A first surprise name would have earned its place in the final lineup of the Canadiens according to many observers: Otto Leskinen could beat the odds

PUBLICATION

Jeff Drouin
October 9, 2022 (10:43 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

As the Montreal Canadiens are about to confirm their final roster for the regular season, all indications are that a surprise defenseman, who no one saw coming, has won his bet and his place on the Habs' 23-man roster to start the new campaign.

Let's remember that today, two defensemen were put on waivers, including a certain surprise:

Otto Leskinen is still with the Montreal Canadiens, and everything indicates that he would have won his job.

It's not settled yet, but wow. It's pointing in that direction! No one (or almost no one) saw it coming, but Martin St-Louis had consistently good words for him over the past few weeks.

There are currently nine (healthy) defensemen left with the Montreal Canadiens. Here they are:

Harris
Guhle
Kovacevic
Matheson
Savard
Xhekaj
Leskinen
Barron
Wideman

"I think Barron will be cut. If they start with seven (defensemen), it will probably be Harris who is cut and Leskinen will start as the seventh defenseman." - Grant McCagg

It's getting tougher, and it will be really interesting to know the final verdict. We'll have the answer most likely tomorrow!