The Montreal Canadiens simply completed one other season by which they missed the playoffs. Though there was a lot particular person enchancment, they completed in the identical spot they did in 2022-23, drafting fifth total. This draft place was the very best factor that occurred to the Habs as a result of they bought to pick offensive stud Ivan Demidov.
There are a lot of questions to begin this offseason, and we right here at The Hockey Writers are prepared to provide you our solutions to them. So sit again and luxuriate in; hopefully, you’ll get the specified solutions.
With So Many Habs Followers Obsessing Over Rutger McGroaty, Do You Suppose Montreal Has Any Curiosity in Him? What Do You Suppose a Commerce for Him Would Look Like?
Rick Seligman – X (previously Twitter)
This has been a burning query since earlier than the draft, and if I have been writing this text final week, I’d say they’ve numerous curiosity. Rutger McGroaty can be a wonderful match for this present Canadiens group and doubtless match nicely of their prime six. There was a hearsay that Montreal made a suggestion involving Filip Mesar, Justin Barron and a future first-round decide. This hearsay is from a Slovak report and thru a third-party, so take this with a large grain of salt. If their curiosity is a simple sure, any group within the Habs place needs to be occupied with a younger potential top-six ahead. How a lot curiosity is the true query? Now that the Canadiens drafted Demidov, the curiosity most likely isn’t as excessive as earlier than.
To reply the second a part of your query, what would a commerce appear like? The Mesar deal appears good to me, no less than for Montreal. They’re giving up two drafted first-round picks and one other future first-rounder for a Thirteenth-overall decide, who appears like he might be an NHL stud. Winnipeg most likely needs extra for him as a result of they know his potential, however they’re backed into a little bit nook, and in the event that they don’t commerce his rights for one thing quickly, he can end college and stroll away a free agent. Different groups may also attempt to commerce for him, so the Habs may nonetheless need to pay extra if they need him. In conclusion, I believe the Mesar provide is truthful, and I wouldn’t go additional than that.
What Are the Expectations for Lane Hutson?
Jim Sneddon – X (previously Twitter)
Lane Hutson is likely one of the massive prospect hopefuls that the Canadiens have of their system. After what can solely be described as a record-breaking Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA) profession, Hutson is able to play for the NHL. The expectations placed on by the followers are very excessive after two NHL video games, by which he registered two assists, taking part in for over 20 minutes in every recreation. Finally, Hutson didn’t look misplaced in any respect. The factor you need to have a look at, nonetheless, is it’s solely two video games and never the grind of a whole NHL season, which can present extra of Hutson’s flaws and talents.
Associated: Canadiens Shouldn’t Rush to Commerce Matheson in Favour of Hutson
The expectations are very excessive from the followers to the purpose that they need to commerce away Mike Matheson earlier than Hutson even will get an precise begin on the Montreal blueline. To me, that is too excessive. I’m not towards buying and selling Matheson, however I’d somewhat wait to see if Hutson is able to fill that gap. I consider administration feels the identical approach, and except they get a can’t miss provide that is available in for Matheson, he gained’t be transferring – no less than to begin the season. I believe Hutson will begin with second-line minutes, and head coach Martin St. Louis will do the identical with him as Juraj Slafkovsky, which can have him work on the weak elements of his recreation. As soon as his confidence and recreation enhance, you will note a rise in minutes. If they need, the group can safely commerce Matheson by the deadline.
What Different Items Do You Suppose the Staff Must Add to Complement the Inner Lengthy-Time period Items?
Tommy Bennett – X (previously Twitter)
The Canadiens signed Slafkovsky for eight years at $7.6 million per season. Additionally they have their total first line signed long-term, all three for below $8 million every. Slafkovsky stated it was by no means in regards to the cash; he loves what the group is constructing right here and needs to see the place it ends. Montreal now has numerous important items in place, and with its deep prospect pool, they’ve the belongings so as to add vital items to it within the subsequent couple of seasons.
The items they should spherical out the roster can be a well-established top-six ahead that may assist the second line rating extra and take strain off the highest line. They may additionally use an improve in goaltending, however that would come within the type of Jacob Fowler, a prospect of their system within the NCAA. I wouldn’t count on a lot this offseason, however subsequent season, you will note basic supervisor (GM) Kent Hughes begin placing the items collectively for a constant playoff group. The very best they will do is attempt to signal one of many star-studded unrestricted free brokers within the 2025 group after which encompass the younger guys with regular bottom-six veterans.
Do You Suppose Laine Is a Match for the Habs?
Stephen Bartlett – X (previously Twitter)
The easy reply is sure. The extra sophisticated reply is whether or not he might be wholesome sufficient to make a distinction. Patrick Laine is a pure aim scorer and has executed comparatively nicely with the Columbus Blue Jackets when he’s wholesome. We all know he has had latest damage points, and he did go into the NHL/NHLPA Participant Assitance Program. His contract is for 2 extra seasons at a cap hit of $8.7 million. Montreal has the room to carry him on the group, and he can be there within the quick time period, which is exactly what Hughes is in search of this season. What a commerce would appear like is unknown; his worth isn’t overly excessive proper now, however don’t be shocked in the event that they attempt to transfer a participant like Josh Anderson for him.
Is It Too Early to Assign a Letter Grade to What Habs Administration Has Finished So Far This Offseason? Or, if Not, How Would You Grade Them?
Ed Helinski – X (Previously Twitter)
This is a wonderful query as a result of the Canadiens administration hasn’t executed something this low season. Their solely free agent signing to date is Alex Barre-Boulet, and that is extra a few veteran presence with the Laval Rocket. They haven’t made any trades, which most have thought they might have made by now. Montreal has been linked to Laine, McGoarty, Martin Necas, and Trevor Zegras for what looks like perpetually, however no strikes have been made but. It takes two to tango, so to talk – the opposite groups appear to be asking lots in return, and Hughes gained’t make a deal except it really works for the Habs.
The very best offseason transfer was the signing of Slafkovsky. Hughes didn’t go with a bridge deal and now has three of his star gamers signed long-term, so due to this signing, I’ll give them a B grade for the offseason. They by no means deliberate to do a lot with free company, so I can’t fault them for that. They did attempt to get Jonathan Marchessault, however he determined to signal elsewhere. As for the commerce entrance, I believe they’re attempting, however they’re simply not getting offers they really feel swimsuit the group long-term.
Which Vet, Who Most Followers Have Written Off, May Have a Nice Season?
Hawkeye – X (Previously Often called Twitter)
I believe the Canadiens vet who has been written off and might have a fantastic season is Josh Anderson. He had a horrible season final 12 months and will by no means constantly get something going. With a brand new begin and a few higher chemistry together with his linemates, he may have a turnaround season and probably get again to scoring 20 targets once more. I’m unsure what occurred with Anderson final 12 months. It looks like a mixture of many issues, however hopefully, it’s behind him, and he can reboot and begin once more.
I hope this solutions your questions. Be at liberty to touch upon my solutions based mostly in your ideas. As at all times, I welcome listening to from all Habs followers. As soon as the season will get nearer, we are going to open the mailbag once more.
