Aside from using the cliched sports quote from Jim Mora, the Canadiens’ postseason run this year is absurd. Nice. That is resolved. See you everyone in the future year.
Really, what might the team led by Martin St. Louis reasonably hope to accomplish?
The Canadiens were recently projected by The Athletic to have a 0% probability of both missing the playoffs and emerging as a dark horse to go to the championship game. It is reasonable to anticipate a consistent upward trajectory from the team. The supporters should expect improved performance in comparison to the 2023–24 campaign.
For the Habs, the top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Janá Slafkovský proved to be adequate. This does not imply that there isn’t anything to be improved. While he hasn’t yet broken the 30-goal mark in his young career, Caufield can be the scorer who complements Suzuki and Slafkovský’s playmaking awareness.
Slafkovský just agreed to an eight-year contract worth $7.6 million a year. It would be good to see him surpass the 50 point threshold that he attained the previous year. Not to put too much pressure on the young Slovak, but there are expectations for consistent play when you sign a contract as valuable as his.
Regarding Suzuki, To be honest, nothing to notice. The Habs’ front office and fan base will be ecstatic if he produces a fourth consecutive 82-game season with about 77 points.
Over the previous two years, the Canadiens have made a number of important changes to their medical staff, which should help to prevent the numerous ailments that have plagued the team. Despite suffering injuries from a terrible accident, Kirby Dach is expected to play in at least 75% of the regular season by many fans.
Identifying the true six defensemen in the lineup moving forward is the final step. Although the Habs have several alternatives, deciding on the defensive unit in advance would put an end to any conjecture that might arise on online fan forums.
Finally, special teams need immediate attention. The Habs placed 27th in the league with a power play percentage of 17.5% at the end of the previous campaign. Should the Habs manage to increase that ratio to nearly 20 percent in the upcoming season, that would only translate into an extra six goals above the total from the previous year.
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