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Habs Happenings: Rookie Camp Opens, Pacioretty Speaks & Trade Rumours |
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After a long Summer, hockey is finally back as the Montreal Canadiens rookie camp began on Thursday. As expected, the focus was on first round draft picks Mikhail Sergachev, Michael McCarron, Nikita Scherbak as well as Finn Artturi Lehkonen.
Lehkonen expressed that he does not want to go back to Sweden, that he is here to prove that he can play in the NHL. He knows that there are spots up for grabs and feels that he can contribute now. He is well aware of the necessary adjustments that he will have to make playing on a smaller North American rink. That there is less time to make decisions, that the play moves quicker. Lehkonen often had a smile throughout the interview and came across as confident and thoughtful. He reiterated that he loves to score goals but is a well rounded player and can play in both ends. If he is able to translate his game to the NHL quickly, he could certainly be a fit on the Canadiens second line playing alongside Tomas Plekanec and perhaps Alexander Radulov.
Sergachev talked about his desire to improve his own game in the defensive end, that he knows he has to focus on that to make it to the NHL. He also improved his conditioning in the off-season and so he feels ready to play and test himself against NHL players during training camp. The Windsor Spitfires have told him that it would benefit him to play one more year in Junior and gain the experience of playing in the Memorial Cup and so he is mentally prepared for that to happen if the Canadiens send him back to the OHL.
One of the best news out of camp was that McCarron weighed in 11 pounds lighter than last year, tipping the scales at 226 lbs compared to 237 lbs a year ago. He has lost fat and gained muscle while working with a nutritionist and revising his off-season training plan. He admitted to running out of steam in his last 10 games with the Canadiens last Spring and wants to do all that he can to make the decision to send him back to St. John’s as hard as possible.
Scherbak talked about how difficult his first full season in the AHL was as he battled through injury and only started to feel comfortable for the last 20 or so games of the season. He knows that he can never take a shift off and must compete hard throughout the game. I for one am sincerely hoping to see a top line of Lehkonen-McCarron-Scherbak at the rookie tournament in London.
TSN 690 will be broadcasting the Canadiens Friday and Sunday games live.
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Max Pacioretty spoke at the World Cup of Hockey media day on Thursday and discussed the various comments made by USA head coach John Tortorella and the hearsay of Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien.
Unsurprisingly, there was no issue with Tortorella’s assessment of his play following USA’s first two preliminary games. Pacioretty was not happy with his own play and needed to dig deeper in order to prove that he deserved to be in the top 9. He played a much better game 3 and feels ready for the tournament to start.
Regarding Therrien, he admitted to speaking with him and his teammates and everyone supports Pacioretty. We will never know what was really said but my gut tells me it was a joke gone wrong that was misheard or misconstrued.
Pacioretty also spoke about his new teammate Shea Weber and the intensity that he brings:
I for one am getting really excited to see Weber in a Canadiens uniform following the World Cup...
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Meanwhile, the latest storm of trade rumours have started and Bergevin didn’t help himself when he openly admitted to listening to offers for Nathan Beaulieu:
Bergevin has to listen to trade offers, otherwise he is simply not doing his job. No one is untouchable and everyone has a price. I do not believe that Beaulieu is going anywhere unless Bergevin is able to fetch a fantastic return. Beaulieu is developing into a top 4 NHL defenceman if he is not already there. He is a character player who sticks up for his teammates on and off the ice. I feel that there is still untapped potential in him and that he could reach a higher level with better coaching. Perhaps Kirk Muller will be able to help him refine his offensive game.
Cheers & follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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