The Montreal Canadiens have missed the playoffs for three of the past four seasons.  Despite hitting 96 points last season, experts have predicted the Canadiens will sit around 89 point mark in the 2019-2020 season. 

For a huge majority of the Canadiens fan base, missing the playoffs for another season will be deemed as a complete failure for the current regime with Marc Bergevin entering his 7th season as team General Manager.

A closer look at the Canadiens’ competition in the Atlantic Division, one can see Habs will be hard pressed to change the narrative next season.  Although the Canadiens did finish 4 points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, it appears the changes the Canadiens made during the off-season, will not be enough to close the gap.

Montreal

This past off-season, Canadiens addressed their backup goalie needs as Antti Niemi, and the Canadiens parted ways.  The Canadiens also traded some Cup pedigree in Andrew Shaw, getting draft picks from Chicago in return.  Jordie Benn proved to be too expensive for the Canadiens blue line, as he signed with Vancouver.  Thereby Habs made some signings starting with Keith Kinkaid to back up Carey Price.  Price is still the workhorse and will be expected to play 62-65 games this upcoming season.  Nick Cousins was signed to provide some depth at centre.  And Ben Chiarot to shore up the Canadiens defence.  The Canadiens are still lacking a left defencman to play with Shea Weber.  The Canadiens youth movement is still ongoing, as Jesperi Kotkaniemi will now have one full season under his belt.  Max Domi is coming off a career season.  Centres Ryan Poehling, and Nick Suzuki are both fighting for a roster spot.  And defenceman Noah Juulsen wants to resume where he left off prior to suffering a head injury a quarter into the season last.  

Tampa

Both Tampa and Boston made little changes for the upcoming season. And both teams will battle for the Division title.  Tampa’s only significant addition this past off-season was signing Unrestricted Free Agent defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk from the Rangers.  Tampa did lose defenceman Anton Stralman to their cross state rival Florida Panthers.  Tampa remains a powerhouse up front with Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov (who won the scoring title last season), and Braydon Point.  On defence they are led by Victor Hedman, and Ryan McDonagh.  In goal they extended Andrei Vasilevskiy, coming off his Vezina Award winning season.

Boston

Boston added depth signing forwards Par Lindholm and Brett Ritchie.  Up front, Bruins will once again be lead by Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak.  On defence, Torey Krug, Charlie McAvoy, and Zedano Chara.

Toronto

Although the Canadiens did finish four points back of the Maple leafs in the standings last season, Toronto is playing the short game.  Gone are Nazem Kadri, Patrick Marleau, Conor Brown, Tyler Ennis, Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey, and Jake Gardiner.  In their places, Toronto added Alexander Kerfoot, Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur and Jason Spezza.  The big question mark is Mitch Marner who is still unsigned for 2019-20.  As history proves, if a player misses training camp, it’s that much harder to be as productive as before.  Just ask last season’s holdout, WIlliam Nylander.

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Florida

The Florida Panthers look to be the most improved team this off-season.  Last season Florida finished with 86 points; 10 points behind the Canadiens.  And this off-season Florida overhauled their coaching staff, by hiring Joel Quenneville as head coach.  Signing UFA goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to a 7-year, $70M contract, prying away defenceman Anton Stralman from Tampa, forward Brett Connolly from Washington, and adding depth down the middle with the signing of Noel Acciari from Boston.  And what did Florida give up?  Not much.  Roberto Luongo retired, and that mean huge cap relief for the Panthers.  But the huge difference maker is signing Bobrovsky, as he alone can get five extra wins.  

Buffalo

I’m not sure what the Buffalo Sabres game plan is.  Their only significant off season acquisitiona were the signing of forward Marcus Johansson from Boston, and acquiring left winger Jimmy Vesey.  Buffalo do have a good young crop of players in Jack Eichel, Zemgus Girgensons, Jeff Skinner, and Sam Reinhart.  On the blue line they are led by Rasmus Ristolainen, and sophomore Rasmus Dahlin. In goal, Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark will battle for no. 1.  The one x-factor with Buffalo will be their new head coach as Ralph Kreuger returns to the NHL.  Kreuger spent the past five years as chairman of English Premier League soccer club Southampton FC.  Kreuger has a wealth of experience coaching national programs, and is considered a great communicator.

Detroit

The Detroit Red Wings seem intent to build through the draft.  They have had top-10 draft picks in the last three seasons.  This off-season they signed defenceman Patrik Nemeth from Colorado, and brought back Valtteri Filppula.  They seem content to have parted ways with veterans Niklas Kronwall, and Thomas Vanek.  As a result, safe to say Detroit is in rebuilding mode.

Ottawa

Hard to imagine how quickly Ottawa Senators have revamped their roster in just two short seasons.  After going “all-in” two seasons ago, Ottawa finished last in the Atlantic last season and want to build a contender.  But their strategy is questionable.  They brought in veteran Ron Hainsey.  They traded away offensive defenceman Cody Ceci in order to avoid arbitration.  Ottawa also acquired Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Brown from Toronto.  Although Ottawa does have allot of young talent in Thomas Chabot, Anthony Duclair, and Brady Tkachuk, not sure if they can earn a playoff berth in 2019-20.

Wild-Card

So, what are the Montreal Canadiens chances for making the playoffs in 2019-20?  The best bet is the Canadiens will be fighting for a Wild-Card berth joining the likes of Carolina, Philadelphia, Florida, Pittsburgh, Columbus, NY Rangers, and the much-improved New Jersey Devils; all fighting for the last two wild card berths. Meaning chances are this fight will go down to the 82nd game of the season.