Habs Daily: Roster Construction, Possible Camp Cuts, Hutson

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on the weekend.

Montreal Canadiens News

The Montreal Canadiens appear to have few lineup spots available, but the makeup of their roster is still open and could make for an interesting conclusion to training camp. [Canadiens Roster Composition Complicated By Outside Factors]

The Habs broke down the 59 players attending training camp into three groups. The first group features the top line of Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield, in addition to the Xhekaj brothers, whereas the second group includes many of the team’s top defensive prospects, including Lane Hutson, Adam Engstrom, and Logan Mailloux. The third team is clearly the players set to be among the first cuts, including a prospect who is yet to find his rhythm since graduating to professional hockey.  [Canadiens Groups At Training Camp Give Insight To First Cuts]

The Xhekaj brothers being included in the same group means there’s a possibility we’ll have a double dose of Xhekaj for a preseason game in the near future.

Reporter: “Who will be the most nervous, your mom or your dad for the first preseason game?”

Florian Xhekaj: “Probably mom.”

Arber Xhekaj: “I don’t know, mom or dad. It’s gonna be cool having the A. Xhekaj on the jersey & he has the F. Xhekaj. So I’m excited for it.” pic.twitter.com/GK2PfyCiZu

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 22, 2024

We don’t know if phenom Lane Hutson necessarily will start the season in the NHL, but given how he’s played at camp, it’s clear he’s one of the most talented players in the lineup. That being said, if the Canadiens are truly running a meritocracy, Hutson deserves a roster spot.

Lane Hutson with some absolute lunar sauce 🌕🥫 pic.twitter.com/6TkfLVrCsp

— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) September 21, 2024

Head coach Martin St-Louis doesn’t love dealing with the media, but he understands the importance of a clear line of communication.

This is a great quote by coach Marty St. Louis from episode 2 of The Rebuild, the new Habs documentary:

“It’s definitely demanding (doing so many press conferences) but I know I’m not talking to the media, I’m talking to the public. Communication with our fans is very important.… pic.twitter.com/OY25VbZUzm

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 22, 2024

Prospect Tyler Thorpe enjoyed a strong training camp with the Habs. He stood out on a line with Luke Tuch and Florian Xhekaj, two older players with significantly more experience. The agile giant scored 23 goals and 21 assists in 51 games for the Vancouver Giants last year, leading to the Habs picking him in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He’s off to a strong start to his third WHL season, earning three points in two games, including an game-winning goal in overtime.

C’EST LA VIE!@CanadiensMTL prospect Tyler Thorpe nets the WHOA-vertime winner for the @WHLGiants! pic.twitter.com/OM6o52Pxc9

— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 21, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

Adam and Jesper Boqvist live close enough to one another now that they get to carpool to work with the Florida Panthers. A few months ago, they did not think that would have been possible. Yet within the span of a week in July, the two signed separate contracts with the Panthers. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

In the moments following the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup, Paul Maurice says he missed all the good stuff. Blame it on the media. It was sheer madness on the ice following Florida’s 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7, and all the different NHL reporters wanted a moment of Maurice’s time to get a glimpse into what this hockey lifer was feeling after such a momentous victory. [Florida Panthers]

When it comes to playing Detroit Red Wings preseason games, Ville Husso may have priority status. He should be in Group 1 when coach Derek Lalonde loads the lineup. [Detroit Red Wings]