As the Montreal Canadiens’ 2025 training camp draws to a close, the tension surrounding the final roster spot has reached a fever pitch.

With a handful of talented forwards battling for a coveted place on the team, speculation and anticipation are swirling among fans and insiders alike.

Names like Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, Samuel Blais, Joe Veleno, and Florian Xhekaj have emerged as frontrunners, but head coach Martin St-Louis has just delivered an unexpected message that could change everything.

In a revealing press conference, St-Louis dropped subtle hints about the team’s decision-making process, sparking intense debate about who will claim the last spot and who might be left on the outside looking in.

While contract details and waiver rules add another layer of complexity, it’s clear that nothing is set in stone, and the fate of one promising young player hangs in the balance.

Will St-Louis’ words signal a major twist in the Canadiens’ plans, or are they simply a strategic move to keep everyone guessing until the very last moment?

With emotions running high and the stakes higher than ever, fans are left wondering what the future holds for Montreal’s rising stars. The answer may surprise you.

Martin St-Louis and Florian Xhekaj

Photo credit: NHL

One of the last big questions of this 2025 Montreal Canadiens training camp concerns the famous final spot available on offense.

It’s very clearly between Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Samuel Blais, and Joe Veleno, but Martin St-Louis already gave a pretty clear hint today.

Unfortunately, expect that Florian Xhekaj will eventually be cut and start the season with the Laval Rocket.

Why is that?

Quite simply because of his contract.

Listening to Martin St-Louis speak, it’s clear that the team doesn’t want to lose (for nothing) players like Samuel Blais and Joe Veleno, but the reality is those players must pass through NHL waivers before joining the Laval Rocket.

Florian Xhekaj, however, can simply be sent to the Rocket immediately.. He therefore represents the easy and quick solution.

However, if this is confirmed, it doesn’t mean Florian Xhekaj won’t play at all with the Habs, far from it.

Martin St-Louis sends quite a message to Florian Xhekaj, ahead of a possible cut

His message is very clear.

Just because Florian isn’t starting the season in Montreal doesn’t mean he won’t play with the Canadiens this season.

MSL on his advice for young players like Florian Xhekaj looking to make the team:

“yeah the deadline of the start of the season is a deadline but the League keeps going. Let’s say he doesn’t win that race, it doesn’t mean he lost the race – there’s still a race out there”

– Via Priyanta Emrith

Listening to the press conference, we clearly have our answer.. It really looks like Florian Xhekaj will start the season in Laval, but he will certainly be called up immediately if needed.

To be continued in any case!