We already know that the Canadian will return in mid-September for his traditional golf tournament, but we don’t know what that team will consist of. Here are five things to do before the school year starts.
Samuel Montembault
The 29-year-old goalkeeper is said to have already made it clear that he doesn’t want to end up in a front three again, but at the time of writing, anything is possible. Up to 1is In July we could count at least two teams on the verge of despair in front of goal, one in Toronto and the other in Edmonton, but they have since hired for the position, which still reduces the Canadian’s options regarding a possible trade involving the Quebec goaltender. Jacob Fowler could always return to Laval, but he remains a top prospect in the organization’s eyes, and in the meantime, Montembeault still finds himself in the position of being the one in surplus, which could become a distraction.
Kirby Duch
PHOTO BY DAVID BOYLEY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Kirby Duch
At least Duch and the Canadian managed to avoid arbitration on Thursday, agreeing to a new one-year contract worth US$3.6 million. The day before, the 25-year-old football player received a qualifying offer for a large amount ($4 million), but from two sides. Our impression is that the Canadian has just bought himself a little more time to make a decision on Dach, who could therefore become an unrestricted free agent and leave in a year. The problem is that we still don’t know who Kirby Duch is. Center? Probably not. A productive winger who can play on the team’s first two lines? May be. However, we know that Dach is often injured and that the upcoming season will be absolutely decisive for his immediate future.
Second center
PHOTO DOMINIC GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Oliver Kapanen
Of course, everyone understands that a second-tier center can’t be found at the snap of a finger, but if nothing changes, the Canadian will start the season with Oliver Kapanen, Jake Evans or perhaps Alex Newhook at that position as well. Not ideal. One might think that the hope here lies with Kapanen and his potential. He still scored 22 goals last season but fell apart after the Olympic break to the point where he was sidelined for the final 17 games, including the playoffs. There is undoubtedly a scenario in which the Finnish striker comes into his own – he turns 23 in a few days – and perhaps Kapanen can prove himself as an adequate central player while awaiting the arrival of Michael Hage. Either way, he remains the best option at the position for now, which may not be a good thing.
Is David Reinbacher ready?
PHOTO DOMINIC GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
David Reinbacher
1is July came and went, and the Canadian couldn’t find that right-handed wizard to come and lend a helping hand to the blue line, even in the transaction market. This brings us to general manager Kent Hughes’ hidden card: David Reinbacher. Of course, the guy who was drafted 5th overall is never “hiding” because of expectations, but let’s throw out that fantasy scenario anyway: What if he’s the right-handed defenseman the club needs? Injured too often, the 21-year-old hasn’t progressed as expected in the American League in Laval, but if he were to show up for training camp and play the way the Canadian hoped after the 2023 draft, Christmas would have come early in Brossard.
A veteran, perhaps?
PHOTO BY CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Martin St. Louis on the Canadiens bench
There was much praise, and with good reason, for the leadership the Carolina Hurricanes showed last spring, especially among the club’s veterans, and then, as luck would have it, it was the 37-year-old who achieved success with the Conn-Smythe Trophy. We don’t expect the Canadian to discover a Jordan Staal of sorts until September because there’s only one of them anyway, but for the Canadian to strive for more, adding an experienced player who has seen others certainly wouldn’t hurt in this locker room that’s still pretty green.