Grading the Offseason Moves in the Atlantic Division: Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are no longer rebuilding.
They are certainly a team on the move.
Last season saw the Canadiens become a real player in the tough Atlantic Division, finishing third in the standings before knocking out the Tampa Bay Lightning in 7 to open up the playoffs.
Montreal then dropped the Buffalo Sabres in Round 2 giving them the unofficial Atlantic Division crown.
Although the Canadiens lost in the Eastern Conference final to the Carolina Hurricanes, their ascend to the NHL Final Four has been impressive.
General manager Kent Hughes certainly could have gone big-game hunting this offseason but with the team he has, there was no need.
The Canadiens have a core group which includes Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Noah Dobson are all locked in.
FHN ATLANTIC DIVISION OFFSEASON GRADES
This summer, Ivan Demidov signed a long-term deal, with young goalie Jakub Dobes getting a three-year contract.
That is good roster management.
Had a difference-making player been available, Hughes may have gone after him.
And, still might.
But right now, few teams look as solid going into this coming season as the Canadiens do.
Montreal has a core group which should have them competing at the highest level for the near future. They added depth, had a pretty strong draft, and did not burden themselves with any bad contracts.
That’s a pretty good offseason.
MONTREAL CANADIENS OFFSEASON
- Key Additions: D Maksymilian Szuber (T-Utah); F Brett Berard (T-Rangers); various depth and two-way contracts
- Key Subtractions: F Brendan Gallagher (T-Vancouver); F Joshua Roy (T-Utah); F Joe Veleno (not qualified); F Patrik Laine (UFA)
- The Big Move: The eight-year extension for Demidov ($73 million) was a big step in securing a potential franchise player long-term at a reasonable number. When you are in the position the Canadiens are in, these are the kind of moves you make.
- The Big Gamble: Standing pat on the top-six forward market. Hughes clearly wanted another impact piece but refused to overpay, betting on internal development and chemistry will be enough. We don’t hate it.
- Other Moves: Three-year extension for Dobes; one-year deal for Kirby Dach.
- The Grade: B. There was not much for Montreal to do this offseason, and they did not take any unnecessary risks. The Canadiens are pretty happy with where things stand as they should be. The question is, does this team keep moving forward in a tough division? Montreal figures it is one of the big reasons why the Atlantic is so tough in the first place.
