The Montreal Canadiens officially opened the training camp on September 17, with players who hit the ice on the 18th. For fans it is one of the most exciting times of the year, a new start full of questions, fights and the possibility that someone will unexpectedly grab in the spotlight. Kampen are where careers can take shape, reputations can be built and grilles can shift. The Canadiens, who continue to navigate through their rebuilding, have many intriguing names to look at.
60 players invited
The training camp schedule of the Canadiens’ 2025 is a mix of established NHL talent, promising prospects and deep players of the Laval Rocket and beyond. In the front, stars such as Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský and Rookie Ivan Demidov a group that also contains veterans such as Brendan Gallagher, Jake Evans, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Josh Anderson and Patrik Laine. Young attackers Joshua Roy, Sean Farrell, Filip Mesar, Oliver Kapanen, Zachary Bolduc, Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Riley Nier and Vinzenz Rohrer will want to prove that they belong, while recent additions such as Joe many spots. Vincent Arseneau, Lucas Condotta, Alex Belzile, Laurent Dauphin, Jared Davidson, Will Dineen, Joseph Dunlap, Mark Estasta, Egor Guriunov, Israel Mianscum, Xavier Simoneau, Tyler Thorpe and Luke Tuch are also a part of the Explanations.
During the defense, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Alexandre Carrier and newly taken over Noah Dobson lead a deep blue line, with long -awaited youth Lane Hutson and David Reinbacher. Prospect Owen Protz, who made an impression on Rookie Camp, joins the mix in addition to steady contributors such as Jayden Struble and William Trudeau. Nathan Clurman, Marc del Gaizo, Adam Engström, Joshua Jacobs, Darick Louis-Jean, Charles Martin, Ryan O’Rourke, Tobie Paquette-Bisson and Wyatte Wylie were invited to the other defenders.
Between the pipes, Samuel Montembeault returns as the number one, while Kaapo Kähkönen and Jakub Dobeš fight for the back -uprol, supported by prospects Jacob Fowler and Benjamin Gaudreau. Kevin Madolese and Hunter Jones complete the crew.
Who can create a surprise?
Every year someone comes out of the camp who would not be in the spotlight. Montreal has a history of surprise stories, such as Victor Mete in 2017. Can another long recording write its own script this fall?
Owen Protz is a name that appeared during the Rookie camp. The young defender showed balance with the Puck, a good first pass and the kind of calm presence that catches the eyes of coaches. Montreal often has familiar with their blue line depth to fill unexpected holes, and Protz could sneak in that conversation. It is unlikely that he will make the team out of the camp, but a strong show can put him on the radar.
Another candidate is Florian Xhekaj. Just like his brother Arber, he has taken an unconventional path and plays the game with a physical lead. Coaches love players who bring energy, grit and the ability to stir Momentum with a big hit or a fight along the shelves. Florian is not so attackingly polished, but his work ethics and willingness to do the dirty work can stay longer than expected. Montreal has shown in the past that they are not afraid to reward those characteristics.
Then there is Vinzenz Rohrer, who enters the camp with perhaps more urgency than anyone else. For him it really feels like “Montreal of Bust.” He will not be sent to the Laval Rocket if he does not make the team out of the camp. Rohrer has a burning speed and a ruthless engine, two qualities that match the modern NHL. He can kill punishing, pressing pressure defenders on the pre -check and the line -up up and down. The question is whether he can bring sufficient consistency to switch off a place. Montreal will give it appearance, and if he grabs the moment, he could make things interesting.
Fighting
While the top six of the Canadiens is largely set with names such as Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovský and Demidov, the lower six remains a battlefield. This is where Camp is heated, because several players know that not all can linger.
The most striking group fights for jobs include many, Blais, Roy and Kapanen.
Poisonwho drew this summer, brings versatility. He can play center or wing and match against Midden-Six competition. His NHL experience gives him an advantage, but he must prove that he can be more than just a stopgap option.
VesicleIn the meantime, an experienced wing player who has already won a Stanley Cup. His value lies in his physical presence, forechecking and playoff style game. Montreal does not have many players like him, so his grit can help balance a competent line -up.
Roy represents the home -grown story, drawn up and developed by the Habs; He has been steadily improved every year. Many believe that he is ready to make the leap, and the training camp will be his biggest test so far. For fans, he is perhaps the most exciting of the four to look at.
Finally there is Kapanen. One of the most competent players in the mix, he tries to prove that he can quickly adapt to the pace and the physicality of the NHL. With all four fighting for limited jobs, every previous season match will matter. A single striking version could separate one player from the peloton.
Between the pipes
The fold in Montreal looks at the top, but has uncertainty behind it. Montembeault comes in like the clear number one. After wearing a heavy workload last season, he has settled as reliable and stable. The Canadiens will look at him again to give them stability in the net.
The competition is wide open behind Montembeault. Kähkönen, brought in during the low season, has NHL experience and could offer the type of security that the HABs sometimes missed last season. He is able to handle a regular back -uprol, which could help reduce the Montembeault workload.
Related: Projecting the goalkeepers of Canadiens before 2025-26
Then there is DoBeš, the young keeper who hopes to take the next step. He showed flashes last season and Montreal would like to see him insist on more NHL time. The organization knows that it must continue to develop the depth of the goal convening, and Dobeš is an important part of that future.
Training camp is about evaluation and the Canadiens have no shortage of storylines. Can an underdog make its way in the conversation? Which attacker is at the top of the bottom six fight? And who will secure the most important backup goalkeeper-job behind Montembeault?
The answers will not all come in the first week. But as the camp progresses and the competitions of the preseason start, the surprises and fights will determine the shape of the Montreal schedule on the way to the 2025–26 season.
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