Habs Daily: First-Line Dach, Mesar’s Strong Start, Demidov

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

Montreal Canadiens News

It’s no secret the top six has struggled to produce encouraging possession numbers this season. The bottom six, on the other hand, has been excellent. On that note, head coach Martin St-Louis used second-line centre Kirby Dach on the top line at practice on Monday. Dach, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki played well when they were on the same line two years ago, so there’s some logic to the approach, but it certainly monopolizes the talent on a team that lacks depth. It would also mean a reduction in ice time for Juraj Slafkovsky, but at this point it’s only fair to say a change may be necessary. [Montreal Canadiens Forward Lines A Good And Bad News Situation]

Reporter: “Kirby Dach is taking Juraj Slafkovsky’s spot (today on the 1st line). Is that an opportunity for you to see what he can possibly do…?”

Coach Marty St. Louis: “Yeah I don’t know. We don’t know about tomorrow…so we’ll see. I’m not afraid to change lines if we’re… pic.twitter.com/IrZIsveq4a

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) October 21, 2024

Filip Mesar’s play in the OHL wasn’t as good as some expected, but we also have to remember he was used to playing professional hockey before he was asked to return to an amateur setting. Now that he’s playing with teammates that have a little more talent and experience under their belt, Mesar’s results matter much more. With that in mind, he’s off to a solid start in the AHL this year, with five points in four games, good enough to lead the Laval Rocket in scoring. He also set up prospect Owen Beck for his first professional goal, a very nice play that featured an engaged Mesar, exactly what the Habs want to see from him in a professional setting.  [Habs Prospect Report: Mesar Off To Great Start, Beck’s First]

Don’t look now, but top prospect Ivan Demidov has a three-game scoring streak in the KHL. He’s no longer being relegated to the fourth line, which comes with a much-needed boost in ice time. With his assist on Monday versus Vityaz, Demidov now has five goals and six assists in 18 games for SKA Saint Petersburg. [Canadiens Instant Recap: Mailloux Scores First, Caufield Stays Hot]

Suzuki, Logan Mailloux, and Jake Evans addressed the media after Monday’s practice. Suzuki is not happy with his overall play, though we all know he’s the type of player who always wants to do more. There’s a sense of urgency in place, but we haven’t reached the point where anyone is panicking.

ICYMI: Our excellent community of Habs fans established the starting list that will be used for the weekly Montreal Canadiens Prospect Rankings. Over 90 percent of the votes had Russian forward Ivan Demidov as the team’s top prospect. Thanks to his excellent start in the NCAA, Michael Hage nabbed the No.2 spot. [Top 20 Montreal Canadiens Prospects Voted By Habs Fans]

National Hockey Now Network

Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere announced on Monday morning that prospect defenceman Emil Andrae was re-assigned to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, indicating that veteran rearguard Nick Seeler is closing in on a return to the lineup at long last. [Philadelphia Flyers]

If you knew the Florida Panthers would be without Sasha Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk for five games, then play down a man in a game between the past two Stanley Cup champions, odds would be against them finding much success. [Detroit Red Wings]

No one has played more games than the New Jersey Devils this season. Currently, they sit atop the NHL in both games played (eight) and in the standings (11 points), holding first overall in the NHL, Eastern conference and the Metropolitan Division. That should indicate that they’re firing on all cylinders, alluding to a strong start for the Devils. And although that might be half true, the Devils’ head coach has already expressed concern with the team’s performance on home ice. [New Jersey Devils]