Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Defenceman Kaiden Guhle hit the ice for the first time since his appendix was removed. As of now, the 22-year-old is considered day-to-day, and should be ready to play once the regular season begins.
#Habs defenceman Kaiden Guhle on ice this morning in Brossard after having his appendix removed last week #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/K2Z0qeHpJ7
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 26, 2024
The Canadiens failed to push their preseason winning streak to three games after suffering a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Truth be told, the scoreline is flattering considering how poorly the team played. There were a few standouts, mind you, including goaltender Jakub Dobes, not to mention defencemen Jayden Struble and Lane Hutson. As for the forwards, the oft-maligned Christian Dvorak led the charge amidst calls from fans that he should no longer be part of the starting lineup. [Canadiens Instant Recap: Dobes, Struble, And Hutson Shine]
Oliver Kapanen is the main reason some are suggesting Dvorak should be replaced. Despite his strong play at camp, the 21-year-old will be hard-pressed to earn a roster spot unless a trade can be arranged. Teams rarely want to mix things up shortly before the regular season starts. [Montreal Canadiens Forward Depth Chart – A Trade Would Help]
Reporter: “How has your confidence grown since you’ve been here? It looks like you started at a good place but has it grown?”
Oliver Kapanen: “I mean of course since the last game & those scrimmages, I felt good. My confidence is pretty high at the moment & I feel good.” pic.twitter.com/79sHLzdOgC
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 26, 2024
National Hockey Now Network
The New Jersey Devils officially have just one game left in the preseason before they get on a plane and head to Prague. Well, the NHL squad does, anyway. That means that training camp is coming to an end and the 2024-25 regular season will be here soon. [New Jersey Devils]
Eight days into training camp, the Pittsburgh Penguins have made their second round of roster cuts, paring 11 players on Monday as they went from having three practice groups to two. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
Matvei Michkov was the star of the show at the Wells Fargo Centre on Thursday night, recording his first two points at home as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2-0 shutout victory over the New York Islanders. [Philadelphia Flyers]
