A late surge into the playoffs already seems beyond the reach of the Montreal Canadiens in 2023. As the regular season heads into February, the Habs seem consigned to regrouping for next term and beyond.

It’s been a difficult stretch for the team, and a difficult task may now be impossible due to the injury suffered by Cole Caulfield.

Avoidable Absence

Right winger Caulfield is now set to miss the remainder of the campaign and is facing shoulder surgery. His injury has caused a good deal of controversy with claims that the team doctors should have shut him down much earlier.

At the age of just 22, Caulfield is seen as part of a brighter Habs’ future. A stunning career for Wisconsin at college level saw the winger drafted into the Montreal Canadiens’ squad in 2021, and he’s been establishing himself in the starting line up since that point.

Cole Caulfield now needs to start focusing on a return next season, but is there anything left for the Habs this term?

Slim Hopes

Even before Cole Caulfield succumbed to injury, Montreal Canadiens’ season was already being written off. In terms of the Stanley Cup, that hope has long since vanished. Currently, online betting sites around the industry show that the Boston Bruins are clear favorites to take the biggest prize.

The closest challenges are expected to come from the Colorado Avalanche, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Montreal Canadiens are nowhere to be found in the Stanley Cup markets, but what about Divisional and Conference odds? Once again, those sportsbooks indicate that success in either the Eastern Conference or the Atlantic Division is unlikely, to say the least.

It’s all about regrouping for next season when those markets will be reset. The odds in question are supplied by Sbo.net who monitor NHL betting throughout the campaign. Stanley Cup options are published well in advance and readers can take time to assess the figures.

Also available is supporting information in the shape of breaking news, opinion and useful betting guides. Those that wish to test their knowledge further are able to do so, as all sportsbooks on the SBO panel will be willing to accept new customers.

In return for completing a fast and secure online registration form, many operators will release an impressive welcome package. There are several funding providers on hand who can smooth the financial transactions while help operators are standing by.

Moving forward, there will be other benefits to playing regularly. Mobile betting apps, live markets and a choice of other sports are regularly provided. It’s a one stop shop for hockey betting, but can the Habs make more of an impact in 2023?

Issues in 2022/2023

The injury to Cole Caulfield simply rounded off what had already been a subdued campaign at the Bell Centre. After 67 games of the regular season, the Canadiens sat rock bottom in the Atlantic Division standings, and hopes of making it into the playoffs had all but evaporated.

Caulfield may not be the most important player on the Habs’ roster, but he’s certainly had his moments this season. His two goals in a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators in January was a particular highlight.

Elsewhere, others have come under the media spotlight. One particular story underlines the fact that Alex Belzile is still chasing his first NHL goal at the age of 31. Scoring isn’t his main job, but that’s not a stat that Belzile would want added to his name as his career enters its 13th season.

Certain players will always be singled out, but the reality is that this is a team game and that Canadiens’ team just hasn’t been good enough.

Regrouping for 2023/24

The NHL draft will naturally play a part for all teams in the offseason. Reports claim that the Habs are aiming at a third first round pick and that could be significant as they look to rebuild their roster.

The avoidance of waivers has also attracted the attention of the media and this is another area that the Canadiens may want to address.

It’s not been a great season, but a few changes to the roster building approach could lead to a more positive 2023.