Cale Fleury convinced Claude Julien and Marc Bergevin in October that he deserved to make his NHL debut. The choice of third round in the 2017 draft was one of the great finds of the Canadiens’ camp.
Nearly nine months later, Fleury returned to square one. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like we forgot that he had foiled the organization’s plans last fall.
“I’m coming back again to fight for a position,” said Fleury Thursday, after the Canadiens’ third training. I have the same mentality at all camps. I have to demonstrate that I have my place [avec l’équipe]. I remember a speech by Francis Bouillon to the young players on the team. He had that he was always fighting for his place in the NHL, no matter what his age.
There are technically 12 defenders invited to this recovery camp at the Habs. We already know that Alexander Romanov will not be allowed to don the team uniform during the matches. The cases of Brett Kulak and Xavier Ouellet are also unclear since they have not yet hit the ice in Brossard since Monday.
Pending the return of Kulak and Ouellet, Fleury finds himself involved in a race with Noah Juulsen, Christian Folin, Gustav Olofsson and Josh Brook for the last two posts at the blue line.
“Several defenders are fighting for the last places. I think this is a fairly open battle, replied Fleury simply. It will depend on how we play at camp and in the pre-game against the Leafs. ”
Shea Weber, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry and Victor Mete, who has recovered from his left foot injury, will most likely form the top 4. It remains to be seen if Kulak can take Mete’s place.
Too confident
Fleury wore the Canadiens uniform in 41 of his first 52 games. On January 31, the number 20 hit the road from Laval, never to return to Montreal until the season ended on March 12.
In his first few months in Montreal, Fleury scored just one goal, but he gained points thanks to his physical involvement. Despite playing time slightly over 14 minutes, he distributed 102 body checks in 41 games.
Only Petry (177), Chiarot (152) and Weber (112) have applied more hits among the Habs defenders this season. Fleury had the best hit ratio in 60 minutes at 10.40, however.
“I watched videos of my last games in Montreal,” said Fleury. I felt that I was getting a little too comfortable in my role. I did not stay 100% alert as I was at the start of the season, while I was still fighting for a position. ”
“I can only tell you that we find that his level of play slipped a little [à ses dernières rencontres avec le Canadien], added Claude Julien. He’s a young player. It is in its second season only for professionals. It’s part of learning. We have always continued to work with him. ”
“Cale spent a lot of time with Luke [Richardson] to watch videos, continued Julien. Sometimes you can help a youngster do things on the ice, but they also have to do it on their own. There are lessons to be learned in the NHL. Sometimes you have to learn it the hard way. If he said he felt too comfortable in his last days in Montreal, he has now learned his lesson. Next time, he won’t take anything for granted and he will stay more focused. ”
Stay in Laval
Fleury has played his last 14 games in Rocket uniform, scoring five points (two goals, three assists).
“At the start, I would say it was difficult. I didn’t play my best hockey when I arrived with the Rocket. However, I benefited from the help of Joël [Bouchard], he put me back on the right path. I learned to become more stable in my position. No matter which league we end up in, there are always good players. You have to focus on your job. ”
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