The first portion of the Montreal Canadiens training camp wrapped up with an inter-squad scrimmage at the Bell Centre, with the CHC Foundation raising $44,000 from the fan-friendly event. The Red vs White has become a fantastic annual tradition, giving fans and families a budget friendly way to experience Habs current stars and future players.
So far the rage out of training camp has been the line of Eller-Galchenyuk-Semin. The results have been quite positive so far with the player’s skills complimenting each other. Time will tell in the real exhibition games (starting tomorrow night with 4 games in 5 nights) if this line has what it takes to be productive and defensively responsible. The key to this new line will be consistency from Alex Semin. Seemingly healthy and fully recovered from his previous wrist injury, If Semin has bought into the Canadiens way and doesn’t take a night off, there is no reason why he will not be able to succeed. His skill is obviously still there and he has proved himself as a capable two way player in the past. Lars Eller is saying all the right things and has come to camp with a very positive attitude regarding the switch to left wing. Perhaps he will finally be able to surpass 30 points in a season without the pressure of playing center, no longer having to think so much on the ice. He can play a simpler game and benefit from playing with skilled players. If the experiment does not work than at least everyone can say he was given a chance… The catalyst to the line though is really Alex Galchenyuk. There will be nights when he makes a mistake or two. The leash must be long enough for him that he he has the opportunity to grow and learn from them. He has the skill and now the strength to play up the middle. It is truly his time to shine.
Other impressions so far:
- Jarred Tinordi will have to step up his game once the real action starts. So far he has not stood out during the scrimmages. While sometimes that’s a good thing, especially for a 5th/6th defenceman, Tinordi must prove his worth and that he is ready to become an everyday defenceman. Even if there’s not room for him with the Canadiens, it is only to his benefit to show his value so that other teams will call about his availability… What he cannot do is try to do too much in the exhibition games by throwing an ill-advised hit that takes him out of position or fighting unnecessarily.
- Daniel Carr and Charles Hudon are the most NHL ready prospects that the Canadiens have. While they may not start the season in Montreal, there are certain to be injuries and each of them will eventually get their chance. Sven Andrighetto is not far behind but I still have the other two ahead of him on the depth chart
- Nikita Scherbak looks like he is trying to do too much so far. This talented 2014 1st round pick has undeniable skill. Last year he came into camp with no pressure and played like it, forcing the Canadiens to keep him up throughout training camp. This year he is trying to force the play a little too much. His game will season out in the AHL and everyone knows he is a big part of the Habs future
- If Eller succeeds playing in the top six, I have a hunch that the Canadiens are prepping 2013 1st round pick Michael McCarron to be their future 3rd line center. It would not surprise me if that is where he finishes the season after spending time in St. John’s. His size is obviously a tremendous asset but his skating has much improved. If he can keep up with the professionals it will be obvious that he belongs in the NHL. The switch to center in junior forced him to become a complete player and raised his defensive awareness. I love how he said:
#canadiens Michael McCarron says he look at tapes of Brian Boyle and Jonathan Toews to play better in his zone as a centerman. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 11, 2015It shows incredible maturity and a desire to improve.
At practice this morning we have reports that:
#habs have gone in to phase 2 of training camp, all the NHLers are on Team A. Joining them: Tinordi, Barberio, Carr, Hudon, Andrighetto
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) September 21, 2015Hopefully soon we will get a look into powerplay lines and strategies. The AHL players will stick around for these first 4 exhibition games and then I imagine most of the cuts will take place. For now it is obvious that Carr, Hudon and Andrighetto have the leg up on others. They will want to make it a hard decision for Marc Bergevin to send them back to the Ice Caps. They are also competing for a spot against training camp invite Tomas Fleischmann.
On another note, it was with incredible sadness that we learned of former Canadiens Todd Ewen's death this weekend. The news was devastating and heartbreaking, a beloved former player gone much too soon. I remember as a young girl loving his toughness and character, always ready to stand up for his teammates.
According to @CTVCalgary, police classify death of Todd Ewen as a suicide from self-inflicted gunshot wound to head. pic.twitter.com/hfWoNuoDoo
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) September 20, 2015I have generally been neutral on fighting in the NHL. I remember the excitement I felt when Lyle Odelein fought in the 1st game I ever attended at the Forum, although I can't even recall why the fight began. I have felt that hockey players have always had the right to self-police themselves. One that doesn't exist in other professional sports leagues like the NFL. Lately though, I wonder about the place that fighting has in hockey. Staged fights have lost their appeal. Yes you may be a tough guy trying to spark your team. Is it really worth it? Or when a player defends a teammate after receiving a clean hit. Was it necessary? Aren’t clean hits supposed to be part of the game? Does a football player who tackles an opponent have to defend himself with bare knuckles every time he lays a hard one? The worst was watching this year's rookie tournament and seeing the amount of fights that took place. Did Michael McCarron or Jeremy Gregoire really need to prove themselves with their fists? More of these fights are going to come in the upcoming exhibition games with players willing to do anything to secure a spot on their team.
Today, players are faster and stronger. Spots on teams that were reserved for enforcers have all but disappeared. Now a tough guy is expected to be able to play more than 5 minutes a game ,they have to be able to contribute in other ways as well. The last of the enforcers have all but faded from the game. The league has attempted to curve fighting and improve safety by forcing players to keep their helmets on and adding instigator penalties/automatic suspensions when coaches might be tempted to goon it up when the game is out of reach. The spotters in place this season to identify concussions will hopefully help as well. In the last few years, too many former NHL enforcers, tough guys have lost their life. I really applaud Dan Carcillo for taking a step back, re-evaluating his priorities and making the hard decision to retire from the NHL at age 30. He has been very public with his emotions and struggles. What he is hoping to accomplish with his new non-profit foundation Chapter 5 is extraordinary and I wish him all the best for success with his new venture, of finding a way to transition professional athletes back into the real world. Todd Ewen had seemingly transitioned as he wrote children’s books, coached youth hockey and also at Saint-Louis University. He had a family. Depression is a deeply personal disease, a sickness. The discussion must always be open and everyone has a responsibility to be there for friends and family in need.
My almost 5 year old son is starting tots hockey this Fall and I have mixed emotions about it. I love how he has come to love hockey and wants to learn how to play. Yet it is hard to explain fighting during an NHL game and why players can do it but fighting with friends is a bad thing… I am obviously concerned about his future safety and part of me only wants him to enjoy it for now and decide to pursue other non-contact sports later on. In the time being, I will simply enjoy the munchkin in full hockey gear and watching the four-five year old kids fall all over the ice...
Cheers and follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler