The Biggest Omissions From Canadiens Rookie Camp

The Montreal Canadiens are set to open rookie camp on September 11, but there will be some big names missing on the roster sheet.

It’s always a fun time when the first two weeks of September roll around, because it means that hockey season is just on the horizon.

As players make their way back into town to skate and prepare themselves for a gruelling training camp, the prospects instead take centre stage in various rookie camps across the league.

The Montreal Canadiens will have an impressive list of young prospects attending camp this year, with names like Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Owen Beck, Logan Mailloux and more set to take the ice.

It’s an impressive cohort of youngsters that fans are hoping will help propel the team beyond the fate, projected by NHL betting odds, of finishing in the bottom-10 of the NHL standings.

Despite the significant amount of talent attending camp this year, there are some notable omissions from the Canadiens’ roster list this year that won’t be attending rookie camp for various reasons.

Here’s why:

Ivan Demidov Doing His Thing

This one is almost self-explanatory. Ivan Demidov is currently playing for SKA in the KHL at the moment and doesn’t have a valid entry-level contract (ELC) with the Montreal Canadiens. Due to the lack of transfer agreement between the two leagues, Demidov will stay in Russia for the last year of his contract.

Check Out – Top Canadiens Prospect Ivan Demidov Scores Great Goals

Demidov has already shown great things in the opening game of the KHL seasons for SKA, logging over 14 minutes of ice time and registering an assist on the opening goal. Next year. it will be Demidov’s time to shine, which means fans will have to be patient for just a little bit longer to see him at camp.

Oliver Kapanen Eyeing a Montreal Canadiens Roster Spot

The 21-year-old forward signed his three-year ELC this summer, but will be skipping rookie camp altogether, in order to prepare for the Montreal Canadiens’ main camp. The decision was reportedly taken between the player and the organization, as Kapanen is also in the midst of training camp for Timra in the SHL at the moment.

Having already suited up for many pre-season games and training vigorously all summer, Oliver Kapanen‘s goal is to crack the Canadiens’ roster. If he doesn’t manage to steal a spot, he must go back to Timra, according to the NHL’s European Transfer Agreement.

Given that limitation, his absence from rookie camp is pretty understandable.

The Montreal Canadiens NCAA Cohort

Like every year, NCAA-based players are prohibited from attending an NHL rookie camp or training camp, per the limitations imposed at the collegiate level. That means top prospects like Jacob Fowler, Michael Hage and Logan Sawyer will not be able to attend this year’s rookie camp either.

It’s especially disappointing for Fowler, whom many view as one of the top-5 best goaltending prospects in the game today. His presence would have made the goaltending battle that much more interesting, throwing the existing goalie hierarchy into chaos.

As for Hage, anytime you can see a first-round pick at rookie camp, it’s going to be a treat for the fans. As he continues to mature in the NCAA over the next year or two, fans will have to remain patient; but the payoff may very well be worth it in the end.

Bogdan Konyushkov Biding His Time

Similarly to Demidov, Bogdan Konyushkov has a valid contract in the KHL for another two seasons and has not signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens.

The 21-year-old is set to play his third season for Torpedo in the KHL and, despite being stripped of his captaincy by way of a yearly player vote, is still expected to log top minutes for the club.