We have entered the dog days of hockey summer where the big news from the major talking heads of the sports networks consist of cottage vistas and shilling their social media space for advertisements.

The signings are of the “extension” variety and the boiling hot rumors of Erik Karlsson and Max Pacioretty’s future homes have been reduced to a very light simmer.

So what do we talk about…

There is actually a fair bit to talk about, like line up projections, effects of new coaches and systems, and the war chest of top end prospects the Habs recently acquired. But all of that is more appropriate for the time around development and training camps and not July…

There is some big business to be taken care of though and you can see that from examining the Habs depth charts. When you see that players like Scherbak, Reilly, Peca, Evans, Valiev, Sklenicka, and Moravcik aren’t listed on the NHL squads depth chart you know some big things are still on the horizon for this team.

Also consider that some believe #3 overall pick J Kotkaniemi is going to get a 9 game audition plus there could be a player this is this years Victor Mete and force his way onto the team.

Where are the spots for some of these players?

Now, some probably have already said to themselves “Smiles, you would be lucky if one of those players made the team…”. Agreed, but considering there is already talk of Kotkaniemi and Peca’s potential to make the squad. Add them to Scherbak and Reilly who, in my opinion, should be locks for the team next year. Valiev is also regarded as an NHL ready defenseman who should be lining up on a thin left side.

Some also believe left shot D man Xavier Ouellet has a real shot at making the Habs as well.

So how many spots do they need for all these younger players?

The LW chart goes: Pacioretty, Domi, Byron, Deslauriers. After that you should have Scherbak, Peca, Rychel. Peca is listed as a C, but as a left shot he should be slotting in as a winger to start and assess his abilities before throwing him into the fire that is the Canadiens center ice position.

I think we all believe trading Pacioretty is a foregone conclusion, a matter of when and not if. So this will allow Domi to move into a first line role and Byron and Scherbak can move up and down the 2nd and 3rd lines with a moderate expectation of success. Deslauriers can be moved in and out of the lineup as needed to give some of the other players mentioned a shot.

The return for Pacioretty can be speculated for hours so let’s not assume anything at this point and just move on with what the Habs have. I won’t make hypothetical returns at this point.

I believe most think one of Benn and/or Schlemko are on the outs as well and this will free up playing time for Reilly and Valiev, but these moves haven’t happened yet and one has to wonder if they will. At this time, the best chance to move one of these two players will be during training camps when teams will need to secure depth due to injury.

So there is a lot of work still to do for the Canadiens despite the silence in the hockey world right now, lots of work. Spaces will need to be made for the youth movement and don’t forget, Shea Weber and Andrew Shaw will be returning around November/December and spaces will be needed for them as well.

This offseason has been excellent for the Canadiens so far, but it really is far from finished.

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