Montreal Canadiens: Three Players That Need Strong Showing In Remainder of Preseason

Sean Monahan

While not entirely his fault, Monahan is falling behind in the early battle on the centre depth chart. Due to injury, he has not been a full participant in training camp and is yet to play a single preseason game.

However, Nick Suzuki returned to full health and is ready to take on the number one spot in the lineup. Christian Dvorak has looked pretty good on a line with Evgeni Dadonov and Brendan Gallagher and should take on a pretty prominent role early on.

Kirby Dach has the tools to be a physical, dominant, two-way centre and will get a long look at the position. Jake Evans scored twice in the last preseason game and is looking to take on even more responsibility than he had last year.

That doesn’t leave a lot of room for Monahan. He is going to have to force himself onto the opening night lineup and he doesn’t really have much time to do it. There are four preseason games left, but having not played since late last regular season, he probably won’t get to play more than two exhibition games.

Monahan will get his chances later in the season for sure, but he will have to look some good in limited time in the preseason to earn a spot on the opening night roster.