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Montreal Canadiens: Three Training Camp Battles To Watch

By Ken MacMillan

Oct 12, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (22) and forward Nick Suzuki (14) during the second period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (22) and forward Nick Suzuki (14) during the second period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Montreal Canadiens, Joel Armia
Apr 13, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Montreal Canadiens Joel Armia. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /

Which Winger Gets Scratched?

The Canadiens cleared up some roster space when they dealt Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick earlier this summer. They also allowed Jonathan Drouin and Denis Gurianov to leave as free agents which meant four regular NHL wingers were leaving town.

They did trade for Alex Newhook who will probably play the wing and just acquired Tanner Pearson as part of the Casey DeSmith trade earlier this week. So, where does that leave them?

Let’s assume Cole Caufield, Newhook, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher are guaranteed a spot in the opening night lineup. That leaves just three more spots for Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Jesse Ylonen, Pearson, Joel Armia and Michael Pezzetta.

It would not make sense to have young wingers like RHP and Ylonen sitting on the bench. RHP could be sent to the Laval Rocket without needing waivers, but he scored 14 goals in 34 games with the Canadiens last season so he deserves a spot in the lineup, though he may have to earn it in camp.

Ylonen would need waivers to be sent down and he would likely be claimed by a team like the Arizona Coyotes or San Jose Sharks. It would be foolish to lose him for nothing.

Including those two youngsters in the lineup leaves one spot for Armia, Pearson and Pezzetta. Armia and Pearson are high prices veterans, but they are going to have to show something in training camp to earn a spot in the opening night roster.

Pezzetta, a hardworking and loveable teammate appears to be the clear 14th forward and is in tough to earn an every day roster spot. It will be interesting to see which of these wingers earns an opening night lineup spot and who will be the odd men out.

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