My question is about the defence. I would assume the locks are Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle and David Savard. Who of Arber Xhekaj, Lane Hutson, Justin Barron, Adam Engstrom and Jayden Struble have shown enough in pre-season to earn the remaining three or four spots if they decide to carry seven defencemen during the season.
thenumbersguy on X (@numbersguy130)
Guhle told reporters Friday in Mont-Tremblant he will be ready to start the season after having his appendix removed the day before training camp started, which is very good news for the Canadiens. I believe you can add Hutson as a lock to start the season, along with Matheson, Guhle and Savard. Barron would have to clear waivers before he could be sent down to the AHL’s Laval Rocket, so I expect the Canadiens will keep him — just like they kept goalie Cayden Primeau last season for the same reason. I think the seven defencemen to start the season could be Matheson, Guhle, Savard, Hutson, Xhekaj, Logan Mailloux and Barron. Struble could be the odd man out because of the waiver situation with Barron and the fact the Canadiens will want to see what Mailloux can do at the NHL level. They already know what Struble can and can’t do. I also think the Canadiens need Xhekaj’s physical presence in the lineup.
Last season, the Habs were simply awful in the second half of back-to-back games. That’s a lot of points squandered. Is there any strategy being developed for the coming season that will address those challenges?
Dennis Lanthier on X (@dennis_lanthier)
I think the reason the Canadiens struggled in back-to-back games is because they are such a young team and many players are still adjusting to the rigours of an 82-game NHL season — including the difficult back-to-back games. With another year of experience under their belts, I believe the Habs will be better in back-to-back games this season. The question is how much better?
Who is your pick for breakout player on offence and breakout player on defence for the coming season?
Canadiens Pulse on X (@CanadiensPP)
The answer on defence is pretty simple: Hutson. It will also be interesting to see what Mailloux can do if he does, indeed, make the team. On offence, I think the breakout player could be Joshua Roy. He has great hockey sense and offensive skills and should also get some power-play time. Head coach Martin St. Louis likes the way Roy plays the game and will give him every opportunity to succeed.
In your opinion, where do the Habs slot this season in the Atlantic Division? And is this a playoff hopeful season for Montreal?
Ed Helinski
I didn’t think the Canadiens were good enough to make the playoffs this season, even with Patrik Laine in the lineup. Now with Laine out for 2-3 months with a sprained knee, their chances are much slimmer.
The fact the Canadiens play in the tough Atlantic Division doesn’t help. I can’t see them finishing ahead of the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning or Detroit Red Wings. They will be in a battle with the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres to stay out of the Atlantic Division basement for the fourth straight season. I think the Canadiens are at least one more year away from being a legitimate playoff contender.
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