The preparatory camp of the Habs stretches. Despite six games played and two more to come, several decisions are not cast in stone. Which players will be demoted, which will be from Martin St-Louis’ initial roster; Maxim Lapierre and Guillaume Latendresse lent themselves to the exercise of the famous “cuts”.
It must be admitted that the Montreal staff must decide in the case of Juraj Slafkovsky, whether he will start the season with the big club or not. The leaders must also determine who will form the young defensive brigade as well as decide between several attackers with a single-sided contract, among other things.
Starting from zero, or almost
The former color holder of the Canadians, Guillaume Latendresse sees the opportunity to change the culture of CH by marking a well-felt move by separating from Jonathan Drouin, Evgenii Dadonov, Mike Hoffman, Jesse Ylonen and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard .
“To the extent that we want to change the dynamics, the philosophy and that we are ready to lose certain games, these are players who are not part of the plan.”
“We have to find a way to get rid of the Drouins, Dadonovs and Hoffmans, whether through the exchange market or the waiver. I would like us to give space to young people, ”explained Latendresse first.
Logic respected?
Conversely, Maxim Lapierre went with caution by demoting a few hopes in the American Hockey League (AHL), in this case forwards Michael Pezzetta, Emil Heineman, Jesse Ylonen, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and by separating from Christian Dvorak or Mike Hoffman.
“Kirby Dach and Sean Monahan are a hundred times better than Dvorak. It’s a league that’s getting faster and faster and Christian is getting slower and slower.”
“You have to trade a guy between Dvorak and Hoffman even if it’s not easy to do because of the salary cap,” added Lapierre.
Jake Evans deserves an opportunity
“I don’t want to see Jake Evans on the fourth line. Jake deserves to evolve on the top 9Dvorak becomes, once once more, too much, ”maintained Latendresse.
One more debate
Another debate is on the horizon. Will pilot Martin St-Louis and the organization prefer a chessboard made up of 14 attackers, 7 defenders and 2 goalkeepers or will they opt for 13 forwards, 8 backs and 2 guards?
“The danger of keeping eight defenders is that a talented young prospect spends time in the stands rather than gaining experience on the ice,” recalled the former CH agitator.
“Young fullbacks have to play in Laval and the Canadiens will call them back if necessary,” concluded Lapierre.
“Considering the youth of the defensive brigade, I would opt for the option of eight defenders to start the year in order to see who will take over on the blue line,” retorted the former number 84 of the Habs.
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