With the rookie showcase now in the rearview, the Laval Rocket and Montreal Canadiens training camps are on the horizon. With that, positional battles will take place, and both the NHL and AHL rosters will take shape. The Laval Rocket will have a fresh crop of guys primed for roles throughout the lineup who will blend in with the veteran leadership.
With a young roster, many of the Canadiens’ hopefuls for the future will take on much more prominent roles. Be it on the power play, penalty kill, or even between the pipes, the fruits of the Habs’ improved drafting will take centre stage in Laval. So, the possibility of a rookie being the most valuable player for the 2023-24 Rocket is right on par with one of their veterans.
Each position down in the American League will be chocked with rookies from Europe, the CHL and the NCAA. Jakub Dobes will try and wrestle the lion’s share of starts from Cayden Primeau, and the brightest offensive players will be the under-23 players. The blueline will also see some fresh faces, with David Reinbacher as a question mark, Logan Mailloux and Jayden Struble will play significant roles, and William Trudeau appears poised for a breakout season.
But there are a few players that I expect to be standouts for the Rocket. So, without further ado, let’s have a look at the top options for 2024 team MVP. The strength in the pipeline will start to bear its fruits, and the growth that will come this season will be seismic for the Habs’ rebuild.