Oliver Kapanen doesn’t have a reputation for courage: that’s to Joe Veleno’s advantage

3. Since the start of the summer, Samuel Blais has been expected to play a 13th forward role with the Canadiens. And since the start of camp, he’s shown he’s capable of filling that chair, once occupied by Michael Pezzetta. 4. Beck is a player who is not yet ready, in my opinion, for the NHL. He has the potential to establish himself there, but he needs some mileage down there to keep progressing. 5. Xhekaj impressed at the start of camp and left a fine calling card. But in recent days, he’s been less in the spotlight. Is his return to Laval imminent? And if so, how long before a recall? All this would mean that Joe Veleno and Oliver Kapanen would potentially be fighting for the last two available positions.

The fact that Kapanen was wearing a regular jersey yesterday is a telling clue. Even if Joe Veleno had a good game last Saturday in Toronto. But there’s another aspect to consider. According to Renaud Lavoie on BPM Sports this morning with Anthony Désaulniers, Anthony Marcotte and Gilbert Delorme, Kapanen has a reputation for not being the bravest. In the eyes of many in the NHL, this works against him. Could this force the Habs to keep Veleno and Blais as the club’s 12th and 13th forwards?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfj5kuBJIsk No one here is saying that Kapanen is the most fearless player in the NHL. But according to the TVA Sports journalist, the buzz around the European player is that he could be braver, and if he’s going to spend the year in Montreal, he’s going to have to shake off that reputation, which dates back to last year.

According to Renaud Lavoie, if you think a player isn’t ready to play in the playoffs against the nasty Florida Panthers, where it’s impossible to hide on the ice, it’s a bad sign. So Joe Veleno has an advantage in all this. Of course, a player can adapt, or even change. Yesterday’s inclusion of Kapanen among the regulars speaks volumes about the Canadiens’ intentions at the moment. But if his courage doesn’t shine through at the start of the season, the Habs are under no obligation to keep him up there for 82 games.

’Overtime’

– Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVUjAewjd6k – Will the NHL ever return to Quebec City?[NYT] – Love it or hate it?

– Davis Alexander couldn’t wait to play.[BPM Sports] – No surprises here