The team continues to develop, the process moves forward, the requirements change. We got a first glimpse of this when we received the list of players invited to the Canadiens camp on Tuesday evening.

59 names were registered, 12 fewer than last year and 15 fewer than during Martin St-Louis’ first camp as head coach of the Canadiens.

“It was time to get smaller in numbers,” he said. Last year we had four teams for intrasquad play. This year we have three. That allows us to attack things quicker.”

So, gone are the days when players were simply called upon to fill out their jerseys. In any case, there will be fewer of them, as almost fifty of them will make up the Canadian and Rocket ranks.

This may explain the sparkle in St-Louis’ eyes. A bit like the teacher who finds the students he likes at the beginning of the school year.

Especially since, as he himself emphasized, the group that will appear before him every day for the next three weeks is “more mature, more talented and more profound” than those that he and his deputies had to evaluate in his first two seasons.

“Young people grow up. “Two years ago we had between five and seven recruits,” the head coach recalled of his first full winter in Montreal. Juraj Slafkovsky, Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj, Johnathan Kovacevic, Justin Barron and Rafael Harvey-Pinard have all played under him this season.

No significant changes

When the curtain goes up on the season, there will likely be three of them. And among the veterans, the new additions will be limited to Patrik Laine and possibly Alex Barré-Boulet. Therefore, it will be easier for St-Louis and his staff to continue the work they have started.

“Last year, when Newy [Alex Newhook] When he arrived, we tried to figure out who he was going to play with, said the Laval resident. There, the guys know pretty much where we want to go, what kind of game we want to play. We’ll make small adjustments, but nothing big.”

That doesn’t mean everything is set in stone. As he mentioned during the golf tournament, it’s up to the players to force the coaches’ hand.

“I have an idea of ​​who is sitting in which chair at any given time. But chairs come and go. If you think you have a chair, make sure you keep it.”

As long as it’s not the electric chair.

Higher, further, stronger

Jakov Novak performs a jump under the watchful eye of Laurent Dauphin and Mitch Freeburn during physical testing day at the Canadiens’ camp in Brossard.

Photo provided by Pierre Bourgault / Canadian Hockey Club

Every good self-esteem camp inevitably begins with a session of medical examinations and physical tests. While these famous tests were dreaded by players in the past, this no longer seems to be the case.

“I was very excited about these tests because they were very demanding,” recalls Martin St-Louis.

“Today we know that the guys are in good shape. In fact, the tests are mainly to determine which aspects need to be worked on. This will allow us to personalize their off-ice training,” he explained.

Joshua Jacobs in action during a physical test while his Canadian camp teammates Lucas Condotta and Jakov Novak wait their turn.

Photo provided by Pierre Bourgault / Canadian Hockey Club

And obviously habits have changed.

“Back then, we had a training camp to get in shape,” recalls St-Louis. Nowadays, men train at least 11 months a year. »

If St. Louis sees a generational divide, imagine how Rob Ramage feels, the Canadiens’ director of player development whose first professional season dates back to 1978.

“When I arrived in Birmingham [dans l’Association mondiale de hockey]the boys told me that the players would be at their best in December because it was a very good league. Nowadays they arrive at the camp and they are already ready,” he said.