Martin St-Louis Hints at Identity of the Next Canadiens Forwards to Be Cut
Photo credit: NHL
We're all eager to see the final lineup of the Montreal Canadiens to start the 2025-2026 season.
There's a particularly good internal competition for a forward spot!
This competition is between Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Samuel Blais, and Joe Veleno.
Three of these five players are likely to stay in Montreal, while two will be cut.
A hint from Martin St-Louis
Today live from Brossard, the Canadiens' head coach revealed a big clue about the outcome of this internal competition.
Notably, because of their contracts, Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj are the ones most likely to be the next forwards cut.
It's simple.
Cutting Joe Veleno and Samuel Blais would also probably mean losing them on NHL waivers (and Kent Hughes along with Martin St-Louis don't want that).
Cutting Florian Xhekaj and Owen Beck would simply mean sending them immediately and freely to the Laval Rocket.
Anyway, as TVA Sports journalist Anthony Martineau mentions, the decision seems to be made up front.
"St-Louis seems to have made his choice in attack and I'm not a fan.
-A player who's just asking for a chance to find himself.
-Very interesting comments from Zach Bolduc.
See you soon!" - Anthony Martineau
-A player who's just asking for a chance to find himself.
-Very interesting comments from Zach Bolduc.
See you soon!" - Anthony Martineau
That choice would be Oliver Kapanen!
Expect Kapanen to start the season on Alex Newhook's line, and possibly with Ivan Demidov.
That would make Samuel Blais and Joe Veleno the team's 13th and 14th forwards.
Do you think it's the right decision to prefer Oliver Kapanen over names like Florian Xhekaj, Sammy Blais, and Joe Veleno?
Personally, I'm not a fan either, but I'm open to Kapanen proving me wrong.
In any case, all signs point to him!
More details to come.
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