3 Canadiens Facing a Make-or-Break Training Camp

Training camp is always an important time for players trying to establish themselves in the NHL, but for some members of the Montreal Canadiens organization, this year’s camp could carry even more weight. The Canadiens have reached a point where competition is becoming increasingly difficult. Young players continue to push from below, while the NHL roster doesn’t have many obvious openings. That creates difficult decisions for management and could eventually force Kent Hughes to move on from players who were once considered important parts of the future.

We saw a similar situation with Joshua Roy last year. He entered camp needing to prove he still belonged in the organization’s long-term plans as other prospects started passing him on the depth chart. There could be a few players facing similar pressure this time around. Here are three Canadiens players who could be facing a make-or-break training camp.

Owen Beck

This feels like the year Owen Beck has to seriously challenge for an NHL job. Beck has already gotten a taste of the NHL over the past few seasons, but he has yet to establish himself as a full-time member of the Canadiens lineup. There is nothing wrong with spending time developing with the Laval Rocket, but Montreal’s situation down the middle makes the upcoming camp particularly important for the 22-year-old.

The problem for Beck is simply the number of players standing in his way. Nick Suzuki isn’t going anywhere at the top of the lineup, while Phillip Danault, Jake Evans and Oliver Kapanen can all fill some of the same defensive and bottom-six responsibilities Beck projects to eventually handle. Michael Hage is also expected to turn professional after his upcoming season at the University of Michigan, potentially adding another talented centre to the organization as soon as next spring.

There aren’t going to be enough opportunities for everyone. That doesn’t necessarily mean Beck has to make the Canadiens out of camp. However, he needs to make the decision difficult. If Montreal sends him back to Laval, it should be because there simply isn’t room rather than because he clearly wasn’t ready.

A strong camp could remind the organization why Beck remains an intriguing piece of its future. A disappointing one could create a different conversation. With Montreal looking to improve its NHL roster, Beck could eventually become an attractive trade piece in a package for immediate help or potentially be moved for a prospect at a position of greater need.

Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble

Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble have been competing for essentially the same territory on Montreal’s blue line for a while now. Both have carved out identities at the NHL level. Xhekaj brings an element of physicality and intimidation that very few players in the organization can match, while Struble has developed into a dependable depth defenseman capable of stepping into the lineup when needed.

The issue isn’t necessarily what either player has done. It’s who’s coming behind them. David Reinbacher will be looking to force his way into the NHL conversation, while Adam Engstrom continues to develop into another legitimate option for Montreal’s blue line. At some point, the Canadiens will need to create opportunities for those players.

That puts additional pressure on Xhekaj and Struble. The sixth and seventh defenseman spots can only accommodate so many players. A strong camp from Reinbacher or Engstrom combined with struggles from Xhekaj or Struble could force management into a difficult decision. Neither needs to suddenly become a top-four defenseman. They simply need to show that their respective identities remain valuable enough that Montreal can’t afford to take them out of the lineup. Otherwise, the Canadiens could decide the time has come to clear the logjam and turn one of their depth defensemen into an asset elsewhere.

Samuel Montembeault

Samuel Montembeault’s situation is different, but his training camp could be just as important. After a difficult 2025-26 season, Montembeault remains with the Canadiens, but the goaltending picture has changed considerably around him. Jakub Dobes established himself as Montreal’s top option during the playoff run, while Jacob Fowler continues to develop and needs significant playing time of his own.

That leaves Montembeault in an uncomfortable position. A strong training camp could allow him to re-establish himself as a dependable NHL option and give the Canadiens confidence in carrying him into the season. A poor camp, however, could make things complicated quickly.

If Montembeault struggles while the other goaltenders perform well, Montreal could consider sending him to Laval depending on the roster situation. The other possibility would be exploring the trade market and hoping another organization dealing with injuries or uncertainty in goal is willing to give him an opportunity. For Montembeault, camp will be about proving that last season was an exception rather than the beginning of a decline.

Competition Is Getting Tougher in Montreal

Having players facing this type of pressure isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Canadiens. Montreal spent years trying to accumulate prospects and young NHL players. Now, the organization is reaching the point where there simply aren’t enough roster spots for everyone. Beck has Hage and other centres putting pressure on him. Xhekaj and Struble have Reinbacher and Engstrom coming for NHL opportunities. Montembeault has Dobes ahead of him and Fowler getting closer behind.

Training camp won’t single-handedly determine their futures, but first impressions could matter considerably. For these players, a strong September could reinforce their place in Montreal’s plans. A difficult one could open the door for someone else.