With Mike Matheson’s return imminent, the Montreal Canadiens will inevitably have to make room to add the defenseman to the roster.

During his segment The exam, our journalist Renaud Lavoie said on the JiC show that he expected Russian Evgenii Dadonov to be the one who would take the hit. Renaud said he could be put on waivers as early as next week.

Watch the full segment in the video above

“Mike Hoffman? He will not receive any waivers and we know it will be difficult to swap his contract. Jonathan Drouin? I don’t think we’ll do without sacrifices either. We are therefore obliged to return to Evgenii Dadonov. Dadonov still doesn’t have a point and we don’t feel like he’s threatening. So this becomes your ideal candidate when you decide to drop a player. »

“I’m not saying it’s going to happen 100% because there’s a lot of things that can happen, but…”

Thirteen attackers and eight defenders

According to the TVA Sports journalist, the Habs would therefore opt for a formation of thirteen attackers and eight defenders.

“People might think that CH will give away a defender to the American League, but that won’t be the case. »

Chris Weitman

Granted, Chris Wideman could be an option, but Renaud doesn’t see the organization in that direction.

“Chris Wideman is a guy making a difference in this dressing room. He came last year and is a guy who takes care of the team, as Martin St-Louis likes to say. I don’t think it’s the right thing to give in to a guy like Wideman,” he explained.

“He’s not having an exceptional start to the season, but he’s someone who’s making his work. He is also not a player who whines and annoys in the dressing room. I’m not saying it’s Dadonov, but there’s a logic to that. »

Don’t touch young people

While he thinks it’s unlikely, one thing is certain for Renaud: it won’t be one of the young prodigies taking the tube towards Montmorency station.

“As we started the season, we heard that Slafkovsky and Xhekaj would be sent to Rocket soon. We just didn’t do it because we realized that these young people could also advance in the NHL. »

Mike Matheson could return against the Philadelphia Flyers at Bell Center next week on Saturday.