Montreal Canadiens: Three Players Who Raised Their Stock In Training Camp
![Sep 30, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mattias Norlinder (59) plays the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports Sep 30, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mattias Norlinder (59) plays the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b342982010930bafd7f865ccaa8ba1c36b336a6659806be5025e2444c58f7c86.jpg)
The Montreal Canadiens began training camp on September 21st with 72 players on the roster. It gave them enough bodies to put together three full NHL rosters with a few extra skaters still hanging around. Their nine goaltenders would have needed an entire dressing room themselves to spread out all that goalie gear.
Obviously they had to cut things down quickly, and they did, leaving them just a handful of more cuts to make before the regular season begins. Their first game that matters takes place next Wednesday, October 11th and they have to make their final decisions ahead of that contest.
They do have one last preseason game remaining as they will take on the Ottawa Senators on Saturday evening. The team will have to use that game to get ready for regular season action but also make their final decisions on who will make the team this year.
There were many roster spots already sewn up before training camp, but also many young players turning pro this season for the first time who were looking to make good first impressions. That certainly happened, as a handful of younger players really made management stand up and take notice. Even with the door seemingly locked and a path to an NHL roster spot unavailable, some players really outperformed expectations over the course of training camp.
With six preseason games on the schedule, there was ample opportunity for players to put their best foot forward. A handful of younger players took advantage of the opportunity and greatly increased their stock, shooting up the organizational depth chart over the course of the past couple of weeks.
Let’s take a look at the three players who unexpectedly really stood out at camp and raised their stock within the organization the most during this year’s training camp.