**Canadiens Finalize Roster Ahead of Season Opener** The Montreal Canadiens made their final roster cuts on Sunday, confirming no surprises as they prepare for their season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The team announced that forwards Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj, along with defenseman Adam Engström, have been assigned to the AHL’s Laval Rocket. Additionally, forward Samuel Blais and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen have been placed on waivers. Only one of the 12 forward positions was available when training camp began, and Oliver Kapanen secured that spot. Kapanen did not play in the Canadiens' last preseason game, a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, as head coach Martin St. Louis indicated he had seen enough from the 22-year-old during training camp and exhibition matches. Kapanen is expected to center a line with wingers Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov. The Canadiens took a day off on Sunday, with no media availability, and will practice at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. St. Louis praised Kapanen's performance, stating, "Kappy plays a very mature game. He has an NHL computer and I find he’s taken a step also physically compared to last year. He does a lot of things on the ice." Kapanen was selected by the Canadiens in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. He began last season with the team but was sent back to Timra IK in the Swedish Hockey League after recording no goals and two assists in 18 games. He later played 36 games with Timra, achieving 15 goals and 20 assists, and contributed three goals and three assists in 11 playoff games with Laval. Teammate Cole Caufield described Kapanen's style, saying, "I don’t want to say boring, but just does it all the right way. There’s not too much flash, but you can just tell he knows what to do. He’s comfortable out there. He creates a lot of space for his linemates and can skate well. I’ve really been impressed with his D side of the game." Kapanen's defensive skills align with St. Louis's strategy, which emphasizes strong defense in offensive and neutral zones to minimize time spent in their own zone. The only uncertainty on defense was whether Arber Xhekaj or Jayden Struble would join Alexandre Carrier on the third pairing. The top four defensemen are Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, Lane Hutson, and Kaiden Guhle. Both Xhekaj and Struble made the team and will compete for playing time alongside Carrier. Despite a strong training camp, Engström was sent to Laval, as he does not require waivers, unlike Xhekaj and Struble. Beck and Xhekaj also had solid camps but were among the final cuts. The Canadiens opted to keep 13 forwards, with Joe Veleno as the extra player. They will carry seven defensemen and two goalies, Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes, for a 22-man roster, one below the NHL maximum. St. Louis explained the decision, saying, "Thirteen (forwards) is a little easier because you only have to tell one player why he’s not in the lineup instead of two. With 14, it’s not easy. You don’t play a lot. Thirteen sometimes keeps the others a little more alert also. It’s very competitive internally." Veleno, who signed a one-year, $900,000 contract this summer, had 8 goals and 9 assists in 74 games last season, split between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. He was the first Quebec player granted exceptional player status in junior hockey, being the No. 1 overall pick by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2015 QMJHL Draft. The Canadiens will begin their season with three consecutive road games. After facing the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, they will visit the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday and the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. The home opener at the Bell Centre is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14, against the Seattle Kraken, marking the start of four straight home games.