Montreal Canadiens Release Training Camp Roster

The NHL season is getting even closer for the Montreal Canadiens as they released the 61 players who will be attending this year’s training camp.

High-fives all round Montreal Canadiens fans, we made it. We made it through the long off-season, we got through rookie camp, and now it’s time for the real fun to begin. The team’s training camp is set to begin on Thursday, and we know the 61 players that will be attending.

There aren’t many surprises on the roster. In fact, besides dividing the 61 positionally, we can split them up as to where they’ll play next season. There are those who will obviously be with the Montreal Canadiens, players who will obviously be with the Laval Rocket, and then a grey area where they could go either way or nowhere.

Highlighting the players set to be on the Habs is definitely Jonathan Drouin. We already know that the Canadiens plan on trying him out at center during camp, so it’ll be interesting to see how that goes. Additionally, seeing who he plays with. Drouin and Max Pacioretty will definitely line-up together at least once. The right side is more open.

At the fore-front of the Laval players has to be Noah Juulsen. He was one of the players watched heavily at last weekend’s Rookie Tournament and played well also serving as team captain. This will be his first jump into professional hockey, and from Marc Bergevin‘s comments with TSN‘s Bob McKenzie, the organization is high on him.

Related Story: Standouts at the Rookie Tournament

Then we have the mysterious but fun grey area. There are a handful of tryouts who are coming from Rookie Camp. Maxime Fortier is probably the most likely to earn a contract. He had two assists for the Montreal Canadiens over the two games, but has great speed and hockey sense. The Rocket is already set to have a strong team, and Fortier would make it that much stronger.

Antoine Samuel is another interesting name. The 20-year-old didn’t have too well of an outing for the Habs in his single game at the Rookie Tournament. However, it looks like they’re going to give the goaltender another chance to compete for a spot on Laval. It won’t easy, but he could earn himself at least an AHL contract and start with the Brampton Beast.

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In terms of professional tryouts with the Habs, that could be a story that isn’t really a story. The only player who has an actual shot is Eric Gelinas. The Canadiens were apparently in on him in the past, but the blue-line isn’t really swimming with spots. For Gelinas to get a contract, he’s going to have to steal a job, and look great while doing it.

Finally there’s a chance another young forward could make the team. Charles Hudon, Daniel Carr, Jacob de La Rose, and Michael McCarron have all seen time on the Habs at some point. Could one of them breakthrough and make the team out of camp? Carr did it last season, so it’s not crazy to think so.

It’s the Claude Julien show at training camp this year. He’s really high on internal competition, so there could be some new combinations based on players he feels deserve it. Get excited Habs fans, the regular season is getting even closer.

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What do you think of the training camp roster? Who are you excited to see? Let us know what you think in the comments.