Canadiens Defence Situation Leads To Fun Training Camp Battles

There are 17 defencemen present at the Montreal Canadiens training camp, but only roughly half of the blueliners have a realistic opportunity to earn a job in the NHL.

Once we add the players who require waivers to the lineup (Mike Matheson, David Savard, and Justin Barron), the build of the defensive core already starts to take shape.

Some may argue Barron is not quite ready for a permanent NHL assignment, and there’s merit to that argument, but we do know Kent Hughes is not willing to lose a right-handed defenceman, as it’s already a position of relative weakness when assessing the blue line. William Trudeau may become the team’s best call-up option down the line, but for now, we’re going to remove him from the running as he simply did not play well enough last year to be considered ahead of some highly-touted defensive prospects in the organization.

Montreal Canadiens Camp Battles – Defencemen Options

The first thing that stands out is that either David Reinbacher or Logan Mailloux is in a very good position to earn a roster spot. However, we also have to consider Kaiden Guhle may end up being used on his offside once again. Personally, I don’t love the assignment, as it mitigates Guhle’s value in transition, not to mention his ability to quickly corral pucks, but such is life on a rebuilding team.

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It’s also quite clear that Lane Hutson is essentially ready to make his NHL debut in earnest. Not only did he look very good in his two-game audition to close out the 2023-24 season, he was also miles better than any other player during the team’s rookie camp.

Everyone has to earn their job, and Hutson will have to play well at camp and in preseason to cement his spot, but despite the fact that he does not require waivers to head to the AHL, I have a very hard time suggesting he should start the season with the Laval Rocket. Perhaps the team will send him there temporarily, so he can absorb as many important shifts as possible while the Habs attempt to make space on the blue line, but if this is a meritocracy, Hutson will be in the lineup when the Canadiens face the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 9.

Montreal Canadiens Camp Battles  – Projecting The Habs Blue Line

With all due respect to Jayden Struble, when he was used in the same situation as Arber Xhekaj last year, his numbers paled in comparison. Therefore, I have no issues proposing Xhekaj is the clear-cut best option to play on the third pairing. I’d go as far as saying Xhekaj is one of the best third-pairing defencemen in the league, both according to his statistics and his style of play, but I digress.

If we continue to assume Guhle will play on the right, the defensive situation is a little more clear. It would also lead to fewer opportunities for Reinbacher and Mailloux, but we have to remember that just because Barron requires waivers doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a lock for the lineup. Watching games as a healthy scratch could be in the cards, especially if Reinbacher or Mailloux plays well enough to earn a roster spot.

ON TOPIC: Top Prospect David Reinbacher’s Complicated Season In Europe

Things can change, but for now we’re looking at six jobs that are essentially spoken for, with one opening to be filled, either by a right or left-handed defenceman. And while Adam Engstrom isn’t necessarily the player who most assumed would be the rookie defenceman closest to earning a job in the NHL, his play at the rookie camp did a great job reminding everyone that he’s been playing professional hockey since 2022, giving him an inside track on the competition.