defenseman Kaiden Guhle is still recovering from adductor muscle surgery he underwent on August 10. He did, however, resume training with his teammates last week and could return to action in the coming days or weeks.
This means, however, that while waiting for Guhle’s return, the Canadiens could start the season with Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble in the lineup, even though both had an up-and-down training camp. Engström could serve as a backup, while Reinbacher will play an important role with the Rocket.
Montembeault proved reliable
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes had stated before training camp that he did not plan to start the season with three goaltenders, and at this position, the easiest solution also turned out to be the most logical one.
Samuel Montembeault was solid throughout training camp, allowing only one goal on 35 shots in three half-games. He confirmed that he has regained his form after a disastrous season last winter.
Jakub Dobes is expected to get the first start against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday and begin the season as the starting goaltender, having shone late in the regular season and during the playoffs last spring. Montembeault should also get his share of starts if he continues to play well.
Fowler, who was the only one of the three goalies not required to be placed on waivers to other NHL teams in order to be assigned to the American Hockey League, will therefore begin the season with the Rocket.
The 21-year-old American played two half-games during training camp and allowed three goals on 28 shots. However, he didn’t have enough time to prove that he should unquestionably become the Canadiens’ go-to goalie right away.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
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