The NHL has put its season on ice, at least for the time being. The momentous decision was announced early on Thursday and comes on the heels of the NBA’s announcement the day prior to halt proceedings, a move it was forced to make after it was revealed an NBA player tested positive for Coronavirus.

Seconds before the Thunder-Jazz game tipped-off on Wednesday night in Oklahoma, Thunder’s head medical staffer raced onto to the court to talk to referees. Immediately afterward players were marched off the court and back into their respective locker rooms, leaving spectators and a national television audience agog, totally in the dark and wondering what was going on. Why the sudden postponement?

Speculation was rife and not just in the stadium. Twitter was bursting at the seams with rumors, much of it trotting out the deadly virus, COVID-19, which is wreaking havoc on an extraordinary global scale, as the culprit behind this unprecedented happenstance.

It wasn’t long afterward that the reason for the swift postponement was revealed,  confirming everyone’s worst fears and delivering the biggest news to hit the NBA: Rudy Gobert had tested positive for coronavirus.

Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

Sources say Gobert is feeling good, strong and stable — and was feeling strong enough to play tonight.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020

Less than an hour later, the NBA announced it was pulling the plug on the season for the foreseeable, suspending all activity indefinitely.

It is unknown whether the NBA will resume proceedings at some point later this year or whether it will decide to simply put the 2019-20 season to bed altogether, leaving it incomplete forevermore. What is obvious, however, is that the league is finally being a responsible global citizen, putting the health of its players, staff, fans, and organization as a whole first.

That the NHL followed suit less than 24 hours after Gobert’s diagnosis isn’t really surprising. It was inevitable. Gobert testing positive for the Coronavirus that is gripping the world, like no other disease has in recent memory and turning life as we know it upside down, economically and individually, had a sobering effect on not just the NBA but North American sports in general. Maybe even North America in its entirety.

By now, Gobert’s irresponsibility and reckless attitude towards the threat of Coronavirus have been viewed by millions. Love him or hate him – that’s another debate entirely – there’s an argument to be had that he may have inadvertently saved the nation. What happened to him definitely caused all and sundry to stand up and take notice. Take the pandemic more seriously than it was being treated up to that point.

A couple of days ago Rudy Gobert joked about the corona virus by touching everything on the podium. Now, it’s suspected that he’s being taking to the hospital for testing to see if he actually has the corona virus. Bruh. pic.twitter.com/D644Wwy8uC

— DailySportsDosage (@SportsDsd) March 12, 2020

Commissioner Gary Bettman said as much in his statement, “In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus, and after consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019-20 season beginning with tonight’s games,”

Thursday’s slate of NHL games might have been one of the most important nights of the season with so much at stake towards the broad spectrum of the hockey playoff race. Big games were on the cards, from Nashville taking on Toronto, Buffalo facing off against Montreal, Detroit squaring up to Washington and Vegas and Minnesota colliding, and much, much more.

That’s all gone for the time being, perhaps for the rest of the season. It’s a wait and see scenario until further notice. However, the National Players’ Association hailed the decision appropriate in light of the current circumstances.

Bettman referred to Gobert testing positive as one of the key deciding factors in the NHL’s decision, saying “It now seems more likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point,” He went on to add that it would be greatly inappropriate to continue playing games in such a terrifying climate.

Taking a page from the NHL, the CHL and AHL have also decided to suspend their seasons for the time being. Hockey Canada was quick to release a statement, declaring its intention to cancel all hockey activity for the foreseeable.

Chief Executive Officer, Tom Renney, announced that all hockey activity sanctioned by Hockey Canada would be canceled. This involves not just games but covers everything on and off the ice, from meetings, practice, trials and so on.

"Hockey has had to answer a lot of questions over the last number of weeks…we need to be better…"@HockeyCanada CEO Tom Renney addresses the current coaching and social issues in the game and the need for improvement, inclusion and acceptance: https://t.co/Ih7r2hrbmO pic.twitter.com/AIx3gUxToW

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 2, 2019

All major sporting events around the world have had to make a similarly tough decision amidst the growing concern of the Coronavirus pandemic. Systematically, leagues across nations, spanning all manner of sports, have either suspended campaigns or axed seasons altogether.

Since Gobert tested positive for Coronavirus, his Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell has also tested positive for Coronavirus.

This is now year 8 of Marc Bergevin’s reign as Montreal Canadiens’ General Manager.  Canadiens fans are getting impatient as it looks almost certain that the Canadiens will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and fourth in five seasons.

So while hockey fans check out USA Online Casinos  and wonder who has the best chances of winning the Stanley Cup in 2020, Canadiens fans are left pondering when will they return to the playoffs.

The NHL is such a copy-cat league when it comes to building a winner, be it size, speed, defence, etc.  But one thing that hasn’t changed over the years, is that winning teams build their teams around home-grown drafted players.  Look at the St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup winning team from last season.  The Blues had over 10 players they had drafted, on their roster.

In comparison, since Bergevin has been the Canadiens’ GM, Bergevin drafted 60 players.  Of which only five players he drafted are on the club today; Cale Fleuy (2017), Victor Mete (2016), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (2018), Ryan Poehling (2017), Artturi Lehkonen (2013).  In total, on their current 2019-20 roster, the Canadiens have 7 players that were drafted by the team, as Carey Price and Brendan Gallagher were drafted during the Bob Gainey era. 

Bergevin’s 1st round draft picks from 2012 to 2016 are no longer in the picture.  All have been traded (Alex Galchenyuk, Michael McCarron , Nikita Scherbak, Mikhail Sergachev).  Although Noah Juulsen is still with the organization, it remains to be seen if he will ever play hockey again due to a head injury.  Lack of developing own draft picks is a key reason why the Canadiens seem to be spinning their wheels year after year.  In addition, striking out in the first Round of the draft is another major reason.

The Canadiens do boast having 11 picks in the upcoming 2020 NHL Draft, which will be held in Montreal.  But other than the first round, how many 3rd or 4th line players do the Canadiens need?  They have a handful of players in Laval that can fill those roles.  What the Canadiens really need is elite talent.  Top line forwards that will net 100 points.    The last Canadien to come close to a 100-points season was Pierre Turgeon who finished with 96 points in 1995-96.

What also doesn’t help the Canadiens is the fact they have two of the worst contracts in the NHL.  Carey Price’s $10.5M cap-hit and Shea Weber’s $7,8M contacts are seen as albatross.  Untradeable contacts.  And if the Canadiens are to build around these cornerstones, both Price and Weber will be on the other side of 35 years old before the Canadiens might start to look good.  Unless they can break the cycle of spinning their wheels.

Heading into the 2019-20 NHL season, many pundits expected the Montreal Canadiens to be in the mix of a playoff hunt.  But after enduring not one, but two 8-games winless streak, those hopes are quickly fading.  And we are only passed the half-way mark of the 2019-20 season.

According to MyTopSportsbooks East and West both have clear top-three favorites to reach the Stanley Cup final. In the West, the Avalanche (+425) are slightly ahead of the Blues (+470), with Vegas a close third (+510). In the East, the Capitals (+430), Bruins (+460), and Lightning (+460) are a head above the rest of field. The only Canadian team in the top five in either conference is Toronto at +630 to win the East.

The last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup was back in 1993, when the Canadiens won their 24th Stanley Cup.  That was 27 years ago.  A generation ago!!

Should the Canadiens miss the playoffs this season, it will be their third consecutive season that they don’t take part in the Round of 16.  And their fourth in five seasons.  The Canadiens missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons twice before; from 1919-20, 1920-21, 1921-22.  And more recently from 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-02. 

The Canadiens have never missed the playoffs in four successive seasons.  By the look of things, the Canadiens are not throwing in the towel just yet.  In recent weeks they have bolstered their defence by adding defenceman Marco Scandella. They have signed free-agent Russian sniper Ilya Kovalchuk.

However, should the Canadiens even try to make the playoffs at this point?  If the Canadiens fall short, barring a draft lottery miracle, they will draft middle of the pack.  Just like they did last season  And this is the draft year experts are calling it one of the best ever.  How fitting that the 2020 NHL Draft will be held in Montreal end of June. Because all eyes will be on Quebec phenom Alexis Lafreniere.  The top five picks in the upcoming 2020 NHL Draft are all expected to be impact players.  Perhaps the Canadiens should re-think their playoffs push strategy for at least this season.

With the 2019-20 season approaching half-way, it’s a good time to bring back this column as we look at all the new faces for the season, and their numbers.

We begin with the UFAs signed in the off-season.

#37 – Keith Kinkaid

Keith Kinkaid was signed as a free-agent, to back-up Carey Price.  Kinkaid was part of the New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets organizations last season.    It marks the first time Kinkaid wears #37, having worn #1 and #35 with New Jersey.  For the Canadiens, #37 is typically a goalie number, with Steve Penny, Thomas Vokoun, Andre Racicot, and Antti Niemi all having worn it.

#8 – Ben Chiarot

Defenceman Ben Chiarot was signed as a free-agent coming from the Winnipeg Jets organization.  Chiarot wore #7 previously with Winnipeg, and that number is retired by the Montreal Canadiens for Howie Morenz.  The #8 is still a popular number with the Canadiens, as it marks the 40th player in the club’s 110th history to wear it, and is only one of two single-digit numbers not retired by the Canadiens, with the other one being #6 (currently worn by Shea Weber).  Popular players who have worn #8 include: Doug Risebrough, Mark Recchi, Mike Komisarek, and Jordie Benn.

#21 – Nick Cousins

A free-agent pickup, Nick Cousins wears #21, a number last worn last season by Nate Thompson, who now wears #21.  Thompson wore #21 in 2018-19 when he came over via a trade.  Notable Canadiens have donned #21 over the years.  Newly elected Hall of Famer Guy Carbonneau, wore #21 during his tenure with the Canadiens (1983-1994).  As did former Captain Brian Gionta (2010-2014).  

#45 – Riley Barber

Riley Barber comes from the Washington Capitals organization.  The number 45 was worn by 10 players in the Habs organization.  Gilbert Dionne wore it longest for parts of four seasons (1991-1995).

#14 – Nick Suzuki

Nick Suzuki made the team as a rookie,  Having come over in the Max Pacioretty deal, Suzuki was handed #14.  Popular Habs that have worn number 14 was Mario Tremblay (1975-1986), and Tomas Plekanec (2008-2019).  

#20 – Cale Fleury

Cale Fleury too made the Canadiens straight out of training camp this season.  In the Canadiens 110 years history, number 20 has been worn by 49 different players.  Pete Mahovlich (1970-1978), and Richard Zednik (2001-2006) have worn it the longest.

#25 – Ryan Poehling

Although Ryan Poehling made his Habs debut at the very last game of the 2018-19 season, when he scored a hat-trick, and the shootout winner, this season Poehling was a mid-season call up.  Famous Habs players to wear Number 25 include Jacques Lemaire (1968-1979), and Vincent Damphousse (1993-1999).

#44 – Nate Thompson

Nate Thompson came in at the trade deadline in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings in a swap of draft picks.  This season Thompson switched to #44, a number he wore with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, and LA Kings.  In Habs’ history, the number was first worn by Stephane Richer, who were it for 12 seasons (1986-1998).

#51 – Gustav Olofsson

Gustav Olofsson, is one of only six Habs players to have worn this number.  Francis Bouillon (2000-2009) wore it the longest.  And David Desharnais (2012-2017) wore it for 5 seasons.

#64 – Otto Leskinen

This obscure number was previously worn by two different players. Jean-Philippe Cote (2006), and Greg Pateryn (2013-2015).

#42 – Lukas Vejdemo

Lukas Vejdemo was selected by the Canadiens in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft.  Swedish born, Vejdemo played a full season with Habs’ AHL affiliate in Laval in 2018-19.  And was a mid-season call up this season 2019-20.  Vejdemo was given #42.  The tenth different player to wear it.  No one other than Alexander Perezhogin, has worn it for more than one season.

#30 – Cayden Primeau

Cayden Primeau appeared in two games thus far in his rookie season before being returned to Laval (AHL).  Although number 30 is usually reserved for a goalie, the number was infamously worn by Chris Nilan for parts of 12 seasons (1980-1992).  But recently only goalies have worn it;  Mathieu Garon (2001-2004), David Aebischer (2006-2007), and Peter Budaj (2012-2014) were the last three players to wear it.

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Le Club de hockey Canadien, or better known to NHL fans as Montreal Canadiens is one of the most legendary teams in NHL history. They compete in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference and were founded in 1909. The Canadiens are the only team that predates NHL’s founding and is the oldest hockey team hailing from Canada.

Their history is more than glorious and richer than any other club in the league. But, they have been struggling in the last few seasons. Although they finished 1^st in 2014/2015 and 2016/2017 in the Atlantic Division, they didn’t go too far in the playoffs. Canadiens lost in the Second Round in 2014/2015, and in the First in 2016/2017. This season has barely started, so let’s check out their odds, as well as the teams that are favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

2019/2010 Favorites

Montreal Canadiens’ odds of winning the Atlantic Division are currently at +2200.They are behind Florida Panthers (+1300), Toronto Maple Leafs (+1200), Tampa Bay Lightning (+750), and Boston Bruins, who are the biggest favorites to win, with odds at -475.The Atlantic Division has the upper hand of winning the Eastern Conference @ -137, as opposed to the Metropolitan Division’s odds of +110.

But, NHL picks and parlays are not just about the winning division and conferences. There are many other bets to choose from. For example, the odds of a Canadian Stanley Cup winner are +333, while the odds of an American Stanley Cup winner are -450.

You can also bet on the winning conference and team. Both the East and West Conference have equal odds of producing the Stanley Cup winner – the odds are -111. Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are the two biggest favorites for the trophy. Bruins’ odds are +850 and Tampa Lightning are currently @ +1100. Elsewhere on the list, the Canadiens’ odds of winning the Stanley Cup are +3500.

Since we got the odds all cleared up, let’s take a small look into the most successful team in NHL history.

Trophies

Let’s start with the obvious and the thing that interests fans the most. Like we mentioned before, the Montreal Canadiens are the most decorated team in NHL history with 24 Stanley Cups. Their most recent one was in the 1992/1993 season. They’ve been Division Champions on 23 occasions, and Conference Champions 8 times. Their most recent achievement was winning the 1^st spot in the Atlantic Division in the 2016/2017 season.

Legendary Players

The Canadiens have retired more numbers than any other team to honor its players. So far, they have 15 retired numbers to honor a total of 18 players. Howie Morenz’s No.7 was the first retired number in 1937, while Guy Lapointe’s No.5 is the most recent – 2014.

To make things even spicier, there are dozens of inducted players in the Hall of Fame that have been affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens at some point. In addition to the players, several builders and broadcasters are part of the Hall of Fame. You can check the full list by following this link.

The Review

The Montreal Canadiens have won the most Stanley Cups with 24.  Looking back at my childhood, I would always count the amount of Cups the Canadiens competed in.  Their first was in 1916.  Although the Canadiens competed for their second Stanley Cup title in 1919, history books tells us:  Montreal Canadiens (NHL) vs. Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA) – Series cancelled after the fifth game because of the flu epidemic – Stanley Cup not awarded.  

But what lead to that decision to cancel the series at the deciding game?  

Steve Chapelle writes a captivating true story, entitled “No Decision” recounting what lead to that pivotal decision.  The book picks up towards the end of the 1919 regular season.  The Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens would compete for the NHL (National Hockey League) Championship.  With the winner playing the winner of the PCHA (Pacific Coast Hockey Association).   Keep in mind, the NHL was only two years old at the time, and the incumbent Stanley Cup winner, the Toronto Arenas, had just announced it would default its last two games of the regular season citing poor attendance.

What I find fascinating about Steve Chappele’s book is how he takes the reader through the journey of what it was like for a newly formed league, with changing rules and regulations on the fly, to legitimize itself (which includes a great history lesson on how the NHL came to be). 

Grapple with the fact that World War I had just ended months prior, and a flu epidemic (that was killing millions world wide) was making its way through North America with tragic consequences.  Proving, there is more to the story  than, “Series cancelled after the fifth game because of the flu epidemic“.

Buy the Book

Steve Chapelle’s Book “No Decision” is available now on Amazon.  And you can download it for free until October 16, 2019.

Mario Perrazzino

GOHABS.com; web site  for Montreal Canadiens Hockey Fans

The Montreal Canadiens 2019 Training Camp opened up on Thursday Sept 12, 2019.

In all, 57 players were invited to camp.  All eyes on Ryan Poehling and Nick Suzuki, two centres vying for a spot.  First on-ice session of camp saw Habs split the team in two squads.

Split Teams

Team A

Forwards

Team B

Injuries

At the start of camp, it was announced that defenceman Gustav Olofsson is out with an upper body innjury he sustained prior to camp. Since them Habs already have a couple of more injuries to report. Karl Alzner is out with lower body injury. And Noah Juulsen, who missed most of last season with an eye injury, is out with upper body injury. 

Training Camp Schedule

Training camp pre-season games begins Monday Sept 16 at the Bell centre vs the New Jersey Devils. Habs play 7 pre-season games. All available on TV and radio.

As per Montreal Gazette:

Monday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m., vs. Devils: TSN2, RDS*
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., vs. Florida Panthers at Bathurst, N.B.: SN1, TVA Sports
Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m., vs. Florida Panthers: TSN2, RDS*
Saturday, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m., at Ottawa Senators: TSN5, RDS*
Monday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: TSN2, RDS**
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at Toronto Maple Leafs: TSN2, RDS**
Saturday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m., vs. Ottawa Senators: TSN5, RDS*
* Only available in Canadiens broadcast region: Quebec, Atlantic Canada and eastern Ontario
** Also available in Maple Leafs broadcast region (Ontario except eastern Ontario) on TSN4
All pre-season matches will also be broadcast on radio on TSN 690 and 98.5 FM in Montreal.

TV Coverage

On the topic of TV coverage, this is Year 5 of the NHL’s 11-year National deal with Rogers Sportsnet. Steve Faguy provides an update for 2019-20, and not much has changed in terms of Montreal Canadiens National coverage. Canadiens will be on national exposure for 32 games (unchanged from last season) and 50 regional games.

In French, TVA Sports has 22 Canadiens games (Saturday nights), and RDS has the remainder 60.

On Sunday Sept 15, the Canadiens held their annual Red vs White scrimmage. Over 15,000 paid $5 to watch the two split squads play. Prior to the game, the players welcomed fans into the Bell Centre.

Rumours

What’s training camp without some rumours and water-cooling talk. At start of Camp , Canadiens made it be known that they made an offer UFA Jake Gardiner. However Gardiner elected to sign with Carolina who offered less money but one-year longer. Factor in taxes, and Gardiner comes out ahead with Carolina. Which leads to discussion once again why it’s difficult to attract Free Agents to come here. Richard Labbé captures it nicely why players don’t sign with Montreal;

Another rumour circulating is that the Dallas Stars’ young defenceman Julius Honka has requested a trade.  Whereby the Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams trying to acquire him.

The @CanadiensMTL are among the teams interested in a trade for @DallasStars defenceman Julius Honka, according to @EricEngels.https://t.co/J5p0I9Yly7

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 14, 2019

It all starts Thursday October 3 as the Canadiens visit Carolina to commence the 2019-20 season. 

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Last season, the Montreal Canadiens finished the season with 96 points, just three points shy of earning the final playoff spot.   Despite coming so close, according to experts, this upcoming season the Canadiens are predicted to earn between 88-89 points.  Try your hand at predicting points totals for the upcoming Canadiens’ season, using Scratchmania bonus coupon to get you started.

Rookie Camp

Preparations for the 2019-20 season begins September 5 with the Montreal Canadiens rookie camp.  The rookie camp runs from Sept 5-10 and this year, 28 players are invited.  The players are recent draft picks, first year pros, and 5 players on tryouts.  The players to keep a watchful eye for are Josh Brook (D), Ryan Poehling (C), who Habs fans saw make his debut in the last game of the 2018-19 when he scored a hat-trick, and the game winning shootout goal.  Nick Suzuki (C) will be attending his second camp with the Canadiens.  And look out for goalie Cayden Primeau.  This 7th round draft pick from 2017 looks to keep impressing both Canadiens coaching staff and fans, after impressive collegiate season.

Rookie Tournament

The rookies will participate in a rookie tournament in Belleville, Ontario competing with rookie teams of the Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets.  Head Coach of the Laval Rocket, Joel Bouchard, and his staff coaching staff will direct the practices and games.

Golf Tournament

On Monday September 9, it’s the Canadiens annual Golf Tournament at Laval-sur-le- Lac.  The event is followed by an evening dinner to benefit the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation.

Pre-Season

On Thursday September 12, all players report to camp for their annual physicals.  The full list of invitees will only be available once the Rookie camp concludes.   The Canadiens will play seven pre-season games.  Their first game is verses the transformed New Jersey Devils on Monday September 16.  The Canadiens main camp runs through September 29. Off-Season acquisitions that will debut for the Canadiens are  Nick Cousins (C), Ben Chiarot (D), Phil Varone (F), Riley Barber (F), and goalie Keith Kinkaid.

Regular Season

The 2019-20 season officially launches on Tuesday October 3rd, as the Montreal Canadiens travel to Carolina to play the Hurricanes.  The Canadiens play three games to start the season including versus Toronto and Buffalo.  The Canadiens then return home to play their home opener on Thursday October 10 against the Detroit Red Wings.   And two nights later, the Canadiens are hosting the defending Stanley Cup Champions St. Louis Blues.  What a way to start the season!

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.

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.

The 2018/19 NHL season is in the rear-view mirror with new Stanley Cup champions crowned at St. Louis Blues captured their first ever Stanley Cup. While they will celebrate through the summer, fans of teams will be debating and plotting the best course of action for their hockey club to take a step forward next season. Last season, the Montreal Canadiens came within a couple of points of the playoffs, turning in a very unexpected showing to claim 96 points.

It has been around seven years of very limited success for the Montreal Canadiens while the front office has pleaded for the fan base to be patient. After last season, fans are excited that their patience is finally about to pay off, but it will all come down to the moves made by general manager Marc Bergevin. With a packed free agency and a lot of depth in the NHL Entry Draft, the Habs could find the pieces needed to bring success back to Centre Bell if they play their cards right.

A big free agency

Arguably the biggest name in this year’s free agency is goaltender Sergei Bobrovksy, but luckily the Habs will be able to stay out of that dogfight as Carey Price has just turned in an excellent 64-start campaign and Charlie Lindgren is looking like a good prospect to have as his back-up. So, Montreal can focus on filling the pressing needs which haven’t been addressed for several years.

Top of the needs list is a top-six center. The Habs have struggled up the middle for years, and while they did draft the top center talent last year with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, more experienced help would go a long way. Montreal has a healthy $11.7 million in cap space with very minor in-team contractual situations to address, meaning that they can pursue almost anyone on the market.

Top of the pile as far as centers go is Matt Duchene, who recently came off of a Lightning-toppling offseason with the Columbus Blue Jackets. After Duchene, the Habs would want to look at the likes of Kevin Hayes – although, the Flyers have traded to have first talks with the center – and perhaps Marcus Johansson.

Even though the hope is that Shea Weber will be back and fully fit for the entirety of next season, the defense is still lacking in quality. But with Erik Karlsson, Tyler Myers, Anton Stralman, Jake Gardiner, Ron Hainsey, and Dan Girardi set to be free agents, there are plenty of opportunities to bolster at the blueline.

Competition in the Atlantic Division is going to be fierce next season, with the Lightning, Bruins, and Maple Leafs contending for the divisional crown as well as the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers looking to be on the cusp of contending in the playoffs. So, the Habs will likely be at long NHL betting odds to find success next season, but acquiring a couple of top free agents in key areas would certainly enhance their chances a great deal.

A deep and exciting draft

Sitting at 15^th overall, the Montreal Canadiens will most likely miss out on all of the projected elite-level talents of the draft, but still have a strong chance of getting a future top-six or top-four skater. The player that most outlets have pegged as a pick for the Habs is 6’4’’, 191lbs beast Raphael Lavoie. Halifax Moosehead’s center is a natural goalscorer and immense presence on the QMJHL ice. But of course, projections and mock drafts tend to go askew when it comes to the NHL Entry Draft, so there’s little telling how the Habs will pick on June 21 and 22.

With a strong young team, perhaps a prospect or two making a claim for a place in the NHL lines, a decent position in a deep draft, and plenty of opportunities in the free agency, this should be a great offseason of progress for the Montreal Canadiens. It’ll be a tight battle for Eastern Conference playoff places next season, but the Habs have the resources right now to make themselves leading wild card contenders.