The Montreal Canadiens’ training camp has been pared down from three groups to two, and that shift makes the picture a lot clearer as roster cuts loom.
Wednesday morning brought the new setup, as revealed by Karine Hains among others, and the message behind it was hard to miss: the list is getting tight, and the next round of decisions is coming fast.
Group A is now packed with the Canadiens’ established regulars, along with Florian Xhekaj, Owen Beck, Adam Engström and David Reinbacher. On paper, those four are the only players left with a real shot at breaking into the lineup.
Florian Xhekaj’s placement stands out in particular. Being grouped with the regulars makes him a clear finalist for a spot on the Canadiens’ opening roster.
Jayden Struble remains in Group A as well, even after a tougher first preseason game. Arber Xhekaj is also there.
One name that does not appear anywhere in the new setup is Ivan Demidov. He is not listed among the active players or the injured ones, but that’s because he was taking a treatment day today.
The other side of the split is far less complicated. Well-informed sources have confirmed that the players in Group B are expected to be cut soon, and that it would only be a formality.
With each team required to submit a final 23-man roster by 5 p.m. on September 28, the clock is now very much part of the story. These next few days will decide which of the names in Group A actually stick around for the regular season.
In Other News...
Canadiens Blue-Line Battle Just Got More Complicated At Camp
The Canadiens blue-line picture at 2026 training camp is already starting to shift, and David Reinbacher has put himself squarely in the middle of it. General manager Kent Hughes has been upbeat about what he has seen from the young defenseman, and Reinbacher has taken advantage of a camp where every rep matters and every look seems to count a little more than usual.
Kaiden Guhles prolonged absence has only widened the opening for Reinbacher, giving Montreal a closer look at how he fits into the mix right now rather than somewhere down the road. The competition is still crowded, with Adam Engstrm and Jayden Struble also pushing for roster spots, so nothing is being handed out yet, but Reinbacher has clearly made this more interesting than it was a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Fans Have One Huge Reason To Worry About Hellebuyck
Connor Hellebuycks contract situation has turned into one of the more fascinating early-season standoffs in the league, and it is the kind of development that inevitably gets attention in Montreal. The Jets goalie has requested a trade and has not yet reported to camp while waiting for a deal, with reports indicating he could be open to landing with Canadian teams such as Edmonton or Montreal. There is also some belief that he may prefer a move to a U.S. club, which only adds another layer to a situation that already has plenty of moving parts.
For the Canadiens, the intrigue is obvious because the team is always watching for a chance to upgrade in goal, and a name like Hellebuyck changes the conversation immediately. Winnipeg, for its part, is not rushing into anything and has been firm about the return it wants, so this is far from a simple fit-and-finish scenario. Until the Jets decide whether to keep pushing for the right trade package, the whole thing sits in a holding pattern that keeps multiple fan bases, including Montreals, paying close attention. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Opening Night Trust Calls Are Starting To Take Shape
With the regular season drawing closer, the Canadiens opening-night picture is starting to come into focus from the preseason combinations that have been getting the most run. The top end of the lineup has been easy enough to sketch out, with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki still central to everything up front and Juraj Slafkovsky part of the mix as the staff sorts through the best balance for scoring and puck support.
The bigger question is how the rest of the forward group settles and which defense pair gets the first real test once the games count. Montreal still has some moving parts in the bottom six and on the third pair, and the preseason has suggested those spots may be handled with a little rotation early on rather than locked in immediately. [Read more 🡒]