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Montreal Canadiens: Three Most Pleasant Surprises In First Week of Camp

By Ken MacMillan

BATHURST, NEW BRUNSWICK - SEPTEMBER 18: Matthew Peca #63 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with team-mates Cale Fleury #83, Alex Belzile #60, Otto Leskinen #64 and Jake Evans #71 at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in pre-season action on September 18, 2019 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/NHLI via Getty Images)
BATHURST, NEW BRUNSWICK - SEPTEMBER 18: Matthew Peca #63 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with team-mates Cale Fleury #83, Alex Belzile #60, Otto Leskinen #64 and Jake Evans #71 at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in pre-season action on September 18, 2019 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 16: Montreal Canadiens left wing Charles Hudon (54) (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 16: Montreal Canadiens left wing Charles Hudon (54) (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Charles Hudon

When the Montreal Canadiens drafted Charles Hudon in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, they hoped to have a future bottom six winger with two-way abilities. He had averaged over a point per game with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and was also one of their best defensive forwards.

For a time it appeared that they had hit a home run with their late draft pick. Hudon had two more excellent seasons in the QMJHL and then three promising campaigns in the American Hockey League following the end of his Junior career. He had all the makings of a bottom six two-way winger at the NHL level.

During his rookie NHL season in 2017-18, he looked the part as well. He was mostly featured on the fourth line but he finished the year with ten goals and 30 points. Not bad production from your fourth best left winger. Last season however, the wheels fell off entirely. He had just five points in 32 games and was a healthy scratch for two straight months.

Due to that showing, Hudon was more or less written off heading into this year’s camp. It was thought the 25 year old would not be able to earn the coaching staff’s trust once again. With Thompson and Weal re-signing and Cousins brought in as a free agent, it seemed logical that Hudon would be pushed out of the lineup altogether.

However, he spent the offseason getting ready to prove himself all over again. He lost 17 pounds over the summer and looks quicker than ever. He played great in his first preseason game, skating well and creating chances with his linemates Nick Suzuki and Jordan Weal. It earned him a promotion the next day at practice to a line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia.

That sounds an awful lot like a regular season third line. Hudon was not expected to be jumping onto the third line during camp, but if he continues to play well that’s exactly where he will be when the regular season begins. That’s going to put pressure on veterans like Nick Cousins, Matthew Peca and Nate Thompson who are hoping for depth roles with the team.

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