Després' training partner is former Montreal Junior (QMJHL) forward, Eliezer Sherbatov, who was a teammate of his last season with Bratislava Slovan in the KHL.
The pair are even living together, so Després' focus is entirely on training and being in the best possible shape when camp opens in September.
"I'm devoting all of my time and energy with the goal of making the Canadiens' roster in mind," mentioned Després, the 30th overall selection of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. "I'm preparing myself to the best of my ability. I'm making all the right choices. I'm getting plenty of sleep. I'm eating right. I'm training with elite trainers and athletes. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in."
That being said, Després is still hoping to improve his speed and mobility over the next eight weeks.
"Eli is one of the fastest skaters in the world. I told myself that if I train with him, my skating will definitely get better," explained Després. "That's what's happening."
Should the blueliner impress the Canadiens' brass enough to earn a roster spot, he's hoping to bring several assets to the table.
"I'm a heavyweight. I also have a lot of experience. I played many years with some of the best players in the world, including [Sidney] Crosby, [Evgeni] Malkin, [Ryan] Getzlaf and [Corey] Perry. I learned a lot from them," said Després, who last saw NHL action on October 13, 2016 with Anaheim, before concussion-related symptoms cost him the remainder of the year and eventually led to a contract buyout in June 2017. "I'm hoping to bring consistency, a good first pass and a physical game where I can move players in front of the net."
