Cole Caufield’s absence from Canadiens practice in Brossard created a quick but intriguing look at how Martin St-Louis might shuffle his forwards once camp gets going.
The most noticeable change had Kirby Dach sliding onto the top line with Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky. That trio formed because Caufield, who is usually the third man on that unit, was not on the ice.
“In Cole Caufield's absence, Kirby Dach completes the top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky.”
For now, it’s only a summer snapshot, but these kinds of sessions can still hint at what St-Louis has in mind. Dach, too, has a little extra riding on the opportunity. He’s been facing recent criticism about his lack of effort, and getting a look next to the captain is a useful chance to respond.
Caufield’s absence also raises a more interesting possibility: what if he ends up on a second line with Ivan Demidov?
That pairing makes obvious sense on paper. Demidov’s playmaking could mesh well with Caufield’s scoring touch, giving Montreal a second dangerous offensive duo rather than concentrating the firepower in one spot. Demidov led all NHL rookies with 62 points last year, while Caufield finished with 51 goals.
If that combination ever sticks, it could give the Canadiens two elite scoring lines instead of one.
Of course, none of this is set in stone. These summer combinations are informal, and there’s no guarantee they carry over once training camp begins.
The real sorting-out starts on September 16, when St-Louis gets to work on the actual line combinations.
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Canadiens Fans Will Recognize Who Stepped Into Logan Cooleys Scuffle
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Canadiens Rookie Camp Has Two Names Fans Should Track Closely
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Two of the players worth tracking are Tyler Thorpe and Luke Mittelstadt, each bringing a different kind of intrigue. Thorpe arrives as a big winger with a year of pro experience under his belt, while Mittelstadt comes in as a defender with a long college rsum and the kind of two-way profile teams like to test in a setting where details matter as much as highlight plays. [Read more 🡒]