Who Will Claim the Final Forward Spot at Canadiens Camp?

For the first time under the reins of the new management group, the Montreal Canadiens are in training camp with their roster nearly set in stone.

Unlike in previous rebuilding years, Martin St. Louis’ group is fairly established. The remaining puzzle pieces don’t concern who makes the roster, but rather who fits best together.

Based on speculation and precedent, two of the three forward lines are guaranteed locks to open the season in Toronto: the Habs’ top line (Slafkovsky – Suzuki – Caufield) and the projected fourth line (Gallagher – Evans – Anderson).

The intrigue begins with the second line, though it’s very likely to feature Laine – Dach – Demidov. St. Louis affirmed to the media last week that the second centre position belongs to Dach, and the 24-year-old is expected to be ready for the season opener.

That brings us to the Habs’ supposed third line, headlined by offseason acquisition Zachary Bolduc. This line presents the only true open spot on the roster, with Bolduc and Alex Newhook still searching for a linemate to begin the season.

The Canadiens have a wealth of options — a good problem to have, but one that will surely make the coaching staff’s decision difficult.

First, the team needs to decide if they truly view Newhook as a centreman. He struggled in the faceoff circle last season, winning just 41.8 percent of draws.

If they stick with him down the middle, the list of candidates narrows. One option is Joshua Roy, who could slot in on the wing and try to carve out a consistent NHL role on an improved line.

Another is Florian Xhekaj, who brings size and skill. The 21-year-old has impressed so far in camp, building on a strong rookie tournament and flashing again in Tuesday’s preseason game against Philadelphia — scoring a goal and dropping the gloves.

The Canadiens already know what Roy offers. Unless he’s made significant strides over the summer or finds instant chemistry with Newhook and Bolduc, Xhekaj deserves the first look at that spot. He adds physicality, hasn’t been intimidated at the NHL level, and brings scoring touch — netting 24 goals for Laval last season.

Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, and Joe Veleno are also in the mix for the 12th forward spot. However, unless the Canadiens shift one of them to the wing — unlikely, since all three are better suited at centre than Newhook — they probably only fit into the picture as potential centres on the third line, moving Newhook to the wing.

Kapanen and Beck both showed flashes in the preseason opener on Monday. Beck scored a goal, while Kapanen centered Laine and Demidov and added a filthy shootout winner.

Still, Veleno may be the most likely candidate to earn the final roster spot. A Montreal native, he signed a one-year, $900,000 contract this offseason and has a major chip on his shoulder, as discussed last week on the Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro.

Veleno is slightly stronger in the faceoff circle than Newhook, winning 47.2 percent of draws last season. At 6’0” and 200 pounds, he’s not the biggest body, but he would add some much-needed size to the line. Despite already having NHL mileage, he’s still just 25 years old and may have more to prove than anyone else in camp.

As the preseason winds down, the picture on that third line should come into focus. For now, keep an eye on Xhekaj and Veleno as the two key names battling it out.