Canadiens Prospects With Most To Prove At Rookie Camp

The Montreal Canadiens are getting a significant influx of youth this fall, making for one of the most interesting Rookie Camps in years.

The Canadiens now boast one of the deepest pools in the NHL, possessing a wide array of different types of prospects; both in style and position. Even after cutting a few older prospects loose this summer, the competition is expected to be quite high this time around, with the likes of Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, Florian Xhekaj and more attending camp.

However, for some prospects, this rookie camp will be of utmost importance in not only establishing their status within the organization’s hierarchy, but possibly stealing a roster spot at the Canadiens’ main camp.

Lane Hutson With The Canadiens This Fall?

Lane Hutson has been the talk of the town ever since he was selected 62nd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal. After an impressive collegiate career at Boston University, Hutson finished the season with the Montreal Canadiens in April, notching two assists in two games against the Detroit Red Wings.

This was always going to be an important camp for Hutson in his quest to crack the NHL roster. But, after the Canadiens traded away both Johnathan Kovacevic and Jordan Harris this summer, Hutson’s path to the NHL just opened up in a big way.

ON TOPIC: Canadiens Prospect Rankings – Lane Hutson The Phenom

Hutson’s blend of elite hockey IQ and skills would make a great addition to the Canadiens’ blue line, should he prove himself capable of handling the defensive side of the game and withstanding the physical elements, too.

The need to develop that momentum, from Rookie Camp to the Montreal Canadiens’ main Training Camp, is essential for him to start the evaluation process on the right foot. Heading into Rookie Camp, all eyes will be on Hutson to stand out in a big way and assert himself as a key contender to steal a roster spot out of camp and begin the year in Montreal.

Filip Mesar: Time to Shine

After two average seasons with the Kitchener Rangers, Filip Mesar will be expected to take his game up a notch or two, now that he is turning pro this year. Despite great international performances for Slovakia at the World Junior Championships, the offensive output that was expected of Mesar never truly came together in the OHL on a consistent basis.

That being said, Mesar’s two-way game did grow considerably during that time, with Kitchener opting to use him at centre to finish off the year. Mesar did finish his junior career on a high note, leading the OHL in playoff scoring with one goal and 16 points in just 10 games,  prior to Kitchener’s elimination.

For Mesar to not only reassert his place in the Canadiens’ plans, but also his status as a top prospect meriting top minutes with the Laval Rocket this season, he’s going to need to show more flash and talent. Especially as the Montreal Canadiens are admittedly looking to get bigger as an organization, Mesar’s opportunity to make himself indispensable is right now.

Riley Kidney: Getting Lost in the Shuffle?

Riley Kidney had a very rough rookie season in the AHL, filled with some pretty great highs and some unfortunately bad lows.

After ripping up the QMJHL in scoring for the Acadie-Bathurst Titans and the Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL, Kidney had trouble finding a spot in the overcrowded Laval Rocket lineup last season.

And, when he was utilized, it was done in a checking role, often playing on the third or fourth line, which is not his game in the slightest. For Kidney to be effective, he must play on the top three lines with some power play time, which is something that was hard to come by last season.

And that ice time might be even harder to come by this season.

With the influx of bigger and stronger forwards like Luke Tuch and Florian Xhekaj to take those bottom-six roles in Laval, Kidney will have to separate himself from the pack with his talent to get more playing time.

At 21-years-old, a mediocre camp from Kidney could cause him to get lost in the shuffle of the strong influx of prospects that are set to join the Canadiens farm team in the next two years. The time is now to make an impact.

Jakub Dobeš: The Montreal Canadiens Insurance Policy

After a very shaky start to his pro career with the Laval Rocket, Jakub Dobeš seemed to find his groove in the AHL last year; ending the season with a record-breaking 51 starts as a rookie.

His strong second-half of the season gave the Canadiens hope that their goal tending pipeline was in good hands, especially after they had signed veteran Kasimir Kaskisuo to help carry the load.

The strong performances of Dobeš, Jacob Fowler and Quentin Miller is one of the main reasons why the Montreal Canadiens didn’t pay the big price to acquire Yaroslav Askarov, but Dobes needs to continue where he left off.

But that’s a slippery slope for Dobeš, as Jacob Fowler is seen as one of the most impressive goaltending prospects outside the NHL. Fowler could likely be turning pro by the spring of 2025, meaning he and Dobeš will be battling directly for ice time as early as next season.

With a year to prepare for that battle, Dobeš needs to hit the ground running right away this rookie camp and assert himself as the top young goaltender available and take that momentum with him to Laval.

It will not only help his standing within the Canadiens’ hierarchy, but it will also go a long way in planting the seed of an eventual call-up to Montreal in case injuries arise.