The Montreal Canadiens have announced that Gabriel Dumont and Nathan Beaulieu have been cut from the team, and will join the Hamilton Bulldogs’ training camp and preseason. Dumont didn’t have a great training camp, but his cut still comes as a bit of a surprise as he will have to face waivers, which means that another team could claim him if they desire.
The hope is that Dumont’s two-year contract will dissuade possible suitors from claiming him, but who knows?
Beaulieu will be the #1 defenseman for the Bulldogs, the returning team MVP will look for a dominant AHL season while playing big minutes. He’s likely the first call-up if there’s an injury, unless Magnus Nygren can adjust to North American ice quicker than anticipated.
The real news here though, is that it’s now official that Jarred Tinordi has made the Habs, and that Michael Bournival will start the season in Montreal. Bournival may be sent down fairly quickly if Prust and Parros are ready to go, but with the way he’s played, don’t be surprised if the Canadiens move someone to make room for the speedy, young forward.
And I don’t do this often, but I’d just like to say that I was the first person to say Bournival was an NHL-quality player, way back when he was first acquired. Bournival has ranked 12th on the Habs Top 25 Under 25 for three years in a row, but he could see a jump next season with this news.
