{"id":251,"date":"2016-09-15T10:08:44","date_gmt":"2016-09-15T14:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=251"},"modified":"2016-09-15T10:08:44","modified_gmt":"2016-09-15T14:08:44","slug":"montreal-canadiens-rookie-camp-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/09\/15\/montreal-canadiens-rookie-camp-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Montreal Canadiens Rookie Camp Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Montreal Canadiens<\/strong>\u00a0rookie camp begins September 15th, and the club recently released the roster<\/a>.\u00a0The prospects\u00a0will only be at the practice\u00a0facility for a day though, before heading to London, Ontario<\/strong> for a rookie tournament that\u00a0will feature\u00a0teams from the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/strong>, Ottawa Senators<\/strong> and Toronto Maple Leafs<\/strong> organizations.<\/p>\n

Montreal Canadiens Rookie Camp Preview<\/h2>\n

The tournament runs from September 18-21. After their stay in London, the Canadiens head back to\u00a0Brossa<\/strong>rd<\/strong> for a few more days of training before the real camp opens.<\/p>\n

Looking at the roster\u00a0the most obvious thing is the absence\u00a0of Charles Hudon<\/a><\/strong>. Mike McCarron<\/strong> and Nikita Scherbak<\/strong> are there, but not Hudon. A very strong indication of what management thinks of the Alma, Quebec<\/strong> native. Hudon could be fighting for a roster spot come pre-season.<\/p>\n

Artturi Lehkonen<\/strong> will be making his long awaited debut when he flies in to compete at the Montreal Canadiens rookie camp. Upon skating in a late August Champions League<\/strong> game, Frolunda<\/strong>‘s head coach had this to say about the Habs prospect.<\/p>\n

\n

R\u00f6nnberg today: “We won’t see Lehkonen again, at least not from what I can see, he’s way too good” #Habs<\/a> @HabsEOTP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/c2jEc3A4m3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) August 27, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The former second-round pick has his eyes on the second-line left-wing spot next to Tomas Plekanec<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and either Alex Radulov<\/strong> or Brendan Gallagher<\/a><\/strong>. He’ll have to shine bright at the showcase, and fight off the likes of Hudon, Scherbak and NHL seasoned prospects Daniel Carr<\/a><\/strong> and Sven Andrighetto<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in training camp.<\/p>\n

McCarron will look to show his scoring touch while competing against his peers. He always has to fill a role with the Habs, so allowing him a little more freedom could be refreshing for the big pivot.<\/p>\n

Scherbak perhaps has the most pressure on him. Not for the fact that he has expectations to contribute in the NHL this season, but that the organization needs to see a little something in his game that gives them confidence down the road.<\/p>\n

Will Bitten<\/strong> should have some highlight reel moments with his speed and hands to match. The recent third-round pick is the type of player that leads by example with his work ethic and fearless approach.<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Addison<\/strong> is someone to keep your eyes on. The recent Windsor Spitfires<\/strong> acquisition had himself a nice development camp, exhibiting that his speed and abrasive style can be effective. It looks like he will have a chance to skate with top playmaking prospect Logan Brown<\/strong> in Windsor, so expect Addison to focus on his offensive game in this tournament.<\/p>\n

He may be listed as a defenceman, but\u00a0Mikhail Sergachev<\/strong>\u00a0is just a hockey player. A very good one at that. The man-child makes plays all over the ice, possessing the skill and strength to impose his will\u00a0on opponents. Aside from Lehkonen, due to his professional league experience, Sergachev is the best player in camp, and maybe in the entire tournament.<\/p>\n

Expect the starting lines to look something like this. Of course this tournament is for the purpose of evaluation so the Habs\u00a0will see many different combinations. This is based on talent level, and style of play. Consider it a lineup, depth-chart hybrid.<\/p>\n

Lehkonen – McCarron – Scherbak
\nAddison- Daniel Audette\u00a0<\/strong>– Bitten
\nPetrus Palmu<\/strong>– Jeremy Gregoire\u00a0<\/strong>– Matthew Bradley<\/strong>
\nMichael Pezzetta\u00a0<\/strong>– Hayden McCool<\/strong> – Giovanni Fiore<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rotate In: Scott Eansor<\/strong>, Markus Eisenschmid<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sergachev – Noah Juulsen<\/strong>
\nSimon Bourque\u00a0<\/strong>– Brett Lernout<\/a><\/strong>
\nVictor Mete\u00a0<\/strong>– Arvid Henrikson<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rotate In: Tom Parisi<\/strong>, Michael Zipp<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zach Fucale<\/strong>,\u00a0Charlie Lindgren<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Michael McNiven<\/strong> will all get time in the crease.<\/p>\n

With the NHL’s biggest stars at the World Cup of Hockey<\/strong>, the prospects\u00a0will have a chance to hit the ground running when training camp rolls around. The Montreal Canadiens rookie camp is the first step of the process, so expect the best from these talented competitors.<\/p>\n

Main Photo.<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n