If there is one thing positive about summer dwindling down as kids go back to school in early September, it’s that hockey is getting closer and closer to return. In Montreal, the Canadiens are back to work.
As we look forward to the team’s golf tournament on September 15th, which is usually the team’s way to begin training camp and have their first media filled day of the season, it feels like Montreal is entering the season with a boosted sense of confidence as they hope to build on last season’s surprising postseason appearance. It almost feels like they might even dare say the “P” word this year!
But before the “real” camp begins, we get to see the team’s prospects play two games in the Prospect Showdown weekend. The Habs hopefuls face the young players from the Winnipeg Jets (September 13th) and Toronto Maple Leafs (September 14th).
These rookie games are always more interesting for rebuilding teams like the Canadiens, if only because the players involved include potential future star players and player hoping to make the jump to the NHL as soon as next season.
Here are a few players fans should be most excited to watch in action this weekend:
Ivan Demidov (RW, 5th overall pick in 2024)
Seen by many as the front runner for the Calder Trophy for the 2025-2026 NHL season, the hype surrounding Demidov’s rookie season is probably as big as it could get. After winning the KHL rookie of the year award last season and making his NHL debut, showing flashes of his world class skill in the process, Demidov participating in the rookie tournament is both a treat and somehow worrisome to me.
Of course, you’d expect him to be one step above most other prospects. It should be fun to watch Ivan most likely get a few highlight reel plays against lower competition. I simply cannot shake off the fear of some random prospect reacting badly to one his dekes or simply trying to show off by landing a big hit on the Habs prized prospect. Hopefully everything goes well and Demidov uses these exhibition games as a way to launch his rookie season the right way.
Jacob Fowler (G, 69th overall in 2023)
The Montreal Canadiens have a long history of great goaltenders. In fact, since the 1970’s when Ken Dryden (may he rest in peace) dominated the league for 8 years with the kind of statistics we will never see again, the Habs usually only had to wait a few years in between getting another Vezina caliber goaltender to protect their net.
With an injured Carey Price now traded to the San Jose Sharks, the hope for many is that Jacob Fowler will be the goaltender of the future for the Canadiens. The young man begins his first professional season. Previously, he impressed with Boston College in the NCAA.
Fowler won the 2024-25 Mike Richter Award as the NCAA’s most outstanding goaltender. Many perceive Fowler as of one of the best goaltending prospects in the NHL. He even ranked 2nd in Scott Wheeler’s 2025 top 20 drafted NHL goalie prospect, trailing only Yaroslav Askarov.
There are many reasons to believe Fowler’s past success could indicate a bright future with Montreal. However, fans need to remember that developing goaltenders usually takes more time than position players. Fowler is not an immediate NHL solution for the team. Fowler needs some AHL experience first.
He figures to split the net with the Laval Rocket in the AHL this season. He’ll either play alongside newly signed veteran Kaapo Kahkonen or fellow prospect Jakub Dobes.
David Reinbacher (RHD, 5th overall in 2023)
It’s fair to say David Reinbacher’s professional debut in North America didn’t exactly go as planned. After suffering a knee injury in his first preseason game against Toronto, Reinbacher was limited to 23 games in the AHL, including 13 in the Laval Rocket’s playoffs run. In that very short span however, Reinbacher has given us very promising hockey with an overall game that allows us to project him as a big minute muncher once he’s ready to make the jump in the AHL.
It’s obvious Canadiens management think highly of him. While it’s safe to say he’ll likely begin the season in the AHL, don’t be surprised to see him called up sooner than later. If all goes to plan, he can be he projected the missing piece on the right side of Montreal’s top four on defense. That step is vital to the Montreal blueline if it’s to become one of the best in the league.
Florian Xhekaj (LW, 101st overall in 2023)
When Montreal drafted Florian Xhekaj in the third round in 2023 , the team’s scouts called him a “unicorn” because of his very rare package of skill, size, grit and scoring ability. His first professional season in Laval showed considerable promise. He scored 24 goals (3rd best among AHL rookies).
He also recorded a who0ping 175 penalty minutes (1st in the entire AHL). On the plus side, he confirmed his potential as a future power forward with a mean streak. The flip side: some of Xhekaj’s penalty were of the needless and/or poorly timed variety. He’ll have to balance aggression and discipline a tad better as he gains experience.
The Florida Panthers are a big and intimidating club. They won back-to-back Stanley Cups and three straight Eastern Conference championships with a very gritty, physical playing style. Meanwhile, Montreal saw itself being pushed around by the Washington Capitals in a first round elimination.
Bottom line: the entire NHL is chasing Florida. I think the younger Xhekaj brother might become a very important piece of the puzzle in the Canadiens future contending lineup.
And, hey, who wouldn’t want their own version of “the bash brothers” on the ice?
Of course, there are more prospects out there that will find a way to shine and garner attention. Who else are you looking forward to see both at the rookie showdown and actual team camp? Will you be disappointed if the main attractions don’t stand out against lower competition? Let us know in the comments and in the forums!
