The Canadian will kick off the activities of his 2023-2024 season by hosting his traditional golf tournament on Monday. This is followed by the rookie camp, which partly takes place in Buffalo, and then the actual training camp. Rebuilding will continue this season. Still, there will be some very notable deployments when players refer to Martin St-Louis. In the next days The newspaper introduces you to the most important ones.

Marc Bergevin used to say: “You can never have enough defenders.” The Canadian’s former general manager left the team on November 28, 2021, but that message is likely to resonate when players hop onto the ice.

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If everyone is healthy, there shouldn’t be too many questions about the top 4. Michael Matheson and David Savard will mentor their young teammates. What Kaiden Guhle and Arber

Behind it there is a risk of an elbow bump.

At 25, Johnathan Kovacevic got his first real chance in the NHL when the Canadiens claimed him for waivers almost a year ago. He used the Habs’ many injuries to the blue line to keep himself in the Landesliga.

Despite being an honest worker, one wonders if there will be room for him in a healthy defensive squad. The fact that he is one of the Canadian’s few right-backs will work in his favour, unlike his two-part deal.

Chris Wideman, still at right flank, may be appreciated by his coaches and seems like a big brother to his teammates, but one wonders if Kent Hughes and Martin St-Louis can afford to add a player to their lineup whose sole purpose it is seems to play a part in the numerical superiority.

Especially since the Habs general staff will undoubtedly want to make room for Gustav Lindstrom, also a right-hander who was acquired as part of the transaction that brought Jeff Petry to Detroit.

The camp will be a great opportunity for the 24-year-old Swede to introduce himself to his new bosses. Stéphane Robidas recently admitted not being able to see him at work, except for a few video sequences.

For his part, Jordan Harris will begin the first campaign of a two-year deal. The 23-year-old full-back is set to step up this winter.

The card traitors

What will happen to Justin Barron, another right-hander? The 21-year-old defender, who the Habs got their hands on in exchange for Artturri Lehkonen, is slow to come through.

Last year he showed that he has a certain offensive feeling. However, there is still a lot to do defensively. The Nova Scotian could suffer due to the many backs in camp.

This winter, he will play a role in his future as he becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

First choice of the Canadiens (5^e total) in July, could David Reinbacher sneak in this year? If he knows a good team, he could force the management to act.

MARTIN ALARIE / MONTREAL JOURNAL

However, the choice must be clear. Otherwise, the Canadian would be keen to let him play a second season in the Swiss National League. The Habs can’t afford to lose a year of development time by using him sporadically or sending him to the stands.

Another first pick for the team will also draw attention: Logan Mailloux, whose absolution is expected to be confirmed by the NHL shortly. Due to a shoulder injury, the Ontarian was able to stay with the team for a few months last winter. He will not reach the camp on unknown territory. Like Arber Xhekaj, whom everyone in Laval would expect, he might come and confuse matters.

William Trudeau turned heads at training camp last year. Since then, the leadership of the team has only spoken positively of him. Trudeau celebrating his 21st birthday^e Anniversary on October 11th, shouldn’t start the season in Montreal, but who knows? Another good camp and another good start to the season and he could get a good spot on the recall list.