The Canadiens have already won more games than they did all of last season and have remained in the mix for a playoff spot. While the team has improved, who is the most improved player?
That’s the question answered on this Hockey Inside/Out Bonus episode as The Gazette’s Stu Cowan is joined by former Canadiens teammates and 1986 Stanley Cup champions Chris Nilan and Rick Green.
20 Comments
How about Cole Caufield? Cole with the puck is the same as ever but Cole away from the puck is on another level. I'm liking "nasty" Cole a lot. He's no Slaf but man, he's surprised a lot of guys this year.
Dobes is the easy answer, followed by Evans who had a career year, Heineman who won his spot in the lineup and finally Gallagher, who expected 15+ goals from him at this point of his career ?
Slafkoski I see as also improving
Someone please get Mr. Green a lapel mic
Struble. He’s playing fantastic.
Struble. He’s playing fantastic.
Stick boy!! The rest suck!!
I love to see Anderson getting some props. This guy’s game has really evolved. Everything you need in that role with skill to go with it. You need guys like him to win in the playoffs.
Slafkoski now uses his size, finds his linemates faster, and has a better sense of the game. The time investment has been worth it.
Caufield and not for his goal scoring.
As always. Great stuff guys. Super excitement. Ghg!
As always – great insights coming from three people who know the game, the team, the personnel, and the market.
Habs are playing hard & as a team that’s why they are playing so good right now.
Gotta say Slav.
4 months ago everybody wanted to trade him.
But that's Habs bipolar syndrome
Like those old Habs players who skated with Chris Nilan, I’m damned glad he’s on our side. 😊
Anderson and Gally amazing turnaround vs last yr
Anderson has improved display. Gallagher is useless. Slow dumb. Hopefully somehow he can be traded or bought out
Caufield for me by far. Also Anderson and Evans. Imo our defence is struggling except for Hutson (and Guhle).
I regret to say this, but we are a better team without Dach in the lineup. Hopefully we can find the permanent 2C but in the meantime, I’m watching the emergence of Newhook. He seems to be enjoying playing center.
3improvement factors: Dobes’s goal tending, Anderson thrashing Trouba. The commitment by management to give them all a shot. Suzuki may have had a meeting to push that, but many of these players have upped their game since not trading folks at the deadline. Their will be big charges in the summer though. 11’s goalie interference on 15’s called-back-goal was the sign. On-ice focused-energy and intelligence will be a factor going forward. They should trade 11, 28, 55, 58, 89, before the draft, for some picks, gain by subtraction, and sign Armia. Next year the focus will be a productive second line center, test Dach on the wing, and developing Hage, Demidov and Reinbacher. Trade a package for Mason McTavish.