Montreal Canadiens Training Camp Storylines to Watch

The 2025 edition of the Montreal Canadiens training camp is less than two weeks away. The Canadiens rookie showcase is already underway as we ramp up into the preseason. Montreal opens up against the Pittsburgh Penguins on the 22nd. This year’s training camp has a much different feel to it as the expectation is now playoffs for this team. With that being said, the Canadiens are icing a much stronger lineup and will have less availability on their roster. There will be some interesting battles as training camp progresses for young players, new players, and veterans alike. Let’s take a look at some of the storylines to watch out for in the 2025 Montreal Canadiens Training Camp.

Montreal Canadiens Training Camp

Battle for the Final Defence Spot

One of the most intriguing battles in Montreal’s training camp will be for the final defence position. We know that Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, and Alex Carrier will all be on the roster. However, there are three more defencemen vying for a role on the team. Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and former fifth overall pick, David Reinbacher, will all have a say in the matter.

Xhekaj brings a physical element to the Habs roster that not many around the league can match. We saw how important being imposing physically is in the playoffs. The Canadiens were often bullied by a bigger Washington Capitals team during their series. Having Xhekaj present as a nuclear deterrent is something that is extremely valuable for Montreal. However, his lack of discipline has often led to him falling out of favor with coach Martin St. Louis. When Xhekaj was in the lineup last season, he didn’t look like the same player from years past. He will need to find his game this year if he wants to continue to be a part of the team’s future.

Jayden Struble just signed a new deal with the Montreal Canadiens. He was a much more consistent player than Xhekaj this past year and really seemed to find his game. He brings physicality as well, however, not to the extent of Xhekaj. The Canadiens likely view Xhekaj as more valuable long-term, but Struble may still have the inside track on the final defensive spot.

Don’t Count out the Rookie

Finally, prospect David Reinbacher also has an outside chance at making the Canadiens opening night roster. His injuries over the past couple of seasons have slowed his development. However, he was a big part of the Laval Rocket playoff run this past spring. Could he do enough in training camp to earn a roster spot? If so, a trade may be on the horizon in the back end.

Patrik Laine Versus Zachary Bolduc

After being acquired last summer, Patrik Laine had a rollercoaster debut season with the Montreal Canadiens. After an injury delayed his debut to December, Laine began scoring in bunches for Montreal. His power play prominence can’t be understated, however, his five-on-five play left much to be desired. He could be a great linemate for Ivan Demidov to pass to; however, he hasn’t been known for his defensive presence. Laine’s role on the team this season will come down to his offseason conditioning. He wasn’t in top form after his injury last year, and at five-on-five, he struggled because of it.

Laine will be battling for a top-six spot with newly acquired sophomore forward Zachary Bolduc. Bolduc had a stellar rookie year for the Blues, and we saw his game develop as the year went on. He brings different elements than Laine, while still possessing goal-scoring ability. His physicality and defensive play may make him a more suitable option to play alongside Demidov.

Middle Six Centre Options

Ever since being acquired from the Blackhawks at the 2022 NHL Draft, Kirby Dach has been pegged to be the Montreal Canadiens number two centre of the future. However, injuries have called his Canadiens future and his career into question. Dach has had two consecutive season-ending lower-body injuries. At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, it seemed as though he was on track to live up to his potential. However, when he did play this year, he looked like a shell of his former self. It’s unclear what version of Dach we will see this upcoming season. He has been practicing with teammates this summer, but it’s unclear where he is at in his progression. As of now, he is the favorite to be Montreal’s number two pivot to begin the year. However, his health and conditioning in training camp could quickly change that.

If Dach falters, we are left with a few options to fill the void. Alex Newhook played as the second centre for most of the year after Dach’s injury. However, he never thrived in the role and found his game offensively. The next options would be newly acquired Joe Veleno and rookie Oliver Kapanen. Both are more talented offensively than Newhook; however, neither has the experience in a prominent role. If Dach isn’t ready to go in camp, the Canadiens best option down the middle may come from outside the organization.