The Canadiens’ forward group is getting crowded fast, and Kent Hughes may soon have to make a move to clear the deck.
Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj were healthy scratches last night, according to journalist Marc-Olivier Beaudoin, even with Xhekaj having dropped the gloves against the Jets. That came in the same kind of spotlight his brother Arber drew with a pair of fights of his own.
The squeeze gets tighter from there. Ivan Demidov is out with an ankle injury and isn’t expected back before November 14, while Kirby Dach is back in the mix. Once Demidov returns, the Canadiens simply won’t have enough lineup spots to keep everyone happy.
Beck has made a strong early case to stay. In a small sample, he’s produced three points in five games, and that production doesn’t look like a fluke. He shouldn’t be the one pushed out just because Montreal has depth.
That leaves Oliver Kapanen and Dach as the more obvious names to watch. Kapanen has only one point in nine games, and his entry-level contract runs out at season’s end.
Dach is a tougher call. He missed practice because of an illness, then came back and immediately delivered a goal and an assist against Utah. Even so, his contract - with a cap hit below $4 million - also expires this season, which could make him a candidate if Hughes decides to move before waiting too long.
The Canadiens don’t need to swing for the fences here. A draft pick for either player would be enough to make sense, especially with Montreal sitting sixth in the NHL at 10-3-3.
Beaudoin summed up the situation on X:
"Just like what happened to Jayden Struble on the defensive brigade side, I wouldn't be surprised if a forward soon becomes a "victim" of the offensive depth on the Canadiens."
- Marc-Olivier Beaudoin
In Other News...
Canadiens Game Just Took A Turn After Key Utah Blue-Liner Exit
The game between Montreal and Utah took a notable turn in the second period when the Mammoth lost veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt to an upper-body injury. Schmidt, who brings plenty of NHL experience to Utahs blue line, was ruled out for the rest of the night after the team confirmed he would not return.
Utah did not offer any further details on the injury or say exactly when Schmidt exited, leaving the situation a little murky as the game moved on. For Montreal, any absence on the back end can change the look of a matchup quickly, especially against a defenseman with Schmidts track record and steady presence. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Face A Growing Problem Ahead Of Montreal
The Maple Leafs are still tinkering with their forward mix as they get ready for Montreal, a sign of a lineup that is trying to settle itself at just the right time. Jack Roslovic was given a maintenance day, and Vinni Lettieri moved into a prominent spot as Toronto looks for more balance up front. Head coach Jim Hiller has made it clear the issue is not just who is available, but how long the club is spending in its own end.
For Montreal, the bigger picture is that Toronto is still managing a few moving parts while trying to sharpen its attack. John Tavares is moving forward in his recovery, but his return is not imminent until he clears the next checkpoint. The Maple Leafs want cleaner offensive-zone play and less defending, and the Canadiens will be watching to see whether those adjustments hold up once the puck drops. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Lineup Crunch Is Putting Real Pressure On Martin St-Louis
Martin St-Louis is running into a good problem, but it is still a problem. With captain Nick Suzuki back in the lineup and Kirby Dach also returning to health, the Canadiens coach had to make some difficult calls, and Suzuki immediately rewarded the decision with a goal and two assists in his first game back.
The bigger issue for Montreal is what happens next, because the roster is getting deeper at the same time other players have earned their way into the conversation. St-Louis has already acknowledged how hard these choices are, and as more bodies become available, the Canadiens may be heading toward even tougher lineup decisions. [Read more 🡒]