Eleven different defenders wore the Canadian uniform last season and 14 did so during the previous campaign.
Even if he hopes to see his team be less affected by injuries this winter, head coach Martin St-Louis reminded Wednesday that he will need more than the minimum players this season and that defender Logan Mailloux should have a turn on the ride.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s recalled,” St-Louis said Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Mailloux was traded to the Laval Rocket. We’ll see. I wouldn’t bet on Logan not playing an NHL game this season. Injuries happen.
“The kid showed that he is capable of playing. »
Mailloux played three preparatory matches in his first camp as a player with the Canadian.
Last fall, the Habs’ first pick in 2021, 31st overall, participated in several practices despite an injury, but he did not play a preparatory game.
“He had progressed during training,” recalled St-Louis. This year I saw the same thing. There isn’t a person who can say he didn’t have a good camp. It’s promising. He has good skills and is a proud competitor. That’s exciting. »
St-Louis justified the decision to transfer Mailloux to the Rocket despite his good camp by explaining that he will have a more important role with the Habs’ farm club, which is ideal for continuing his learning.
Fight at the blue line
There are still 10 defenders left in the Canadian’s lineup, including Chris Wideman (back), who is sidelined for a still undetermined period. Gustav Lindstrom, acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in the Jeff Petry trade, is hampered by an upper-body injury and has been limited to just one preseason game so far in camp.
Mattias Norlinder and Justin Barron therefore currently seem to be fighting for a regular or seventh defenseman position at the start of the season. However, both do not have to be subject to waivers to be transferred to the Rocket and are therefore also likely to be cut for this reason.
For a second year in a row, Barron does not have a strong camp. We don’t see the same defender who played with aplomb with the Habs in the second half of the campaign and who helped Canada win gold at the World Championship this spring.
For his part, Norlinder is playing with more confidence than last year, when he was preparing to play his first full season in North America.
“He favors puck possession and shows composure,” St-Louis said of the 23-year-old Swede. He is very confident on the opposing blue line. His level of competition is higher than at camp last year.
“He had heavy tasks against the Maple Leafs (Monday in Toronto) and he did well. We’ll evaluate him until the end of camp, but I’m happy so far. »
Norlinder progressed over the months with the Rocket last winter. He admitted that he needed time to adapt to North American rinks, which are narrower than those in Europe.
St-Louis believes, however, that Norlinder’s progress is not limited to this factor.
“I’m not sure that’s the source of all the difference, but it probably didn’t hurt,” St-Louis said. He grew up over a large area. I had a hard time at the Olympic Games. I didn’t like the big box.
“Eventually, you find your bearings and that can’t hurt, but there’s more than the size of the rink that matters in hockey,” concluded St-Louis.