Twenty-two games into the 2024-25 season, the Montreal Canadiens rank 29th in the league with only eight wins. Heading into the year it was expected that the Canadiens would take a step forward. This has not been the case however as the team has struggled to begin the year. Let’s take a look at what we have learned so far from the Montreal Canadiens season.
Montreal Canadiens Review
The good, the bad, and the ugly
The good
On a positive note for the Canadiens, they have a couple of rookies who have impressed so far. Lane Hutson has been a revelation offensively from the backend. He has chipped in twelve helpers and remains firmly in the Calder trophy conversation. Emil Heineman has also cemented himself as a solid bottom-six option for the club. Also worth noting, Cole Caufield has scored 13 goals thus far putting him on pace for nearly 50 this season.
The bad
Goaltending has been a real issue for the Montreal Canadiens so far this season. In a year where Montembeault and Primeau were supposed to solidify their positions on the team, they have only raised more question marks. Montembeault after a hot start to the year, went ice cold for a few weeks before settling down over the past few games. Primeau on the other hand has been terrible and doesn’t look like he will ever be a reliable NHL option moving forward. Neither has a save percentage above .900 or a GAA under 3.00.
The Ugly
Kirby Dach‘s play this year has by far been the biggest sore spot for Canadiens fans this season. The forward is coming off a season-ending injury so some rust was to be expected. However, Dach has looked like a shell of his former self. Not only is he not producing, but he isn’t playing well on either end of the puck. Dach routinely loses puck battles, shies away from physicality, and looks lackluster in his end. Offensively he is a victim of trying to do too much on his own and just seems a step behind the play.
Martin St. Louis On the Hot Seat
One big topic of discussion thus far has been Martin St. Louis. The Canadiens are in a rebuild so losing is to be expected but it’s how the Canadiens are losing that has been the issue. The team has seemingly lost any semblance of structure defensively that they had last year. The powerplay hasn’t been great for the most part and the decision to keep Hutson off of unit one remains a head-scratcher by St. Louis.
In a year of development, it seems that most of the Habs youngsters who are expected to be a part of the core have struggled or regressed. Slafkovsky, Roy, Xhekaj, Barron, Struble, and Dach have all taken a step back. Development of their players should be the team’s main focus and if Martin St. Louis can’t get those results he will be on the hot seat.
Canadiens Need Another Top Draft Pick
One thing that has been made clear so far is that this team needs another top draft pick. The return of Patrik Laine, and inserting Ivan Demidov into the lineup next year will help spark the offense. However, another top prospect or two might be necessary. Michael Hage is an intriguing prospect down the middle but if Kirby Dach can’t be a top-six option for the team, there is still a hole in the future roster. A top forward in this year’s draft like Porter Martone, James Hagens, or Michael Misa will help remedy that.
On the other end, the team could also use another right-shot defenceman. David Reinbacher’s injury leaves some concern and Logan Mailloux still needs to round out his defensive game. Kaiden Guhle has been used on the right side but is better off on the left. As for Justin Barron, he may not be a part of this team’s future as his development hasn’t progressed. David Savard also won’t be a part of the future as his contract expires this year. They could also add top defenceman Matthew Schaefer in this draft. Schaefer is a left shot but he plays the right side typically. He is a candidate to be the top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Main Photo: John Jones-Imagn Images
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