A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens: Xavier Ouellet looking to turn heads at camp

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Nikita Scherbak #38 of the Montreal Canadiens skates with the puck under pressure from Xavier Ouellet #61 of the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on March 26, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Nikita Scherbak #38 of the Montreal Canadiens skates with the puck under pressure from Xavier Ouellet #61 of the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on March 26, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Montreal Canadiens will have a lot of debuts at training camp this September, and Xavier Ouellet has already had the opportunity to wear the sweater.

Xavier Ouellet chose to have the Montreal Canadiens as his first step to rejuvenation in the NHL. His time within the Detroit Red Wings organization, who drafted him 48th overall in 2011, came to an end through a buyout. Ouellet got his first taste of the full extent of the league in the 2016-17 season when he played 66 games, but it was difficult for him to get in the lineup this year.

Whether Ouellet’s talents as a player were the culprit or poor management from Detroit, he’ll have a new yet familiar environment in Montreal to prove himself once again. But fans didn’t need to wait until training camp to see the newly turned 25-year-old in a Habs jersey.

Ouellet was at Jarry Park Stadium this past Saturday taking part in a ball hockey game at the Rogers Cup. The France native was in a Montreal Canadiens sweater with a 61 on the back retaining the same number from his days in Detroit. According to Hockey-Reference, the last Habs player to don 61 was Raphael Diaz who was a free agent signing out of Switzerland playing within the organization for three years.

When asked about his hopes for the new season, Ouellet said:

"I want to get to the training camp and surprise the leaders by showing what I can do. I have to prove to them that I have my place (Translated)."

There’s no doubt that a spot on the blueline is open for at the least the beginning of training camp. Shea Weber won’t be joining the Montreal Canadiens until December. And while the top four is set via Jeff Petry, Victor Mete, Karl Alzner, and Noah Juulsen, a spot on the bottom pair is open. Additionally, making the team as the seventh defenceman is in the realm of possibility for Ouellet as well

The issue is the competition. Mike Rielly will have something to say about Ouellet’s efforts for starters. But David Schlemko (I know) and PTO signing Simon Desprès could have a solid camp.

Montreal would benefit from having another young and efficient member on their blueline. However, based on what he’s gone through in the last year, perhaps starting to season in the AHL with the Laval Rocket couldn’t hurt. That said, there’s no question the NHL is the goal for Ouellet in 2018. Whether he makes it or not will depend on what he has to show to the coaching staff.

In Case You Missed It

How does the Jeff Skinner trade impact Montreal?

The Buffalo Sabres made their move to acquire Jeff Skinner, and that could affect the Montreal Canadiens in different ways.

Trading Max Pacioretty at the deadline may be better

Montreal is going to trade Max Pacioretty at some point, but considering the return on some moves in the league, waiting until the deadline would be for the best.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi gets things started in Liiga

The Pitsiturnaus tournament went on in Liiga, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi did his part for Assat.

dark. Next. Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Morning Links

NHL front office confidence rankings: Fans weigh in on how each team is doing (The Athletic)

More fans share their thoughts on NHL management groups, including the Montreal Canadiens.

Scherbak: At home in Montreal (NHL)

Nikita Scherbak is young but will be looking for a top-six role on the team this upcoming season.

Home/Habs News