On Monday, the Montreal Canadiens made their final roster cuts and their opening night lineup is now set.
The team opens their schedule at home as they host the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. The team made some surprising moves in their final cuts, sending promising youngsters to Laval. At their practice in Brossard, we saw a glimpse of what the opening night lineup will look like. Let’s take a look at the Montreal Canadiens opening night roster.
Montreal Canadiens Roster
Final Roster Cuts
The Montreal Canadiens made some surprising moves in their last round of cuts. Joshua Roy and Logan Mailloux were sent to Laval in the AHL, along with Adam Engstrom and Jakub Dobes. Dobes and Engstrom come as no surprise, but Mailloux and Roy not making the team comes with some shock. Roy has virtually been considered a lock to make the team after his strong showing in the NHL down the stretch last year. However, he had a disappointing training camp and as a result, finds himself back in the minors. Mailloux had a solid camp but found himself a victim of the Canadiens logjam at defense.
With the final cuts being made, Lane Hutson, Alex Barre-Boulet, Justin Barron, Jayden Struble, Oliver Kapanen, and Emil Heineman have made the roster. Hutson had an outstanding camp as did Oliver Kapanen. Heineman over Roy is a surprising choice but given Heineman outperformed Roy at camp, it shows the Habs brass aren’t giving their players freebies. Alex Barre-Boulet earned a spot after being signed in free agency. Jayden Struble also impressed at camp while Justin Barron had a lackluster camp. Barron’s spot was secured only because the Canadiens didn’t want to risk losing him to waivers.
Opening Night Lines
If the team’s first practice since roster cuts have given us any indication, then the opening night lines are set.
Forwards
Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Caufield
Newhook-Dach-Armia
Barre-Boulet-Dvorak-Anderson
Heineman-Evans-Gallagher
Kapanen, Pezzetta
These forward lines are disappointing compared to the projected trios heading into camp. But with the Laine injury and Roy having a disappointing camp, these are what the forwards are projected to look like. Armia finds himself in a top-six role while Barre-Boulet has been slotted into the top nine. Kapanen should be inserted into the lineup sooner rather than later. Keeping him just to sit in the press box rather than being given top minutes in Laval or Sweden wouldn’t make much sense.
Defenceman
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Savard
Xhekaj-Barron
Struble
Goalies
Montembeault
Primeau
The defence is shaping up as expected. Kaiden Guhle is back on the top pair after returning from his appendix removal surgery. Lane Hutson is starting next to veteran defender David Savard which should ease his transition into the NHL. Jayden Struble took a therapy day at practice so he may take the place of either Xhekaj or Barron on opening night.
As for the goalies, there was never really any question about who the opening night tandem would be. Jakub Dobes had a solid camp but there was never a threat of him stealing Primeau’s position as the backup.
Looking Ahead
While the Montreal Canadiens opening night lineup is set, there are likely to be some changes as the season progresses. Joshua Roy should return to the NHL as long as he plays well during his stint in Laval. That means either Kapanen, Heineman, or Barre-Boulet will be going the other way. Mailloux should also get some NHL games this season. If an injury or a trade occurs, expect Mailloux to be the first call-up.
Once Patrik Laine and Rafael Harvey-Pinard return from injury, the lines get a bit more complicated. Laine will immediately be put in the top six, but Harvey-Pinard’s role is less clear. He hasn’t shown enough to be given a roster spot on merit alone. His position upon his return will be entirely dependent on the play of Kapanen, Barre-Boulet, and Heineman. If the trio are playing well, Harvey-Pinard may find himself back in the minors. Given his injury history and his poor performance last year, he would likely clear waivers pretty easily.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
