Hockey

New question for the Canadiens: who will be the third center?
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
New question for the Canadiens: who will be the third center?
Credit: Getty Images

For much of the summer, the question was who would be the club's second center. Kirby Dach was a logical candidate because of his upside, but there were questions about his health… as well as the quality of his play. But finally, Martin St-Louis confirmed that Dach would start camp as the second center. He'll have to work hard to keep his place in the sun, though. Of course, that doesn't put an end to the questions we have. And because the quality of the center line is one of the club's weak points heading into next season, the next question is obvious. Who will be the third center?Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach and Jake Evans, in the fourth center chair, will be at center. Barring a surprise or injury, I don't think I'm wrong about that.The club has a few candidates for the third-center position. Joe Veleno, Alex Newhook, Zachary Bolduc, Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck could/should be considered. In my eyes, Veleno and Newhook have a good chance of getting the job. Bolduc should play on the wing, and Kapanen and Beck may not make the club after camp… even though Kapanen finished last season in Montreal.

I expect Newhook, who finished the season at second center, to be on a third line. And since he can play center, it makes sense to consider him for the job. And Veleno? If he makes the club, I don't see him with Jake Evans, whom I'd put with Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson to stabilize a “fourth line” with the air of a third unit. Bolduc, Veleno and Newhook together? It's possible, yes. If we ever see these units and a guy like Samuel Blais as the 13th forward, I have a feeling it would stabilize the club's attacking picture for the start of camp.Caufield – Suzuki – SlafkovskyLaine – Dach – Demidov Bolduc – Veleno – NewhookAnderson – Evans – Gallagher 13th: BlaisOne wonders if any youngsters will fit in. Will Florian Xhekaj force management's hand, for example? Who knows, but will a Kapanen or Beck find a role for himself in the uncertainty of the center line and what happens when you're shorthanded? After all, Nick Suzuki will take more… but sparing him on the PK would be a good idea

There are still some unanswered questions in Montreal. Remember, on the ice, it's this morning that the Canadiens' camp gets underway. We'll get some answers to our basic questions, but we're not talking final answers here. After all, some guys are going to show up at camp to do more than leave their calling card: they're going to fight to force management to make some tough decisions. Here we go, kiki.

'Overtime'

– Ouch.

– He opened some eyes.

– We like it.

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