Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Martin St. Louis, Juraj Slafkovsky, Jonathan Drouin, Mathieu Perreault, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The start of the season is approaching as the Canadiens hold their annual golf tournament on Monday at Club Laval-sur-le-Lac. Martin St. Louis will be in charge of his first training camp as a professional hockey coach.
“I prepared myself. I’ll see what works and what doesn’t as the camp progresses. Everything is in place for the players. I feel very confident,” St. Louis told Le Journal de Montreal newspaper on Saturday.
It will be difficult for the Canadiens to clinch a playoff spot, but the coach expects that the team takes a step forward. After finishing in last place in 2021-22 with 55 points, it’s hard to imagine things going even worse this season.
“The important thing for me is that we are ready for the start of the season and that we have a good start. Expectations could gradually change if the results are interesting, but for sure we will improve. However, I cannot say to what extent. Are we going to take a big or a small step forward? We’ll see,” St. Louis said.
Rookie Camp Roster
On Sunday, the Canadiens announced the roster for this year’s rookie camp. A total of 15 forwards, 10 defencemen and three goalies will report for medicals and physical testing at the Bell Sports Complex. The complete roster can be found below.
fileThe squad led by Jean-Francois Houle and his coaching staff will head to Buffalo to participate in the 2022 Prospects Challenge. The Canadiens prospects will face off against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, the New Jersey Devils on Friday, and Ottawa Senators on Sunday. Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins prospects will also participate in the Prospects Challenge.
Rookie camp will conclude with two practices in Brossard on Monday, Sept. 19th and Tuesday, Sep. 20th.
Slafkovsky Ready for NHL
Juraj Slafkovsky participated last week in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Washington. When asked, the 18-year old said that his goal is to start the season in the NHL, but he will play wherever the organization feels is best for his development.
“Physically, he is ready for the National Hockey League. As to whether he will play in Montreal this year, we will make a decision that will serve his interests and those of the Canadiens,” said St. Louis.
Former NHL defenceman Craig Ramsay coached Slafkovksky during several international hockey competitions and he’s certain on where the prospect should play.
“I imagine him in the NHL. This is where I would use him. He is quite big and strong and he skates well. In addition, the Canadiens are in a rebuild. They will be able to be patient with young players and develop them well,” Ramsay told Le Journal de Montreal.
Vincent Lecavalier reached out to Ramsay two times before the draft and each conversation lasted about 45 minutes. The former NHL defenceman is a fan of the Canadiens selection.
“He has a lot of talent, but also a great personality. You want to surround yourself with players like him. He always smiles, he remains positive, but he also listens to your recommendations. He wants to learn and he’s not afraid to make adjustments in his game.”
New Number for Drouin
On Friday, Canadiens announced that Jonathan Drouin will switch from jersey number 92 to number 27. The number became available after Alexander Romanov was traded to the New York Islanders.
Drouin wore 27 with the Tampa Bay Lightning before switching to 92 when he got traded to Montreal as the number was occupied by Alex Galchenuyk.
Last week, Kent Hughes said that he’s hoping that Drouin will be ready to start the season after undergoing wrist surgery in April. The 27-year old is on the final year of his current contract.
Perreault Retires
Former Canadiens forward Mathieu Perreault announced his retirement on Thursday following 708 game career with the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks, Winnipeg Jets, and Montreal Canadiens.
The forward told BPM Sports radio that his four-goal game with the Winnipeg Jets and the hat trick in the Canadiens jersey as his best memories of his NHL career.
When Perreault was asked about his former team, he was optimistic about the future. “It will be a team that will be fun to follow. I hung up my skates but I will continue to follow hockey, and the Canadiens have the potential to do something good sooner than we think.”
The Canadiens may potentially announce the team’s next captain on Monday during the golf tournament. Nick Suzuki is one of the candidates to have the ‘C’ added to his jersey.
“Nick is ready to wear it and he can be supported by [Joel Edmundson] at same time. I think it will be a good transition to give it to him now, and he can follow the foot steps of the leaders in the room,” Perreault said when asked about Suzuki.
Listen to the Canadiens Connection podcast
Making a splash at the Draft came with some risk. But Kent Hughes is willing to wager on Kirby Dach and a fresh start to his career!
Here’s a brand new episode of the Canadiens Connection podcast!
Listen in the player below, share and subscribe!
By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
Copyright © 2022 Rocket Sports
===
salut-bien chers amis allhabs,
merci pour les notes
“willing to take a chance with kirby dach?”,hughes
okay.but not at the expense of losing CH27
alex romanov,,,.
alex was one of our best players last season,despite the deception and the undeperforming.heart/soul.played his heart out.was proud to wear the CH.this was his team!!!how is he rewarded?
cannott agree with this one.kent and companie gave one away.a big one!
needlessly,,,
portez-vous bien
a bientot
familleCH,toujours
malgres le tout
Comments are closed.