Habs Daily: Projecting The Canadiens Roster, Xhekaj, Waivers

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

Montreal Canadiens News

The preseason mercifully came to an end on Saturday, making it one of the least useful tune-ups in recent Montreal Canadiens history. The Senators beat the Habs 4-3 on Saturday night, in a game that was much less tumultuous than when they met earlier in the week. [Canadiens Instant Recap: Xhekaj Fights Again In Preseason Finale]

The Senators recalled tough guy Zack MacEwen in an attempt to find someone that could match Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj in the physicality department. MacEwen did convince Xhekaj to fight, but it was an easy win for the Sheriff.  [GOTTA SEE IT: Canadiens Arber Xhekaj Fights Zack MacEwen]

With the start of the season right around the corner, we published our projected Canadiens lineup for the 2024-25 season, which features 14 forwards and seven defencemen. Prospect Oliver Kapanen does indeed make the team in our projection.  [Projecting The 2024-25 Montreal Canadiens Opening Roster]

Speaking of Kapanen, if the Habs include him in the lineup there’s no rush to return him to the SHL, as his entry-level contract will kick in no matter where he plays this season.  [Oliver Kapanen’s Contract Situation Improves Roster Odds]

There were a few interesting names added to the waiver wire on Sunday, including 2019 first-round picks Jakob Pelletier and Ryan Suzuki. Additionally, the Edmonton Oilers placed Raphael Lavoie on waivers as well, using the busiest waivers day of the year to try to sneak him back to the AHL.  [First-Round Picks Available To Montreal Canadiens On Waivers]

The rebuild has a lot riding on the development of their prospects, and the growth of their youth in Laval at the centre of it all. The Canadiens will already be counting on the development of more mature prospects like Joshua Roy and Oliver Kapanen at the NHL level, but the true work will be happening with the Laval Rocket. [Canadiens Prospects That Have Most To Prove In Laval]

National Hockey Now Network

The Pittsburgh Penguins trimmed their roster by two Sunday, waiving defenceman Sebastian Aho and minor league tough guy Boko Imama. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

The Columbus Blue Jackets swept a player on a professional tryout contract (PTO) from right under the feet of the New Jersey Devils. On Saturday, the Blue Jackets announced they signed forward Kevin Labanc to a one-year, one-way contract. The deal is worth $775,000. [New Jersey Devils]

One of the most interesting and anticipated training camp battles for the Washington Capitals has been in the crease. Charlie Lindgren took over as the face between the pipes for the club last season, and Darcy Kuemper was eventually dealt in the offseason to the Los Angeles Kings for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. Not too long later, then-general manager Brian MacLellan acquired netminder Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights. [Washington Capitals]