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Canadiens’ Future Bright, But Playoff Push Still Unlikely
The Montreal Canadiens showed signs of progress during their 2023-2024 campaign, finishing with 76 points in the Atlantic Division. While still in the midst of a rebuilding phase, the Canadiens managed to improve on their previous season, though it wasn’t enough to contend for a playoff spot. After a sluggish start to the season, Montreal gradually increased their ESBC Power AI rating, signaling positive underlying trends, especially toward the latter part of the year. If the team can build on that momentum, they might take another step forward this upcoming season.
Offensively, young stars Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki continued to develop and were once again the driving forces for the Canadiens. Caufield’s goal-scoring ability and Suzuki’s all-around play helped the team stay competitive in many games. However, Montreal’s Achilles’ heel was their defensive play, as they conceded a staggering 289 goals. That level of defensive weakness made it impossible for the Canadiens to seriously challenge for a playoff spot.
The season was also marred by injuries, particularly to key players like Kirby Dach, who managed only two games before being sidelined. Dach, when healthy, has shown flashes of top-line potential and can easily post over 50 points in a full season. His absence further limited the Canadiens’ chances of gaining any real traction.
Offseason Moves:
Montreal was relatively quiet in the 2024 offseason, reflecting their focus on long-term growth rather than immediate success. The team saw no significant departures, but they did make one notable addition: Finnish sniper Patrik Laine. Laine is a player with immense talent but has struggled with consistency in recent years. His elite shooting ability offers the potential for over 30 goals if he can regain form. However, Laine suffered a preseason injury and will likely miss the first couple of months of the season. While his absence is a setback, the Canadiens hope he will provide a much-needed scoring punch when he returns.
Kirby Dach’s return to full health is another significant boost for the Canadiens. Dach has the talent to be a key offensive contributor and could slot in as a top-six forward, helping ease some of the pressure on Suzuki and Caufield. His versatility and size make him a valuable piece of Montreal’s future plans.
Despite the addition of Laine, Montreal’s lack of major offseason moves suggests that they are still focused on developing their young core and prospects rather than making a strong push for the playoffs this season. The Canadiens’ goalie tandem of Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau remains unchanged. Both goaltenders showed potential last season, but neither has proven to be a long-term solution in net, which is a crucial area for Montreal to address moving forward.
2024-2025 Season Outlook:
Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 season, the Canadiens are still in rebuilding mode, but there are reasons for optimism. Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki will continue to lead the team offensively, and the addition of Patrik Laine, once healthy, could help Montreal significantly improve their goal-scoring ability. If Laine can regain his confidence and shooting accuracy, he could form a dynamic offensive trio with Caufield and Suzuki.
Kirby Dach’s health will be a key factor in determining how much progress the Canadiens can make. A healthy Dach adds depth to Montreal’s forward group, giving them more options for secondary scoring. Under head coach Martin St. Louis, the team has shown flashes of progress, and his focus on developing the younger players has started to bear fruit.
However, defense remains the Canadiens' biggest challenge. Allowing 289 goals last season was far too high, and while the team is slowly improving, they will need to tighten up defensively to take the next step. The current defensive core lacks elite shutdown talent, which will likely hold them back from making a playoff push. Additionally, the goaltending situation is still a question mark, as Montembeault and Primeau have yet to establish themselves as reliable NHL starters.
Conclusion:
The Montreal Canadiens enter the 2024-2025 season with tempered expectations as they continue their rebuild. While the addition of Patrik Laine adds some intrigue, his early-season absence and the team’s ongoing defensive struggles make a playoff run unlikely. However, with key young players developing and a solid pipeline of prospects, the Canadiens are laying the groundwork for future success. This season will be about continuing that development, with the hope of seeing improvement across the board, particularly on defense and in goal.
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