As far as rebuilding teams go, the Montreal Canadiens had an ideal outcome. Lane Hutson won rookie of the year. Ivan Demidov looks like the real deal. Younger players are coming into their roles and the team’s identity is slowly coming together. They even added Noah Dobson to the core to help solidify the team’s already eye-catching defense.
But any good season can become even better with some improvement.
The Canadiens have shown they’re capable of making the playoffs. In order to take it to the next level, however, the depth has to show up. Two candidates in particular fit this bill. Both are poised for big seasons next year.
Patrik Laine is Ready to Take His Next Step
The Canadiens are Laine’s third team in his NHL career. He reached career highs with the Winnipeg Jets in his sophomore year with 44 goals and 26 assists for 70 points in 82 games. He hasn’t been able to reach that level with both the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Canadiens, but appears to have found a good niche for himself in Montreal.
Laine scored 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 52 games last season. 15 of his 20 goals came on the power play, and, without them, the Canadiens wouldn’t have made the playoffs. Durability is a concern for Laine, who hasn’t played a full NHL season since 2018-19.
If Laine can avoid injury – and if he can stay consistent – he’ll be a great fit on Montreal’s top-six. Having said that, trade rumors are abound with Laine. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, however, isn’t so sure.
“I think probably pretty unlikely at this point,” Seravalli said. “let’s see how the season starts, let’s see what kind of productivity level he finds.”
Daily Faceoff has Laine penciled in on the third line alongside Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen. Whether or not he moves up the lineup remains to be seen.
Canadiens Need Big Year from Kirby Dach
Kirby Dach missed the remainder of last season after sustaining a knee injury in February. In the three years since joining the Canadiens, Dach, 24, has yet to play a full NHL season. Last year, he managed just 1o goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 57 games. Executive vice president Jeff Gorton said that this upcoming season is going to be pivotal in determining what Dach’s role for the team looks like moving forward.
“Obviously, he’s had two really tough years and two tough injuries here,” Gorton said. “We’re going to have to see how he responds this summer to the rehab and going through this again. But there’s certainly a place for him in our lineup. It’s going to be up to him where that’s going to be. He has size, he’s competitive, he’s got skill, he’s a very talented player.
“We saw last year, last season, a slow start coming back from that (injury) particularly in his skating, and he’d be the first to tell you that. “I think a lot, unfortunately, is going to be what kind of summer he has and what kind of start he has to camp,” Gorton added. “He’s going to need a big camp to get himself going and get started early.”
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