The Canadiens may be heading into training camp with one of their biggest lineup questions still wide open, but Grant McCagg thinks Kent Hughes already has a plan in mind.
The theory is simple: Montreal may be comfortable giving Oliver Kapanen a real shot at the second-line center job, which would help explain why the team stayed quiet on a major move this summer. McCagg also thinks that same line of thinking could extend to David Reinbacher, with Hughes potentially viewing the young defenseman as ready to handle a meaningful role on the blue line as soon as this season.
McCagg, though, isn’t sold on Kapanen as the answer just yet. He pointed out that a strong share of the forward’s 20 goals last season came with Ivan Demidov on his wing, and he also noted that Kapanen’s game didn’t translate as cleanly in the playoffs, when he was often overpowered physically.
For McCagg, Alex Newhook is the more appealing option to open the year in that spot. He said Newhook looked good in the playoffs and had been playing well before getting hurt last season.
That second-line center competition should be one of the main storylines once camp opens. Kapanen, Newhook, Kirby Dach and Jake Evans are all expected to get a crack at the job.
Michael Hage is also part of the larger picture, but not right away. He’s expected to start the season at Michigan, which removes another possible center option from Montreal’s short-term plans. The Canadiens are expected to bring him into the organization later in the season, sometime in the spring of 2027.
Reinbacher’s situation feels just as important. McCagg called it a now-or-never moment for the defenseman and said he needs to show he can stick in the NHL, mistakes and all. He would like to see Martin St-Louis keep Reinbacher with the big club to begin the season instead of sending him back to Laval.
With camp nearing, Montreal should finally start getting answers on two questions that have been hanging around for weeks.
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Peter Laviolette III, the former Laval Rocket forward, was the player who stepped in once the exchange with Kulakov escalated. Cooley helped spark the incident, but he did not continue fighting after the other two players dropped the gloves, leaving the brief scuffle as one more reminder of how quickly summer games can turn into something a little more serious. [Read more 🡒]