Have the Montreal Canadiens defense rankings been judged completely wrong? In this episode, Coach takes a deep dive into the Habs blue line and provides the analysis every Canadiens fan and NHL fan needs to hear. With players like Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Noah Dobson, and rising prospect David Reinbacher, the Canadiens’ defense is a mix of veterans, young stars, and future cornerstones. But are analysts and rankings across the NHL giving this group the respect they deserve?
We’ll break down each defenseman’s strengths, weaknesses, and role heading into the 2024-25 season, while comparing the Canadiens’ defensive core to other NHL teams. Is Kaiden Guhle already a legitimate top-pair defenseman? Can Mike Matheson carry the load as the leader on the back end? Will Xhekaj’s physical play and Reinbacher’s development push the Habs’ defense into a new tier?
If you’re a Montreal Canadiens fan, Habs Nation supporter, or just love NHL debates, this video is for you. Join the discussion and let us know if you think the Canadiens’ defense has been ranked too low, underrated, or fairly judged.
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20 Comments
I think they will be better coach … I predict they will have a better understanding of the hybrid defence system they were playing last year… and their defence should have more mobility with the younger squad…
I see the Habs dmen ranked between 8-10. So I agree with your evaluation. Add Reinbacher and move on from an aging Matheson will improve the give away numbers as well. As much as I like Matheson he is now surpassed for his role. Hutson and Dobson will take care of the office and Guhle & Reinbacher will handle the physicality along with Xhekaj.
Maximize you ur return for Matheson now.
I agree with you. I would say 10th.
Toronto doesn't have one defenseman that can run a power play …… and if you say Morgan Riley I know, you don't watch the leafs…… His game has fallen off a cliff
Coach a quick question: is this ranking potential or actual Defensive strength!?
Regardless the Laffs should be at the tail end of tier III or top end of tier IV!
Regardless it’s TSN the house organ MLSE.
Lastly, I know you won’t like this but Reinbacher isn’t yet tough enough for the NHL!
#delseysoft
I think they have to prove it. I love the players we have but alot of times last year they were standing around watching while the puck went in our net and giving away the puck. I'd put them at 15th until we see what they can do
I hope Struble gets more opportunity with Hutson. If he improves and compliments it sure clarifies some big issues. Creates a problem,as well. Who gets moved?
id much rather our defense than the make beleafs. seems pretty obvious from here.
You need to clarify what you're discussing here, you seem to be confusing two different things:
(1) Defensive PLAY
(2) Defensemen
Defensive PLAY is across the entire team. Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans, for instance, contribute a great deal to the defensive play of the Canadiens.
Defensemen, as a position, however? Is also rated by offense. And let's face it, offense also helps your defense. If Lane Hutson has the puck in the opponent's end, they can't score on Montreal, because you can't score from your own end. So when you're rating the defense corps as a position, you're rating the player's total talent level, not just their "defensive play." Defensive play isn't entirely separate from offensive play, anyway.
For defensive play, I'd say Montreal is probably sitting around 10th, as you suggest. But that isn't only about Hutson, Ghule, Dobson, Carrier, Xhekaj, Struble, and Reinbacker. That's also about Suzuki, Slaf, Evans, Gallagher, and wherever Demidov ends up fitting into this.
But if you want to rate the defense corps as a position, then you have to include their total skill levels, including puck carrying, shot, passing, etc.
And honestly, with Hutson, Dobson, Matheson, and Ghule as your top 4, that's top 5 in the league.
How is Ottawa or Edmonton’s better than Habs
Both have 2-3 good D but the rest are dog shit
GHG
Montreal defence still poor,…look at the metrics. Habs expected to get better., but that still keystone cops in own end.
Alexander Romanov and Tony D'Angelo we're both excellent for long island last year…… Patrick Roy really likes tony d'angelo….. especially on the first power play unit he looked really good
Not sure that I care about anyone's rankings. What I care about is whether or not the team can make a stronger push for the Cup than last year, as they move toward winning a Cup at some point. Let all the people say what they want, their rankings simply don't matter if they win (and if not, can figure out what is wrong am make an adjustment). In short, this "analysis" (if you will, more like complaining) is boring to me, as opposed to the ones where you breakdown what the players actually do on the ice. I learned nothing about hockey from it, only about hockey pundits and their nonsense.
I think they're in the 8-12 range on paper. But depending on what happens I don't think 5 is impossible, just not very likely.
I think Lane Hutson will be dominant.
Does not matter Amy thing you said about Habs as the coaching for the Habs is not a strong coaching staff for team defense or team toughness
It’s TSN that’s why! Toronto based and Toronto biased!
The reason Toronto is ranked above Montreal on defence by TSN is because the Toronto Sports Network want to keep their fanbase engaged. They are also trying to sell the notion that they somehow got better after losing Marner. The real question: how far will the Leafs fall?
I think the Canadiens are in the top quarter of the league right now. Top 5? Maybe; margins are thin at this level. But they have top end talent, 3 players that can run a power play, and a lot of depth; that's a pretty good combination, one that few teams possess. Everything changed when Carrier was added and everyone "found their right chair". A lot of their most egregious numbers came in the first two months last year, but improved as the year went on.
Wait till Reinbacher makes the club. He's a stud on his own end and is not that bad with his offense. He doesn't have to be when Hutson and Dobson are there in the lineup.
i made the exercise and i have them in 6th place in The NHL