The calculation is extremely complex, but let’s risk it anyway: with eight rookie players who played at least 34 games with the Habs last season, we can estimate that up to eight Montrealers are preparing to begin their second year in the NHL.
The 2023-2024 Canadian will be less young than that of the previous season, but his average age will be lower than that of 29 NHL teams, calculates the Elite Prospects site.
One of the challenges of the next campaign will therefore be to prevent second-year bad luck as much as possible. This documented phenomenon describes the drop in performance following a first successful experience, whether academically, artistically or, in this case, in sport. For example, among the top 10 scorers among NHL rookies in 2021-2022, 6 saw their offensive production drop by a proportion of 12.5% to 53.5% the following season.
Among the Canadians, no less than a third of the team will have to be wary of this misfortune. “It certainly exists,” head coach Martin St-Louis admitted on Friday. He identified two remedies to protect against it: discipline and consistency.
However, this is not a topic that he will discuss with his men, unless forced to do so, we understand.
“We don’t have to make them think about that,” he continued. You have to stay positive. I don’t want to put attention on it and create negative energy. »
Don’t fix what isn’t broken, in short.
Brendan Gallagher preached along similar lines: “Never get comfortable,” just like “Never take anything for granted.”
The survey is not exhaustive, but the message seems to have already been received by certain candidates. Starting with the two most prolific recruits from last year.
“This is the mentality that any player must have in camp,” said Rafael Harvey-Pinard. You have to prove yourself every year. We talked about it, in the first conferences that were presented to us: the first half of our career, we have to prove that we deserve to play in the NHL, and the second half, we have to prove that we deserve to stay there. »
“I certainly don’t think that a position is acquired for me,” added Kaiden Guhle, whose position is nevertheless acquired. “I have the same posture as last year: many good defenders can take any position. I want to be part of the team. »
Already, believes Arber Xhekaj, the experience gained last year is visible in training and in intra-team matches. “The guys are calmer, they make good decisions in possession of the puck,” he analyzed.
CH players constantly talk about the esprit de corps that inhabits them. The rigors of the last campaign have visibly united the group, including its youngest elements.
“We have to look out for each other and make sure we are all in the right direction,” Xhekaj continued.
This optimism is shared by Gallagher. “Last year’s kids played a lot of important minutes in key moments. If they worked well during the summer and use their experience, things will be fine. »
Martin St-Louis expects more “maturity” from his young flock, especially from his defenders, who shared two-thirds of the matches played by rookies last year for the Canadian.
“Of course they are going to make mistakes, but we have to stop making the same ones,” he explained. The coach will pay attention to “details”, both in training and during matches. “You have to take all rehearsals seriously. »
Here too, it looks like Kaiden Guhle was listening behind the door. “I want to play as many good matches as possible, not just decent matches,” he said.
Aware that no one can be “excellent every night,” it’s up to everyone to find a way to make up for bad days at the factory, he believes. “We can’t have 82 “A” matches,” he imagined. But how is your “B” match? Your “C” match? »
A very good question, which demonstrates the maturity of the 21-year-old defender. A rhetorical question, we agree. But that might come up often on a team that most predict is likely to have its share of “B” or “C” games over the next few months.
Nobody knows if this combination will survive until the start of the season, but it has already been two days since Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Brendan Gallagher came together in a trio that could be described as energetic. The similarities between the two attackers have been highlighted since the arrival of the Quebecer in the CH organization, and Martin St-Louis smiled at the mention of this duo. “It’s fun to see them. It’s work, it’s fun,” he said. “He’s an intelligent player, and we see the game the same way,” Gallagher said of his young colleague. It’s easy to read. » “He always gives 200% and his work ethic is impeccable. The way he plays, it’s a great example for me,” replied Harvey-Pinard. It is Owen Beck, 19, who has so far been tasked with piloting the trio. And he’s doing very well.
The team’s first-round pick in the last draft, David Reinbacher is probably spending his last days in the team’s entourage, he who seems destined to return to Europe to play the next season. However, he makes sure to leave a good impression. He still has some crusts to eat, which we won’t blame him for, but his calm in possession of the disc, combined with his skating, commands admiration. “I am very happy with what I see,” commented Martin St-Louis. His decision making, it’s elite level for an 18 year old. This is very important to be successful in the NHL. » The Austrian, for his part, confirmed having gained in ease in terms of his “orientation on the ice”, particularly in the more restricted space of North American ice rinks. The best is yet to come.
Few fans were salivating at the idea of seeing Jared Davidson at this training camp, but it was still him who stole the show in Friday’s first simulated game. He showed a nice offensive touch by scoring three goals, including one with a thunderous shot that grazed the horizontal bar before falling into the back of the net. The team’s fifth-round pick in 2022 (130th overall), the Albertan is looking for a first professional contract. Otherwise, Sean Farrell, without imposing himself offensively, showed a lot of confidence on a trio completed by Riley Kidney and newcomer Tanner Pearson. In the second simulated match of the day, defender Logan Mailloux scored two goals, including one following a nice exchange with Josh Anderson.
The man who has seen and heard everything in 60 years with the Canadian is retiring. The club announced Friday afternoon that Dr. David Mulder was stepping down as chief medical officer. He will still retain a consulting role. He will be replaced in his former role by Dr. Dan Deckelbaum, who spent the last 12 years with the team. Arriving in the organization in 1963, Dr. Mulder began his sporting career by working with the players of the Montreal Junior Canadiens, the Montreal Voyageurs and then those of the Montreal Canadiens. The Eston, Saskatchewan native was chief surgeon at the Montreal General Hospital from 1977 to 1998. He was president of the NHL Society of Chief Surgeons from 2003 to 2006, and is decorated with the Order of Canada as well as Honorary Merit from the Montreal General Hospital.
