The Montreal Canadiens have officially confirmed their rookie camp roster, with 26 players set to hit the ice on Sept. 10. As is often the case, the event will bring together a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent, giving management, coaches, and fans a chance to take a closer look at the next generation of Habs. Many of the names on the list are returning prospects who have already been part of the organization’s development camps or who spent last season with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League or junior hockey. But there are also intriguing new additions, including the Canadiens’ 2025 draft class.
This year’s rookie camp feels particularly exciting, not only because of the depth in the system but also because a handful of these players are already close to pushing for NHL jobs. For Montreal, the camp represents both a showcase and a testing ground, a chance to evaluate progress, identify who has taken another step forward, and set the tone for the season ahead. Here are four players who stand out as the ones to watch.
Ivan Demidov
All eyes will naturally gravitate toward Ivan Demidov, the Canadiens’ 2024 first-round pick who arrived in North America with high expectations. After dazzling in Russia and standing out at the end of the 2024-25 season, Demidov is entering rookie camp with the clear goal of proving he’s going to have an immediate impact in the NHL.
Demidov’s skillset is tailor-made for the modern game: speed, elite puck skills, creativity, and a scorer’s touch. He has already shown flashes of being able to take over shifts against older competition, and now the spotlight shifts to how quickly he can adapt to the smaller ice surface and the physical demands of the NHL style.
Unlike many rookies who come to camp hoping just to survive or impress in flashes, Demidov should dominate. He projects not only to crack the Canadiens’ roster this fall but to push immediately for a top-six role. The rookie camp is simply the first step in what could be a season-long audition for the Calder Trophy.
David Reinbacher
If Demidov represents the Canadiens’ offensive future, David Reinbacher is the poster boy for their blue line. Drafted in the first round in 2023, Reinbacher’s development has been rocky at times and marked with injuries.
At 6-foot-3 with strong mobility and poise, Reinbacher brings the kind of modern…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…