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Questions on what number of objectives Patrik Laine will rating, what the goaltending will probably be like and a veteran third line making US$16.45 million.
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Do you suppose the Canadiens are making the playoffs this season, or are we another yr away from actually competing?
Luc Leblanc
If Patrik Laine can regain the goal-scoring kind he had in Winnipeg, the Canadiens ought to be capable to keep in playoff competition longer than within the earlier three seasons. Nevertheless, I don’t suppose Laine is sufficient to get them into the postseason — particularly within the very powerful Atlantic Division. Even when Laine does rating 30-plus objectives, the offence will drop off after the primary two strains and there will probably be a younger defence corps enjoying in entrance of the goaltending duo of Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. The arrival of Ivan Demidov subsequent season, together with no matter strikes GM Kent Hughes would possibly make earlier than subsequent season, ought to have the Canadiens in a greater place to compete significantly for a playoff spot a yr from now.
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What number of factors do you suppose Laine will put up this season?
mdvancouver on X @gmdvancouver
It can actually be fascinating to see what sort of affect head coach Martin St. Louis has on Laine, who wasn’t joyful in Winnipeg or Columbus. There are loads of pink flags regarding Laine — just like Pierre-Luc Dubois, who didn’t work out properly throughout his one season with the Los Angeles Kings after he wasn’t joyful in Columbus and Winnipeg and he has now been traded to Washington.
As Hughes places it, gamers don’t neglect easy methods to play hockey and Laine definitely hasn’t forgotten easy methods to rating objectives. I’d anticipate Laine to attain 20-25 objectives and have about 50 factors. But when any coach can get extra out of him it’s in all probability St. Louis.
What’s your tackle the goalie tandem of Montembeault/Primeau being sufficient? Will they’ve sufficient help from the present defence protecting pictures from the surface, and so forth?
Catattawhale on X @catattawhale
As famous above, goaltending is without doubt one of the large query marks heading into this season. Montembeault has proven he may give his group an opportunity to win on most nights, however he’s not going to steal video games the way in which Carey Worth might. That is additionally a giant season for Primeau within the last yr of his contract. There will probably be stress on him and will probably be fascinating to see if he can deal with it. The Canadiens gave up the third-most pictures towards within the NHL final season (33.4 per sport) and I don’t anticipate them to enhance a lot in that class with extra younger defencemen within the lineup.
Street to the Cup
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Any probability having Laine on the group will encourage Joel Armia to raise his sport?
Paul Martin
Armia definitely elevated his sport final season after getting a giant wakeup name by being despatched right down to the AHL’s Laval Rocket not as soon as, however twice. Armia scored six objectives within the final 12 video games, giving him 17 for the season. He’s heading into the ultimate season of his contract, which must be added motivation. Having a fellow Finn on the group may additionally assist encourage Armia — particularly in the event that they get any time as linemates.
What do you suppose if Montreal has like US$16 million on the third line with Brendan Gallagher, Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson?
Joe on X @jjtotall
It definitely seems to be like that would be the third line with a salary-cap hit of US$16.45 million with Gallagher (US$6.5 million), Anderson (US$5.5 million) and Dvorak (US$4.45 million). Final season they mixed for 30 objectives — 16 by Gallagher, 9 by Anderson and 5 by Dvorak. They’d have to nearly double that for the Canadiens to have any probability of creating the playoffs and that appears impossible.
Gallagher will all the time give 100-per-cent effort on each shift and performs his greatest when he has common linemates. So possibly he can click on with the opposite two in the event that they keep collectively. Anderson regarded completely misplaced final season and will probably be trying to show that was only one dangerous season and that age (30) and his shoulder surgical procedure 4 years in the past earlier than former GM Marc Bergevin acquired him from Columbus hasn’t caught as much as him. Dvorak has proven he can’t keep wholesome, lacking 96 video games throughout his three seasons with the Canadiens. Fortunately for the Canadiens that is the final season of Dvorak’s contract, whereas Gallagher and Anderson each have three years left.
Haven’t heard an excessive amount of about Owen Beck’s prospects for this yr. Watched him on the world junior match and was impressed by his 200-foot play.
Gary Geiring
Beck’s 200-foot play, his hockey IQ and his skill to win faceoffs are large the reason why the Canadiens chosen him within the second spherical (thirty third general) of the 2022 NHL Draft. I believe a full season enjoying within the AHL for the Rocket will probably be greatest for his growth. But when (when?) there are accidents with the Canadiens I can see him being one of many first gamers known as up if he’s enjoying properly in Laval. I consider he undoubtedly has a future with the Canadiens.
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