MONTREAL - Defenseman Jarred Tinordi and center Michael Bournival will start the season with the Montreal Canadiens, coach Michel Therrien announced Thursday night.
Center Gabriel Dumont and defenseman Nathan Beaulieu were Montreal's final cuts of training camp and will report to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. Dumont must clear waivers before reporting.
Therrien would not commit to dressing either Bournival or Tinordi when the Canadiens open the season Tuesday night at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I can't confirm those young kids will be there for the first game," Therrien said, "but they will be part of our 23-man roster."
When questioned about how much either rookie will play, Therrien twice said that in the "short term" it is not detrimental to their development if Tinordi and Bournival sit out a few games.
Defenseman Douglas Murray has missed every preseason game with a lower-body injury. Murray said he would be ready for opening night, but Therrien said Thursday night he was still day to day.
Therrien also said enforcer George Parros is closer to playing Tuesday night than Murray is.
If both Murray and Parros are healthy, it's hard to see how Tinordi and Bournival would crack the lineup. But Therrien also said things can change by the time Tuesday rolls around.
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