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Habs draft video is out, and while they can't name certain players by name, it's clear Gorton makes a pitch for Michkov that the rest of the team doesn't go for: https://twitter.com/HabsFanTV_/status/1 ... NcFdg&s=19

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There are two things I really like about this video. First it acknowledges reality. Sometimes you need to take a chance. Second, it shows that Gorton wanted Michkov probably. That’s cool third he’s not such an arrogant prick as to say I’m in charge. We’re doing it my way. I like all these aspect. How he is running this team.

Rookie camp starts Sept 13. Maybe our only chance to see Reinbacher stateside for now assuming he goes back to Kloten (his coach there has multi-generational ties to the Canadiens, oddly enough).

Another guy I'm interested to see more of is Sean Farrell. I just feel there's nothing really blocking him if he's ready. He's probably headed to Laval, but if he shows anything, maybe not?

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Rookie camp is upon us and we've got some big boys in attendance:

Reinbacher 6'3, 209
Mailloux 6'3, 220
Heineman 6'2, 202
Florian Xhekaj 6'3, 188
Beck 6'0, 197
Struble 6'0, 202

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Interesting note about Filip Mesar, the forgotten first round pick who didn't do much for his lousy OHL team after being drafted: Laval coach JF Houle sees him as a future centre, and when he plays up the middle he's a Scott Gomez clone who can carry the puck through neutral ice with ease. This potentially changes things because he didn't look like much of a trigger man, but he was a dominant puck handler in the WJC a year ago.

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Reinbacher is headed back to Switzerland as planned, but it's hard not to be excited about him and Guhle forming a top defensive pairing down the line. (Provided there's enough offence there.)

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He hasn’t played for the Habs in ages but here’s a video of Zac Fucale having a joyous moment.

https://x.com/hockeynewshub/status/1725 ... yR9BLHXYUg

They fired Reinbacher's coach in Kloten and now he's playing major minutes with Nate Beaulieu. Time is a flat circle.

And Mesar is tearing up the OHL. Hope he can translate that momentum when he gets back to the pros.

Hutson is breaking records in NCAA. He'll be in Montreal by the end of the season.

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Wait what? Marcel Hossa is a boxer now?

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Zp08BACkC ... QzNmJjMA==

Mesar and Hutson are looking good in the WJC.

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Hutson was a beast for the US in the WJC. Already has a chest full of awards and records. He's small, but he seems so far ahead of the curve I'm not too worried about how he'll adapt in the pros. That's good because Reinbacher is in a dire situation in relegation-bound Kloten. I think Hughes wants both of them out of their respective teams and in Montreal come October 2024.

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Joshua Roy has 3 points in 10 NHL games. 32 in 40 for Laval. More importantly, he's pretty smart out there, and I think once he adjusts to the speed and physicality, he'll be better suited for top 6 duty than bottom 6.

Defensive prospects are messy right now, not necessarily in a bad way. Guhle is a future top 4, probably is one already. Then they have Harris, Struble, Xhekaj, Barron (in Laval), Kovacevic all vying for middle/bottom pairing roles. Struble and Xhekaj are an enticing duo because they're both massive, immovable objects that can actually help on offence, but they're not burners. Harris has hit the injury wall but is the most reliable of the bunch. Barron needs work but he's got the most offensive upside. Kovacevic is a steady eddie and right handed, he can stick around.

With Reinbacher, Mailloux, Hutson all possibly sticking in Montreal at various points next season, I'm not sure who the odd men out will be in the end.

A defence with Guhle, Reinbacher, Struble and Xhekaj would just be so hard to contain. All big boys who can hit. Add Hutson/Barron/Mailloux for offence, and you've got the makings of a good top 6.

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David Reinbacher's season is over in Switzerland. He's now eligible to come stateside.

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2023 first round pick David Reinbacher, who was already signed but on loan to his Swiss club, will finish his season in Laval.

It'll be really interesting to see what happens after that. Habs have been aggressive with their promotions.

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Reinbacher has 3 points in 6 games in Laval so far. I thought the Habs might keep him on the farm next season, but now I have my doubts. He's physically manhandling veteran players along the boards and getting outlet passes out. Doesn't look like a guy who needs a lot of AHL time.

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Habs sign F Florian Xhekaj, brother of Arber, to an ELC.

Unlike his bro, they drafted Florian as an overager. This new regime has a thing for late bloomers/late risers. Florian didn't look like much at first, but this season lead the way on his OHL team and basically looks like a big front of net basher in the making.

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Now those are some names.

Lane Hutson's college season has come to an end and it's expected he'll sign his ELC with the Habs any minute now.

So did Luke Tuch's (they're teammates) and he can wait to become a UFA, but honestly there's lots of room for him in Laval and maybe Montreal down the line if he wants to try his luck with the team that drafted him. Has none of the offence of his brother Alex, but is big and can move like his bro.

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Yep, he signed.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/bo ... canadiens/

He'll burn the first year off his ELC in front of a hometown crowd in Detroit. Very cool for him.

It'll be really interesting to see how soon he, Reinbacher and Mailloux get a serious chance at cracking the Habs lineup next season. Might as well have Hutson-Reino as a top pairing in Laval and bring them up together when they're ready.

Not sure what the Habs top 6 will look like, they've got a lot of bodies but need a true second pair to emerge behind Guhle.

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