Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Let’s be honest, the return to work in Brossard after the Olympic break has plenty of intrigue. Martin St-Louis wasted no time shaking things up with his lineup.
This morning, observers were quite surprised to see Joe Veleno settle in on the first unit alongside Kirby Dach and Cole Caufield.
It’s simple – the coach wants to test chemistry while his top guns gradually return from their international commitments.
Brendan Gallagher finds himself on a very “veteran” second line with Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson.
We can agree that it’s a combination built on sustained effort and experience to stabilize the middle of the lineup.
Ivan Demidov, the young prodigy, is currently skating with Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine.
On paper, that unit has undeniable offensive impact, even if we’re still waiting to see the scoring fully break out.
Zachary Bolduc rounds out the picture with Jake Evans and Alexandre Texier. It’s a quick reset for the youngster as he tries to carve out a role in the top-12.
Martin St-Louis reshuffles lines in Brossard as Joe Veleno joins Kirby Dach and Cole Caufield
Veleno-Dach-Caufield
Gallagher-Danault-Anderson
Demidov-Newhook-Laine
Bolduc-Evans-Texier
Hutson-Dobson
Matheson-Guhle
Struble-Xhekaj
Carrier
Dobes
LNAH goaltender (invitee)
Note that Suzuki, Slafkovsky, and Kapanen will bump certain players out of the lineup. Carrier is likely to move to the third pairing sooner rather than later, and Montembeault is neither injured nor traded.
– Max Truman
On defense, the pairing of Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson leads the way. The two together provide a solid execution that promises controlled zone entries in abundance whenever they touch the puck.
Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle form the second pair, while Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and Alexandre Carrier round out the group.
The competition will be fierce on the blue line for quality minutes.
Let’s be honest, this picture will change as soon as Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky walk through the doors of the sports complex.
For now, Samuel Montembeault is also absent, leaving Jakub Dobes between the pipes.
It’s a necessary transition period to evaluate the strengths within the roster.
We’re watching this closely, as many different factors could influence what comes next for the Montreal Canadiens.
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Martin St-Louis reshuffles Canadiens lines at practice with major top-line surprise in Brossard
Do you approve of Joe Veleno’s promotion to the top line?