Kevin Mandolese has arrived in Brossard, giving Martin St-Louis and the Montreal Canadiens another goalie to watch closely.
The 25-year-old took the ice alongside Jakub Dobes after recently signing a one-year contract with the Laval Rocket.
It was Mandolese's first appearance in Brossard since the deal, and his arrival immediately added another layer to Montreal's goaltending picture.
Dobes was already working individually with Canadiens goaltending coach Marco Marciano, fine-tuning his positioning and movements around the crease.
That one-on-one attention remains valuable for Dobes as he prepares to push for a larger NHL role and establish himself within Montreal's goalie rotation.
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Marciano has remained involved with the organization's netminders throughout the summer despite technically not having a contract for the upcoming season.
The unusual situation allows him to hold these sessions, something coaches under contract cannot do under the NHL collective agreement.
Kevin Mandolese enters an open competition in Montreal
Mandolese's presence was the real development. The Blainville native is stepping into an organization where the depth chart remains unsettled at both NHL and AHL levels.
He posted a .933 save percentage in the American Hockey League last season, though that result came across a limited number of appearances.
The opportunity in Laval could become significant. Mandolese has the size, experience and local connection to push for the Rocket's starting assignment.
Jacob Fowler's placement will shape that battle. Should Fowler remain with the Canadiens, Mandolese would have a direct path toward claiming the Laval crease.
Dobes faces pressure of his own. His summer work with Marciano points toward a goalie preparing to compete for more than occasional starts behind Montreal's established options.
Both goaltenders were on the same ice, but their immediate targets are different. Dobes is chasing NHL responsibility, while Mandolese is trying to secure the leading role in Laval.
Mandolese's arrival gives the Canadiens another option and creates real internal competition before training camp. Montreal's goalie picture just became more crowded, and every summer session now carries extra weight.
Will Kevin Mandolese become Laval's number one goalie?
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