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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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Apr 8, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Right Defense Pecking Order

The Canadiens have some lineup spots that are pretty much sewn up before we even start training camp. We can pretty much guarantee Suzuki, Dach, Monahan and Evans start the season as their centers. We know Sam Montembeault and Jake Allen are the team’s goaltenders.

One position that is nearly impossible to pin down at all is right defense. There is going to be incredible competition for the three spots, but even more of a battle for the pecking order of those top three spots.

We know that David Savard is going to play opening night, but what is his role? Is he on the top pairing? He probably is the team’s most reliable right defenseman, but if he is on the top pairing he likely plays with Mike Matheson. Will they be separated to put veterans on each of the top two pairs?

That is likely, but it is something that needs to be sorted out at training camp.

Who else makes the team on right defense? Justin Barron played 39 games with the Canadiens last season and played well. He is a smooth skater who can bring the puck up ice and find a teammate with a quick pass. He scored 15 points last season, but the 21 year old is by no means a lock to start the season with the Canadiens.

Johnathan Kovacevic is another right defender that will be looking for an increased role next season. He also had 15 points last season, in 77 games, but plays a tidy defensive role and uses his 6’4″ frame to shut things down and clear the front of his net while winning battles for pucks in the corner.

Those three probably have the inside track right now, but can Kovacevic show he should be the top pairing guy with Matheson, leaving Savard to play on the second pair? Can Barron also prove to be better than Savard and earn a top four role, pushing Savard all the way down to the third pair?

Will Jordan Harris or Arber Xhekaj move to the right side to ensure they play every day? And what about Chris Wideman, the veteran defender who played 46 games last season and is a popular teammate? Is he going to crack the roster for opening night?

We haven’t even mentioned newcomer Gustav Lindstrom who played 38 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season and was a second round pick in 2017. Can he jump in and usurp a few of the Canadiens holdovers from last season?

There is a lot, (everything) to be determined on the right side of the defense. A good guess today would have Savard, Barron and Kovacevic in the lineup, but training camp is going to tell that story.

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