The Canadiens staff returned elated by what they saw in Buffalo over the weekend. At least among the defenders.
In their review, Rob Ramage and Francis Bouillon praised Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, William Trudeau and Miguël Tourigny. There is nothing to complain about on this site. When it came to the strikers, however, the two ice hockey men were a little more succinct in their answers.
“There are players that I liked more last year that came out less this year,” player development coach Bouillon noted.
Without talking about disappointment, we understand that they would have liked to see more from Sean Farrell, Filip Mesar and Owen Beck, three players who flew through the event last year.
“He (Beck) had a great tournament last year. This time we saw less of him. But I still noticed that he was working and that he was committed, Bouillon argued. There is nothing worrying. We know what he will give us, we evaluated him all last season. »
Flowers for Roy
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“We’re not looking for Mr. September,” Ramage said when asked to comment on the hopes that impressed him most.
However, the head of player development made no secret of praising Joshua Roy’s achievements.
“I’m a big fan of his,” he admitted. I like his skills and intelligence in the game. He has continuously improved. »
Roy has been a constant threat in Montreal’s camp with four points (two goals, assists) in three games. But that didn’t stop Bouillon from noticing his defensive commitment.
“He did well again. “He has natural talent, a good vision of the game. He was responsible defensively,” he listed.
Mesar in junior?
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
As Bouillon repeated several times, there were only three meetings. The seriousness begins on Wednesday, with the official opening of the main training camp. We’re never safe from surprises, but with the Canadian’s roster virtually complete, competition for a position within the Laval Rocket is likely to be fierce.
“In the American League there is no limit of 23 players, so we can still keep a few players. Young people will learn that working people have to fight every day to keep their job,” emphasized Ramage.
That group may not include Filip Mesar, who had his ups and downs in his first season in North America with the Kitchener Rangers last year. Since he remains eligible for the junior ranks, the Slovakian could well start the season back in the Ontario Junior League.
“We haven’t discussed it yet. It’s still early in the camp. “A decision will be made in the coming weeks,” argued Ramage.
This will be followed up during camp.