The Montreal Canadiens may not be Stanley Cup favorites yet, but it is impossible to deny that they have taken an important step forward this season. In the midst of a relatively quiet summer for most teams in the Atlantic Division, the Canadiens were aggressive, strategic and efficient. From smart acquisitions to internal progression and improved health, everything indicates that Montreal is the most improved team in their division.
Outsource out of season
When assessing improvement, you look at schedule changes for the first time and the low season of Montreal stands out. General Manager Kent Hughes made waves by acquiring two important pieces through Trade: Vooruit Zachary Bolduc and defender Noah Dobson. Both are young, impactful players who fit the competitive window of the Canadiens. Dobson, a right-shot top-four defender, offers Puck-moving capacity, Power-Play experience and a proven NHL-track record. Bolduc, a 22-year-old with offensive advantage, adds scoring depth and can play in different roles in the Middle Salt.
In Net, the signing of Kaapo Kähkönen Gives Montreal an experienced back -up and veteran competition for Jakub Dobeš. This addition with a low risk brings insurance and stability to a position that has not had consistency for years.
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The Canadiens also added Samuel Blais and Joe many for depth, movements that may have flown under the radar, but can play an important role in the course of a debilitating 82 game season. Both players offer flexibility, grit and bottom-six experience.
Just as important as those who came in, who left: Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia and Emil Heineman. All of the depths, with Armia and Dvorak were often seen as pieces of the penalty killing. Their departure open places for younger talent without hurting the current core of the team.
Yes, the Habs exchanged two picks in the first round and Logan Mailloux, but those are future assets. The return is talent that can help at the moment, and this was a calculated and necessary step forward.
Internal additions
Sometimes the biggest improvements come from within. Last season the Canadiens treated a series of brutal injuries that seriously influenced their performance and depth. This season, the return of important players, completely healthy, can be just as important as any signing out of season.
Patrik Line missed the first half of the season and Kirby Dach missed the second half. When both were healthy, they showed the potential to be top-six-pillars. Laine is still a former scorer of 40 goals that can change a game with one shot. A full season next to a playmaker like Ivan Demidov or a shooter like Cole Caufield could revive his production.
Dach is a fundamental piece. His absence last season left a big hole in the middle, which disrupted the chemistry and the options of Montreal in the middle was limited. The Habs gives his return a much needed presence behind Nick Suzuki.
Kaiden also missed a lot of time with an injury. When he is healthy, he is one of the best defensive defenders of Montreal. Having him in the set -up consistently strengthens the left, especially with the addition of Dobson to balance the pairs on the right.
In short, just returning Laine, Dach and Guhle for full seasons should be considered as the acquisition of three players at top level without having to give up anything.
Progression of a young core
One of the most overlooked aspects of team improvement is natural development. The Canadiens have one of the youngest and most talented cores in the NHL, and most of those players are just scratching the surface of their potential.
Juraj Slafkovsky has taken huge steps over the past two seasons and will only be 21 this season. His physical tools, improved skates and better decision-making suggest that he is ready to be a consistent top-six-contribution.
Lane Hutson, a dynamic defender, starts his second NHL season at 21. With his offensive instincts and power play skills, he remains a pillar on defense. Demidov, only 19, joins the team as one of the most expected HABS front views in decades. His elite vision, creativity and offensive benefit could make him a Calder Trophy candidate.
Compare this with other Atlantic teams, such as the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning or Boston Bruins, and the contrast is clear. Those teams rely on aging cores with most of their best players past 30 years. Their windows are now. The Canadiens window has just opened.
With another year of growth, chemistry and experience under their belt, the young players of the Canadiens should only get better, and that makes them more dangerous.
Atlantic rivals stand still
Finally, improvement is relative. To really say that Montreal is the most improved, we must look at what their division divals did or have not done.
The Panthers come from a cup win and kept their core intact, but they did not get considerably better. Their additions were minimal and they will now navigate due to the fatigue of a long play -off run. Tampa Bay made a few small movements, but nothing varied.
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost Mitch Marner, perhaps their second best player, and still have to replace him enough. That is a huge hit for their attack. The Detroit Red Wings added John Gibson, which could help stabilize their goalkeeper, but their other movements were limited.
The senators of Ottawa added depth but not top talent. The Buffalo Sabres actually lost JJ Peterka, a young player who showed promise, without a clear path to replace his production. The Boston Bruins signed a few veterans, but nothing similar to the additions of Montreal in terms of upward and long -term fit.
In short, none of these teams did more than the HABs to improve their selection for this season and then. The Canadiens did not add alone; They added smartly, focused on their needs and did this without dismantling their future.
The progress of the Canadiens cannot be denied. Between impactful additions outside of season, the return of important injured players, the natural growth of their young core and the relatively stagnant movements of their rivals division, Montreal is able to surprise many people this season.
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