When the Montreal Canadiens finished the 2021-22 season dead last, and ended up winning the NHL Draft lottery, pundits would say Habs can only improve for this season.
Well … maybe.
According to best sportsbooks in Ontario, Habs have excellent chances of finishing near the bottom of the league again this season.
The rookie
Slafkovsky Canadiens first pick overall 2022 NHL Entry Draft
At the start of Training Camp, all eyes were on Habs number 1 pick in the draft, left-winger Juraj Slafkovsky. So far at camp, Slafkovsky is struggling keeping up with the play. Often times his back-checking is poor, or is just too slow. Nevertheless, Head Coach Marty St-Louis is doing every thing possible to put Slafkovsky In winning situations. Chances are Slafkovsky might start opening night October 12 vs Toronto Maple Leafs, however look for Slafkovsky to spend some considerable amount of time with the Habs AHL affiliate, Laval Rocket.
Up front
The Canadiens seem set at the forward position, and will have four centres they are banking on to drive the attack. Captain Nick Suzuki, Christian Dvorak, Kirby Dach, and Jake Evans. Newly acquired Sean Monahan is expected to come off injury reserve some time in October. Remains to be seen how healthy Jonathan Drouin will be this season as he hopes to come back from a forgetful 2021-22 season. Brendan Gallagher says he fully rested and healthy, as he too looking to bounce back. Sadly, looks like team veteran, Paul Byron will start the season on LTIR still recovering from hip surgery.
On defence
The Canadiens have completely overhauled their defence since their Cup Final appearance of two seasons ago. Only Joel Edmundson remains. He will be joined on the blue line by David Savard, Chris Wideman and Mike Matheson who was acquired from Pittsburgh in the Jeff Petry trade. And then the Canadiens are going with the inexperienced movement. Where any of the following will be called to duty; Justin Barron, Jordan Harris, Corey Schueuneman or Madison Bowey will suit up. Safe to say the Canadiens blue line will be razor thin, even more so if Edmundson starts the season on the IR.
The Puck stops here
The goaltending positing starts and ends with Carey Price. And Price will be on LTIR for the whole season with his chronic knee injury. Jake Allen will see the bulk of the work this season, to be backed up by Samuel Montembeault. So where is Cayden Primeau? Primeau needs to see lots of hockey this season if he’s going to evolve into a starting NHL goalie. Primeau is expected to be the starter with Laval Rocket.
Suffice to day, this team would have looked completely different with a healthy Carey Price.