Kirby Dach on the first line in practice: a great showcase as his return approaches

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Kirby Dach on the first line in practice: a great showcase as his return approaches
Credit: Cook

The Canadiens were back in practice this morning.

After a day off yesterday, Martin St-Louis' men must now prepare for what's to come. Starting tomorrow, the Minnesota Wild will be in town.

What did we learn from practice? Apart from the fact that Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov arrived before the others, of course…

1. Alexandre Texier was absent, having had another day of treatment. The Frenchman is clearly struggling with an injury these days, and it's something to keep an eye on.

Although Juraj Slafkovsky got his chance with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on Saturday, it's the Frenchman who's been on the first line for several weeks.

2. Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine skated with the others. The two injured players are visibly approaching a return to action, as we've seen in recent days.

Jake Evans returned to action on Saturday. Alex Newhook is still a long way from a return.

3. Even before the official start of practice, several players were practicing their catch-and-throw. Over the past week, it seems that the Habs want to dust off this shot.

Practicing shots in general isn't a bad thing, considering the fact that the guys need to learn to shoot more often.

4. If we talk about the trios themselves, we notice that Kirby Dach was in Alexandre Texier's place. Logically, that means he's warming the Frenchman's seat this morning.

Unless the Habs plan to give Texier tomorrow off and put Dach back on the first line? It's unlikely, but it's a theory that must be raised because of Texier's injuries.

5. As for the rest of the line-up, Patrik Laine has been practicing in rotation with Zachary Bolduc alongside Jake Evans and Joe Veleno.

Samuel Blais, who did not play on Saturday, alternated with Brendan Gallagher.

Does this mean that Dach is closer to a return than Laine? And does this mean that Bolduc and Gally are more likely to lose their positions than Veleno?

And does the showcase offered to Dach this morning mean that he is, at some point, in the showcase?

6. Defensively , Lane Hutson and Alexandre Carrier were still together. Kaidne Guhle alternated with Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble.

No surprises there.


overtime

– Of note.

– Hello, Alex.

– A return that will be good for the Panthers.

– To be continued.

– Steve Ott, head coach in the AHL.

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