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Montreal Canadiens: An extra game added to the NHL Rookie Showdown

By Omar L

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 08: Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Cale Fleury (59) and Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Mason Marchment (66) fight for the puck during the preseason Rookie Tournament game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens on September 08, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 08: Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Cale Fleury (59) and Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Mason Marchment (66) fight for the puck during the preseason Rookie Tournament game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens on September 08, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Montreal Canadiens prospects were expected to play two games at the NHL Rookie Showdown, but one more has been added to the schedule.

The Montreal Canadiens are one day away from opening up their rookie camp for the 2018-19 season. Thirty players will be taking part in two practices and the eventual NHL Rookie Showdown over the weekend.

If you follow some of the Habs prospects on Twitter or Instagram, then you may have already seen Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Lukas Vejdemo, and Antoine Waked practicing with members of the team at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard. It’s going to be an exciting tournament and a good opportunity to see how some of Montreal’s young players stack up against the ones in Toronto and Ottawa.

Usually, the Montreal Canadiens play two games over the weekend, one against each team. But news came out quietly yesterday on Twitter that the Habs will be getting another match against the Leafs. This comes from Lance Horny of the Toronto Sun confirmed who that the two teams will face each other again on Monday, September 10th. The only downside of this is the game is it won’t be open to the public.

The third game makes sense. The Leafs are used to playing three times at these rookie tournaments to ensure their prospects get a decent enough look. It will benefit the Montreal Canadiens as well, especially if there’s a player they want to examine further.

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The exclusivity of it raises eyebrows. Perhaps if the public interest is strong enough, both teams will decide to make tickets available for it, but for now, it’s a closed contest.

However, the more the prospects get to play, the better. Most importantly for those who have big years ahead of them. Setting Kotkaniemi aside for a moment, there are players who are making the jump to the pro level who will want to get their season off on the right foot. Additionally, names like Cale Fleury are on the fence and need to sway Habs management in the direction of an entry-level contract.

Perhaps that third game helps them get ready for what’s to come.

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