Updates from morning skate - November 11

BROSSARD -- The Canadiens held an optional skate at the Bell Sports Complex ahead of their matchup against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre.

TICKETS: Flames @ Canadiens
Ten players hit the ice, including forwards Adam Brooks, Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, Michael Pezzetta and Ryan Poehling, defensemen Sami Niku, Mattias Norlinder and Alexander Romanov, and goaltenders Jake Allen and Sam Montembeault.
During his pre-game press conference, head coach Dominique Ducharme confirmed that Poehling will make his season debut with Montreal.

The 22-year-old center, who was recalled from the AHL's Laval Rocket last night, will take Cedric Paquette's spot on a line with Pezzetta and Alex Belzile to start the contest.
Poehling registered six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in seven games with the Rocket this season.
"I just got back to my game and played well. My preseason didn't go exactly how I wanted. I had a good talk with Berg and the coaching staff, and I went down there and did exactly what they asked, and that's why I got the call back up," explained Poehling. "Obviously there were injuries, but I just want to take what I did down there and try to acclimate it into my game here in the NHL, so hopefully I'll be able to do that."
Selected 25th overall in 2017, the St. Cloud State University product says time spent under head coach Jean-François Houle was beneficial.
He appreciated the environment in Laval and believes it helped him get back on track.

"I thought I played a lot harder and I cared a lot more. Laval's a great place. I enjoy it. I love the guys. The coaching staff is great, and I think we kind of created a little bond there as a group," mentioned Poehling. "It was just fun to play. I like competing with people and outworking other teams, and that was the biggest difference for me."
Most importantly, though, Poehling was confident that despite a subpar showing during the preseason, he still had all the tools necessary to earn another shot with the big club.
"I just trusted myself. That was the biggest thing. You've got to realize that this is how you got yourself here and you just have to trust yourself as a player," added Poehling, who'll be appearing in his first NHL game since February 4, 2020. "I did a good job of doing that, and it paid off."

Ducharme on Poehling: 'I hope he'll seize the opportunity'
Ducharme commented on Poehling's return, explaining the reason for his demotion just as the regular season began back in mid-October.
Remember that the Lakeville, MN native earned a roster spot out of training camp, but was sent down ahead of the opener against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
"We had a good discussion with him when he went down, and he agreed. We thought early in camp he was skating really well, but that didn't translate into games and having an impact on games," said Ducharme. "We looked at different things and he went to Laval. He really worked on that, and he's been playing some good hockey. He was injured, but came back and picked up where he left off and kept going, so we want him to bring that to our team."

Now, the ball is squarely in Poehling's court to deliver for the Habs.
Ducharme made that abundantly clear on Thursday morning.
"It's up to him. When it comes to the NHL, when you have an opportunity and you have a chance, the door opens. At some point, you have to break through. You put your foot in the door, you keep it there, and you keep advancing. That's the kind of chance he has. That's the way the League is," added Ducharme. "That's hockey. It's a game, but it's also a business, and you have to perform among the best in the world. This is his chance. I think he's in good spirits. He matured from the chat we had at the end of camp. I hope he'll seize the opportunity."
Poehling on Caufield: 'Cole's a great kid'
Winger Cole Caufield definitely has a friend in Poehling.
The pair was reunited in Laval after Caufield was assigned to the Rocket on November 1.
Poehling talked about his recent interactions with the 2021 Hobey Baker Award winner.
"Cole's a great kid. He came down there, and obviously he wasn't excited about it, but he had a good attitude towards it. I called him right after it happened. I've been through a similar thing," said Poehling. "Obviously, I didn't go on a great NHL run and do all these great things, but for him I said, 'From my perspective I went down there and I didn't have the greatest attitude. I'll admit it, and I regret it.' For him to come down there, and kind of show humility, just be a part of the team, learn from people and bring a great attitude, it was great to see. He's a good kid, and he's going to have a long career, so I was happy to see that."

With plenty of AHL experience on his resume, journeyman Alex Belzile was asked if he had any advice for Caufield as he navigates the League and looks to produce in the manner he was accustomed to during the postseason run to the Stanley Cup Final.
"Just to have fun, honestly. Hockey is fun. It's a game. In my opinion, that's the best thing in the world, just to play hockey. It doesn't matter where you are. You try to have fun, be sharp and be focused," said Belzile. "I've realized through the years that it's important just to have fun. There are so many things that are going to happen in a season that you cannot control, so instead of worrying about things in your head left and right, just focus on yourself, work on your game, have fun, and things will get going. Everything happens for a reason."

Quick hits
Forward Jonathan Drouin will miss a fourth consecutive game with headaches.
Ducharme, however, is confident that Dvorak and forward Josh Anderson will play.
Norlinder won't be in uniform after returning from his conditioning stint with the Rocket last night.
The 21-year-old Swede is still awaiting his NHL debut.
For his part, Allen will get the start in goal.