Martin St-Louis may repeat how he has “a lot of options” in his offensive combinations, but few players actually give him as many possibilities as Sean Monahan.
In his second season in Montreal, the former Calgary Flames can literally occupy any “chair”, St-Louis’ favorite expression, on the first three lines. It should come as no surprise if he inherited the right winger position on the main unit to the right of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. If by chance this task fell to Kirby Dach, Monahan could just as easily find himself at the center of the second line. And if Alex Newhook gained ground, Monahan could end up on his left or right, if not on the third line, at any position.
So far in training camp, the 28-year-old veteran has completed a line with Kirby Dach and Joshua Roy. He and Dach shared the task in the center. The trio had good moments during their three intrasquad matches, although Saturday morning’s match was more subdued.
“[Monahan] is still finding his timing,” analyzed head coach Martin St-Louis. Nothing could be more normal, he said, knowing that the striker played his last match almost 10 months ago. Foot and groin injuries limited his final season to 25 games.
“I’m not worried,” St-Louis said again. I’m happy that he is healthy, that he feels good. »
With Christian Dvorak expected to return to action during the month of November after fully rehabbing a knee injury, the CH will count on six players capable of playing at center, including Monahan, Suzuki, Newhook, Dach and Jake Evans. The versatility of some of them will then be put to use. “It’s fun to have that,” St-Louis noted.
“It’s fun” to count specifically on Monahan, we deduce. Because at the mere mention of his name, all the players on the team smile. He made a big impression last year during his short stay; he and the organization took a liking to each other. This is also what led to his decision to sign a new contract in the metropolis, at a much lower salary than what he earned before. Last June, after the announcement of this agreement, he said he had the feeling of unfinished business.
Jordan Harris didn’t have to be asked to discuss his teammate. “His hockey intelligence speaks for itself,” said the young defender, who also praised his “overall knowledge of the NHL” and his “leadership.”
“Last year he was fantastic,” summed up Harris.
Monahan, for his part, emphasizes how relieved he is to finally arrive at training camp fresh and ready. He missed the first weeks of work last year, after a long rehabilitation following hip surgery. He has since admitted to having dealt with pain after his return.
This time, everything is in working order, he assures. “I barely slept the night before camp,” he admitted. Getting back on the ice with the team is the fun part of our job. »
“I think I can help the team,” he insists. This is probably what the Canadian estimated by keeping him in Montreal for at least another year.
“I’m just excited to play hockey again,” he concluded. It’s been a long time. I finally feel like myself. »
Cayden Primeau doesn’t need a drawing to explain the delicate situation he finds himself in. Despite his clear desire to play in the NHL in 2023-2024, to get there he will have to succeed in dislodging Samuel Montembeault or Jake Allen. However, at this training camp, he is not impressing many people. He even had a rather painful intrasquad game on Saturday, allowing four goals in 25 minutes of play, continuous time. In front of the journalists, the American appeared strangely extinguished. “It wasn’t a very good day,” he agreed. But I did good things in training afterwards. I have to build on that. » Primeau was careful not to comment on the future of things if, as is likely to happen, he was sold to the Laval Rocket. In a press briefing Martin St-Louis certainly did not fuel optimism regarding him, evoking the “organic battle” between two goalkeepers which is underway and of which Primeau does not seem to be part. To get a job, “you’d have to get your game up and everyone else’s down.” Nothing reassuring, then.
If Cayden Primeau had such a bad morning, it is mainly because Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Brendan Gallagher had a good one. The trio that they complete with Owen Beck was everywhere on the ice and they were the main architects of a sparkling victory for the famous group C. Harvey-Pinard, in particular, was all fired up, and his intensity did not decreased during the training session following the match. Obviously, despite the large number of attackers, the Quebecer does not want to leave any ambiguity to his bosses: barring a catastrophe, his place will be in Montreal and no longer in Laval.
It was probably unintentional, but Martin St-Louis uttered what will become one of the most memorable sentences of this camp on Saturday. Responding to a question about Michael Pezzetta, the coach spoke about the importance of him improving “his offensive touches,” without losing what defines his game: his toughness and intensity. “You know what he brings, his physical side. He takes care of the team,” St-Louis said. And added: “All the things that require zero talent, Pezz, he brings that. » There was nothing malicious about the tone and context. But, on paper at least, it wasn’t the warmest of compliments.
