Montreal Canadiens: Ryan Poehling, Nick Suzuki Not Given Big Roles To Start Camp

The Montreal Canadiens began training camp yesterday and we got a first look at what line combinations the team has in mind. Rookies Ryan Poehling and Nick Suzuki have a long road to earn a roster spot.

The Montreal Canadiens finally hit the ice for the first time this season. Training camp got underway on Thursday with players doing medical tests and meeting with the media. Yesterday, the 57 players at camp hit the ice for the first time.

The players were split into three groups to begin camp. Group A and B had 13 forwards each, with Group A carrying eight defenders and three goaltenders, and Group B having seven defensemen and two netminders.

It was only the very first day of players taking the ice, but it is interesting to note the line combinations that were put together. After a lengthy offseason of discussing what trios the team will put together, there were many suggesting that rookies Ryan Poehling and Nick Suzuki could make the team.

If they are going to crack the roster, they have a tough row to hoe in front of them. If the lines used at the first skate are any indication, the Habs management team is not going to hand over a big role to either of the rookies.

The Habs are wisely keeping the trio of Tomas Tatar, Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher together. It also looks like Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin could be reunited and will be joined Artturi Lehkonen in the top six. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has Paul Byron and Joel Armia on his wings and then a veteran fourth line of Nick Cousins, Nate Thompson and Dale Weise is currently constructed.

Poehling was lined up at center on his first day of training camp with the Canadiens. On his wings are Phil Varone and Matthew Peca, two players that are destined for the Laval Rocket. Suzuki is centering his own line and has Charles Hudon and Jordan Weal with him.

Hudon and Weal have NHL experience and one of them will likely be on the fourth line on opening night. However, it doesn’t make sense to have Suzuki as the team’s fourth line center. In fact, if Suzuki is going to make the team at all, he would almost definitely need to move to right wing. The Habs already have Domi, Danault, Kotkaniemi and Poehling in front of him at center as well as a veteran option in Nate Thompson.

There was some thought over the summer months that perhaps Suzuki would be moved to the right side and given a chance to play with Drouin and Domi. There was also chatter that perhaps Domi would be moved to the wing, Kotkaniemi would assume a top six role and Poehling would be the third line center.

Those options aren’t impossible now. They just aren’t at the forefront of the Canadiens management team’s minds to begin camp. That means it is up to Suzuki and Poehling to play so well with their lesser linemates during preseason that they are given a chance later in the exhibition schedule to play a more prominent role.

It will be imperative for Poehling and Suzuki to get off to a strong start this weekend at the Habs scrimmage and early on in the preseason games. That way they will earn a promotion for the last few games of the preseason to see if they can handle playing against tougher competition and with NHL regulars.

It is not going to be impossible for Poehling and Suzuki to make the opening night roster. However, it is obvious that the Canadiens are preparing for them to be in the minors when the season begins. A strong start to the preseason is their only chance to change Marc Bergevin’s mind.