Canadiens’ Lesser Talked Camp Battle

While all the eyes are turned on Lane Hutson and the blueline battle, there are a couple of young forwards who are also in the hunt for a chair this training camp.

Most everyone agrees that Lane Hutson is the front-runner to make the Montreal Canadiens out of camp. Why? Because he brings something no-one else has to the blueline lineup. His offensive prowess, quick feet, and high hockey IQ are tools that Montreal cannot afford to send to Laval.

But what about up front? While the top six seems almost set in stone, the bottom six isn’t, and two young forwards have turned a lot of heads since the start of training camp.

It’s not because of luck that Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck have shone in the first two exhibition games. As bench boss Martin St-Louis would put it, they are hockey players, not just people who play hockey.

When asked to comment on Beck’s performance yesterday, the coach summed it up by saying he plays a 200-foot game. That’s exactly what’s needed from a bottom-six player.

He’s a responsible center who doesn’t shy away from tough assignments but who also has a knack for finding open space and putting himself in a scoring position. He concluded his junior career with a Memorial Cup win and the tournament’s MVP title and came to rookie camp head and shoulders above other prospects in physical testing. 

Meanwhile, Oliver Kapanen didn’t bother coming to rookie camp. Instead, he started his first pre-season in the SHL and was already in game shape when it was time to head to the Canadiens’ camp, which he had taken by storm from the first scrimmage. 

Against Philadelphia on Monday, his line completed by Emil Heineman and Alex Barre-Boulet stole the show. The pivot collected two assists, took two shots on goal, picked two pockets, and won 57.1% of his faceoffs. 

Kapanen had 13:58 of ice time, but he made the most of it. He was deployed on the power play, on the penalty kill, and at even strength, showing just how polyvalent he could be—a Swiss army knife in the making. 

Unlike Beck, though, he cannot be sent down to the Laval Rocket in Laval. There is a clause in his entry-level deal that allows him to go back to Europe if he doesn't make the big leagues. 

While Kapanen might be able to use some more development and polishing, will the Canadiens be willing to send him to Sweden to do that? They sent Reinbacher back to Switzerland last season and ended up regretting it. In the SHL, the center would suit up for Timra IK and be coached by former NHLer Olli Jokinen. 

The Finnish bench boss has already said he looked too good for the SHL already and he added he was taking for granted that he wouldn't be back in Sweden at the end of the Canadiens camp. If he does come back though, the coach said he would be getting first line minutes and time on both special units. 

Would there be room for the youngsters on the Canadiens' roster? Well, not just yet but with both Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak on expiring deals, there could be next season without any further more. 

Or, if Kent Hughes meant what he said when he affirmed he'd be able to start the season without putting Carey Price on LTIR for maximum cap relief, he needs to get rid of just over two millions in salary. Evans doesn't carry that much of a cap hit, but Dvorak does. 

The cap floor for this season stands at $65 M and there is one team that doesn't reach it at the time of writing. The Columbus Blue Jackets expected to lose Patrik Laine, but they didn't expect to lose Johnny Gaudreau (nobody did especially not in such a tragic way). As a result, they are currently roughly $1.8 M away from cap compliance. 

If Kent Hughes was to manage sending Dvorak to Ohio, he would get back under the cap and would clear some roster space. Kapanen could slide in the empty roster spot while Beck could be assigned to the AHL. If the injury ninja strikes again, the Canadiens would have Beck at the ready with the Rocket. 

If they were to trade Dvorak and keep Beck up in the NHL, they'd be in roster depth trouble in case of an injury with Kapanen being in Sweden. The question is though, is Hughes ready to pull the trigger on that kind of deal? He could retain some salary as well since the Canadiens do have a salary retention space available, the GM might want to save it for nearer the trade deadline, but it's at least worth considering. 

At this stage, this is all speculation but if the two young centers keep going as they have, they might just force Hughes to make a move. Of course, it's still very early and they haven't exactly faced big competition so far, but it could happen. 

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