The top four defensemen at the Habs’ rookie camp are, in no particular order, Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and Adam Engstrom.
So it was interesting to see which right-hander would play with Lane Hutson and which with Adam Engstrom.
It’s obviously not the most important thing in the world, especially considering that everything can change tomorrow and during the weekend’s games, but still.
Lane Hutson was paired with Logan Mailloux on his right. The two Europeans (Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher) formed a pair.
Owen Protz, Simon Motew and Emanuelson Charbonneau were the other defensemen in camp.
Logan Mailloux and Lane Hutson paired together on defense this morning at #Habs rookie camp #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/9UoT88nViM
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 12, 2024
I don’t know if Pascal Vincent (and those who made the decision) wanted to see the two players most likely to break into the Habs lineup play together this morning.
Perhaps the club also wanted to see Hutson with Mailloux after seeing Reinbacher play alongside the offensive dynamo at the 2023 development camp? Could be.
We’ll see in due course for the first rookie game, which takes place on Saturday. After all, a rookie camp line-up is there to be tested and changed.
Still, it’s interesting to note that the first instinct was to pair Hutson with Mailloux. And according to Mailloux, the two are good enough defensively to play together.
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Among the forwards, however, there are several to keep an eye on. And it’s worth mentioning that Filip Mesar and Riley Kidney, two forwards who need to show more, have been paired with Jared Davidson, who’s coming into his own in the organization.
Sean Farrell, Owen Beck and Emil Heineman, three players who will try to fight for games in Montreal this year, were on the same line.
Habs forward lines first day of rookie camp
Mesar – Kidney – Davidson
Farrell – Beck – HeinemannRest is still pretty up in the air #TSN690
– Jon Still (@Imstilljon) September 12, 2024
The rest was more mixed. So the Florian Xhekaj, Tyler Thorpe and Luke Tuch of this world weren’t on the day’s “top-6”, which isn’t the end of the world, given their casting.
Paul Byron was on hand as a member of the Canadian development team.
Paul Byron on the ice with players this morning at #Habs rookie camp in his role as player development consultant #Habs #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/7RigBLF7ZD
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 12, 2024
Overtime
– Images of Logan Mailloux.
Logan Mailloux is ready 🚨 pic.twitter.com/WBUV41Vljv
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) September 12, 2024
– More images from the camp.
Two-on-two drill at #Habs rookie camp #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/uioOeGFHUL
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 12, 2024
– Ivan Demidov on the fourth line.
Ivan Demidov will play on the 4th line today.
SKA plays vs Traktor at 12:30pm ET. pic.twitter.com/1g2IN5QDiK
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 12, 2024
– Joel Waterman made his rounds.
Nutrilait Center this morning:
– Joel Waterman is not on the field. He’s inside. He was injured with the Canadian team (early return, precaution).
– Joaquin Sosa is with the group.
– Jonathan Sirois and Nathan Saliba are on the field.
– Biello is there too. pic.twitter.com/eays3nZ5bH
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) September 12, 2024
– Really?
And pitcher Dean Kremer added fuel to the fire. https://t.co/x6tud6LASP
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) September 12, 2024