Canadiens top prospect expected to make his NHL debut soon per Dominique Ducharme

Following Monday's practice, Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme talked about defenceman Mattias Norlinder, who is currently on a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League with the Laval Rocket.

Norlinder's conditioning stint in Laval is set to end on November 10th, and Ducharme told reporters that the plan is to call him up to the big club.

"Dominique Ducharme told reporters the plan is to have Mattias Norlinder join the Canadiens and play some games. Remember, his AHL assignment ends after Laval's game Wednesday because he is on an LTIR conditioning loan. So he'll need to go on the roster," Arpon Basu of The Athletic said.

Someone will have to be sent down to Laval to make room on the 23-man roster for Norlinder. One option could be Sami Niku or even Chris Wideman, who has been struggling since returning to North America after winning KHL Defenceman of the Year in the spring.

Norlinder, 21, has quickly risen up the Canadiens prospect depth chart over the last couple of seasons. He was drafted by Montreal in the third round in 2019, and signed his three-year entry-level contract with the team this past summer.

The Kramfors, Sweden native appeared in one pre-season game for the Canadiens, but then suffered an undisclosed injury. In two games with Laval on his conditioning stint, Norlinder had no points, no penalty minutes, and was a minus-three.

Once Norlinder plays some games for the Canadiens, team management and the coaching staff will have to determine whether they want to keep him here in Montreal or send him back to Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League.

I was not at practice but Dominique Ducharme told reporters the plan is to have Mattias Norlinder join the Canadiens and play some games. Remember, his AHL assignment ends after Laval's game Wednesday because he is on an LTIR conditioning loan. So he'll need to go on the roster.— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) November 8, 2021

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