Canadiens make announcement as Kent Hughes reportedly makes first major decision with cuts

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Elias Adaime
September 23, 2024 (2:16 PM)

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The 2024 Montreal Canadiens training camp has been underway for almost a week, and Kent Hughes has some decisions to make.

There could be major surprises, both in offense and defense, with names like Oliver Kapanen, Emil Heineman, William Trudeau, and of course Lane Hutson having great camps.

Particularly in Kapanen's case, he could force Kent Hughes to make some very difficult choices.

However, if there's one player who doesn't seem to be complicating the decision-making process for the Canadiens' management, it's the other first-round pick from 2022, Filip Mesar.

Already over for Filip Mesar with the Canadiens this season?

It seems like Mesar's fate is already sealed, and he won't be the one to cause any surprises this season.

As just reported by the excellent Anthony Marcotte of BPM Sports, the Canadiens have announced that Mesar has been relegated to the third group at camp.

He is now among the players who all seem to be heading toward the Laval Rockets, and we shouldn't expect to see much of him during the preseason games.

In his case, the decision appears to have already been made, and he won't be starting the season in Montreal.

This is not entirely surprising, but it is still unexpected to see him being sidelined so early. Clearly, this first-round pick is not aging well.

Filip Mesar has moved to the 3rd group at the Canadiens' camp, along with players who all seem headed to the Laval Rocket. Don't expect many players from the 3rd group to get minutes in preseason games.

-Anthony Marcotte

That says a lot!

At 20 years old, Filip Mesar was the Canadiens' 26th overall pick in 2022 (1st round), and he recorded 52 points in 45 games in the OHL in 2023-2024.

The Slovak also registered 1 point in 3 games with the Laval Rocket, where he is expected to play this season.

A story to follow!