Renee: We are back in the Bell Centre, but not for a game. We’re here to settle the score on who actually makes this roster. Ivan Demidov just signed an eight-year deal, Brendan Gallagher is in Vancouver, and now we have a defensive logjam that looks like it’s going to last until January. Who starts? Who sits? And does Lane Hutson survive the cut?
Joel: It’s a different beast than last season, Renee. You can’t just throw bodies out there anymore. The depth chart is crowded, especially down the middle and on the blue line. We’ve got Nick Suzuki, Phillip Danault, Kirby Dach, Owen Beck... and then some. Plus, the goalie situation is wide open.
Renee: That’s right. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network. I’m Renee, joined by Joel. Today is all about roster battles. We’re breaking down the center ice crunch, the defensive logjam, and predicting who gets the call when the puck drops against Toronto on September 29th. Let’s dive in.
Joel: Exactly. And remember, last time we talked, we predicted you’d finish second in the Atlantic with 47 wins. That still feels right, but only if these battles resolve correctly by October.
Renee: Let’s talk about the biggest question mark: Center Ice. We have Nick Suzuki leading the pack, obviously. But behind him? It’s a war zone. Phillip Danault, Kirby Dach, Owen Beck, Jake Evans, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Jared Davidson. That’s seven centers on the main roster list. How do you fit them?
Joel: It’s brutal. Suzuki is your number one. Danault is your shutdown number two. The battle for the third line spot is where it gets interesting. Kirby Dach has the size and the skill, but he’s coming off injury concerns. Owen Beck is the gritty option. Alex Newhook is versatile but maybe better suited for wing.
Renee: I think Newhook moves to left wing to clear space. That leaves Dach vs. Beck for that third-line role. Beck brings the energy, but Dach needs to prove he’s healthy. What about Oliver Kapanen? He’s young, fast. Does he compete for minutes immediately?
Joel: Kapanen is trending up. He’s got speed, but he needs to get stronger. If he wants to stay, he probably starts as the fourth-line grinder or goes to the AHL. Jared Davidson is another guy who needs to impress in camp. He’s small, so he needs to be perfect in his own zone.
Renee: So, Suzuki-Danault-Newhook, and then Dach-Beck-Evans? Or is Evans pushed further down? Jake Evans is a veteran presence. He’s reliable. But with Kapanen and Davidson breathing down their necks, no one is safe.
Joel: Evans stays for sure. He’s a lock for the fourth line. But I see Dach getting the nod over Beck initially because of the power play upside. Beck might start in the AHL unless he dominates camp. That’s my read.
Renee: Interesting. So, Suzuki, Danault, Dach, Newhook, Evans, Beck/Kapanen. That’s six. Where does Alex Newhook play? Left wing?
Joel: Yes. Put him next to Juraj Slafkovsky or Brett Berard. It balances the lineup. Now, let’s move to the other side of the ice. Right Wing. This is where Ivan Demidov comes in.
Renee: The elephant in the room. Eight years. A lot of money for a rookie who was runner-up for Calder. But look at the competition: Cole Caufield, Patrik Laine, Josh Anderson, Zack Bolduc, Sam Poulin, Alex Belzile. That’s a lot of talent.
Joel: It’s crowded. Caufield is your number one right wing. Laine is your number two. Demidov is fighting for a top-six spot. Anderson is the fourth-line power forward. Bolduc and Poulin are depth. Demidov has to earn his keep every single night.
Renee: Do you think Demidov beats out Josh Anderson for a top-six spot? Anderson is older, more experienced. Demidov is younger, faster.
Joel: If Demidov plays like he did last season, yes. He’s too good to sit on the fourth line. But Anderson provides physicality. I think Demidov slides in as the third right wing, playing alongside a center like Evans or Beck. It’s a risky move, but the team needs his offense.
Renee: Okay, so Demidov gets the nod. What about Patrik Laine? Is he still our number two right wing? He’s been inconsistent in the past.
Joel: Laine is your number two. His shot is elite. He needs to stay healthy. If he’s on the ice, you’re looking at goals. But if he’s injured, who steps up? Alex Belzile? Sam Poulin? They’re capable, but they’re not Laine.
Renee: Right. So, Caufield-Laine-Demidov as the top three right wings. Anderson on the fourth line. Bolduc and Poulin competing for the last spot. Got it. Now, let’s talk about the real problem area. Defense.
Joel: Oh boy. The defense. This is the logjam we talked about yesterday. Noah Dobson, Alexandre Carrier, Adam Engstrom, Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Joel Matheson, Owen Protz, David Reinbacher, Ethan Samson, Jayden Struble, Maksymilian Szuber, Arber Xhekaj. Twelve defensemen. Twelve.
Renee: Twelve! That’s insane. Last time we predicted a trade before the deadline to fix this. Do you think it happens now? In preseason?
Joel: I think it’s happening. You can’t carry twelve defensemen. You need ten. Maybe eleven if you’re desperate. So, two guys are going. Probably someone from the bottom half of the group. Xavier? Samson? Struble?
Renee: Who are the locks? Obviously, Noah Dobson is your number one. Kaiden Guhle is your number two. Lane Hutson is your number three. He’s small, but he’s incredible. He’s not going anywhere.
Joel: Hutson is a lock. He’s the future. But what about the veterans? Alexandre Carrier? Adam Engstrom? They have experience. But they’re also expensive. If you’re trying to clear cap space, Carrier might be the one to move.
Renee: Carrier is tough. He’s a steady defender. But Engstrom is cheaper. Maybe Engstrom gets traded? Or maybe they keep both and send one to the AHL.
Joel: AHL doesn’t help if you’re already carrying too many. You need to trade one. I think Carrier is the most likely candidate. He’s valuable, he has trade value. They can get a prospect back. Then they keep Guhle, Dobson, Hutson, Engstrom, Matheson, and Reinbacher.
Renee: Wait, Reinbacher? He’s young. He’s been developing. Do you really trust him over Samson or Struble?
Joel: Reinbacher has high upside. He’s a defenseman who can skate. Samson and Struble are more projectable. Reinbacher is closer to NHL ready. So, Guhle, Dobson, Hutson, Engstrom, Matheson, Reinbacher. Six defensemen. Perfect.
Renee: What about Arber Xhekaj? He’s big, he’s physical. Where does he fit?
Joel: Xhekaj is a fringe player. He might make the team as the seventh defenseman, but he’s vulnerable. If someone gets hurt, he’s up. Otherwise, he’s likely the first call-up from the AHL. He’s not making the opening day roster unless he shocks everyone.
Renee: Okay, so the core is Dobson, Guhle, Hutson. The veterans are Engstrom and Matheson. Reinbacher is the wildcard. And Carrier is gone. That sounds manageable. Now, let’s talk goalies. Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kaapo Kahkonen, Sam Montembeault. Four goalies.
Joel: Four goalies is crazy. You only need two. Montembeault is the starter. He’s proven. He’s consistent. Kahkonen is the backup. He’s solid. Dobes and Fowler are prospects. One of them is going to the AHL.
Renee: Dobes had a great rookie year. He won Rookie of the Month a few times. Do you think he challenges Montembeault?
Joel: Not yet. Montembeault is the veteran. He knows the system. Dobes is talented, but he needs more seasoning. I think Dobes starts in the AHL unless Montembeault struggles early. Then it becomes a competition.
Renee: And Jacob Fowler? He’s young. He’s raw. Does he even make camp?
Joel: Fowler might not even make camp. He’s very young. They might keep him in juniors or the AHL. Dobes is the one to watch. If he shines in camp, he could steal the backup job. But for now, Montembeault-Kahkonen is the pair.
Renee: So, Montembeault starts. Kahkonen backs up. Dobes and Fowler go down. Simple. But wait, what about the left wing battle? We haven’t talked about that much. Juraj Slafkovsky, Brett Berard, Florian Xhekaj, Alexandre Texier.
Joel: Slafkovsky is your number one left wing. He’s huge, he’s skilled. Berard is your number two. He’s fast, he’s energetic. Xhekaj and Texier are competing for the third line spot. Texier has more experience. Xhekaj is bigger.
Renee: I think Texier edges it out. He’s been around longer. He knows how to play. Xhekaj is still figuring things out. So, Slafkovsky-Berard-Texier as the top three left wings?
Joel: That works. It gives you balance. Slafkovsky on the top line, Berard on the second, Texier on the third. Xhekaj is the fourth line option. He brings physicality. But he’s not scoring goals right now.
Renee: Okay, so we’ve covered centers, right wings, left wings, defense, and goalies. It’s a tight roster. Lots of competition. Who are the players trending up? Who’s trending down?
Joel: Trending up: Ivan Demidov. He’s got the contract, he’s got the skill. He’s making a statement. Also, Lane Hutson. Everyone sees his potential. He’s not going anywhere. And Owen Beck. If he plays with grit, he’ll hold onto a spot.
Renee: Trending down: Arber Xhekaj. He’s big, but he’s slow. He’s not keeping up with the pace. And maybe Adam Engstrom? If they trade Carrier, Engstrom might be the next one out. He’s not flashy enough.
Joel: Engstrom is safe for now. He’s reliable. But Xhekaj is definitely on the bubble. He needs to show he can contribute offensively, not just physically. Otherwise, he’s a healthy scratch.
Renee: What about Alex Newhook? We said he might move to wing. Does that help his chances?
Joel: Absolutely. Moving to wing clears up center ice. It gives him more room to operate. He’s a natural scorer. On wing, he can focus on shooting and passing. It’s a smart move by the coaches.
Renee: So, Newhook to left wing. Slafkovsky stays. Berard stays. Texier fights for the third line. Xhekaj is in trouble. Got it. Any final predictions for the opening night roster?
Joel: Here’s my projection: Suzuki-Danault-Demidov. Bergeron-Caferri... wait, no Bergeron. Evans-Beck-Xhekaj. Slafkovsky-Berard-Texier. Guhle-Hutson-Dobson. Guhle-Matheson-Reinburger. Montembeault-Kahkonen.
Renee: Wait, you said Reinburger? You meant Reinbacher. And where is Josh Anderson?
Joel: My bad, Reinbacher. Anderson is on the fourth line with Beck and Xhekaj. He provides power. He’s a veteran leader. He’s not starting, but he’s important.
Renee: Okay, so Anderson is the fourth-line right wing. Got it. So, Suzuki-Danault-Demidov. Evans-Beck-Xhekaj. Slafkovsky-Berard-Texier. Anderson on the fourth line. Defense: Guhle-Hutson-Dobson. Guhle-Matheson-Reinbacher. Montembeault-Kahkonen.
Joel: That’s a solid team. It’s balanced. It’s skilled. It’s tough. If they stay healthy, they’re dangerous. Especially with Demidov on the top line.
Renee: There you have it. The Habs roster is set, mostly. Demidov is locked in, the defense is being trimmed, and the goalies are settled. Who do you agree with? Who do you disagree with? Let us know.
Joel: Subscribe, rate, and review. Share this episode with a fellow Habs fan. Let’s get this conversation going. We’ll see you next time.
Renee: Go Habs Go!