OTT@MTL: Everything in its right place

BROSSARD - As the Canadiens' rookie camp heads into a different phase - game action, with the Rookie Showdown commencing against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night - Rocket head coach Joël Bouchard is happy with the way things have been falling into place so far.

"I feel like everyone has their place, that everyone is good and comfortable. The questions we're being asked are very good, and that's a sign for me as a coach that the guys are in the right place," he explained. "It's surprising to see how well they're finding their place and how much they want to succeed."

That said, with the Habs rookies set to experience their first taste of game action at Place Bell - for the first time ever, for many of them, including the coach - Bouchard was quick to temper any expectations over how things would play out, and was careful to keep his pregame preparations simple.
"I didn't even want to use the word 'system' with the players. A system is very complex. I used 'structure', just to be sure that we would have some positioning," he outlined. "I don't want to take away the players' instinct, I just want them to play. But on the other hand, we want them to play as a group a bit."

Between the pipes, Bouchard announced that rookie camp tryout invite Samuel Harvey would start the first half against the Senators' hopefuls, with each of the three goalies at camp doing the same.
The Rocket bench boss called Harvey an "A++++" individual and sung the 20-year-old's praises over his development and growth.
"He's an extraordinary young man, who underwent a transformation last year. He had had a good career in Junior, but last year he really showed that he was a first-rate goalie in our league," gushed Bouchard of Harvey, who posted a 30-9-2 record, 2.10 goals-against average and .930 save percentage in 46 games with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies last season. "The reason he's here is really because he performed at a very high level. He was very good for the Huskies last year.
"He's progressing well, he did great work with his goalie coach on the Huskies. I'm really happy he's here, and it'll be a lot of fun for him."
For Harvey, the Friday night tilt in Laval is a reminder that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, but the 6-foot, 184-pound backstop knows that it's just one step in his journey towards the ultimate goal.
"I agree with that expression, but there's also more development to come. I want to do well tonight, but life doesn't end after this game. I want to play well in the other games, too," he concluded. "Yes, it's important to make a good first impression, but also to keep doing well afterwards."

Injury notes: Bouchard declared that Samuel Houde got injured in Chicoutimi, and that's why the Habs' 2018 fifth-round pick (133rd overall) won't be in the lineup against Ottawa. Cale Fleury is also recovering from injury, but Bouchard hopes to dress him later in the Rookie Showdown. Scott Walford won't get the chance, though, as he's in for a longer recovery period, but Bouchard expects him to enjoy a good season in 2018-19.