Are the Montreal Canadiens poised for a breakthrough season? The Atlantic Division’s landscape is shifting, and the Habs’ young core could be ready to make waves.
Experts Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert join to dissect the Canadiens’ outlook, focusing on rising stars Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. They analyze the team’s glaring need at second-line center and debate potential solutions, from pipe dreams like Sidney Crosby to more realistic targets. The conversation explores how Montreal stacks up against division rivals, with particular attention to the Ottawa Senators’ trajectory.
Discover why this might be the most promising Canadiens squad since their 2014 conference finals run. Tune in for insider perspectives on the Habs’ path back to contention and the patience required for their rebuild to bear fruit.
0:00 Intro: Montreal Canadiens offseason preview
5:53 Canadiens’ playoff experience and young core
11:16 Filling the second-line center hole
16:52 Realistic trade targets for Montreal
26:31 Canadiens’ playoff chances in tough division
30:55 Best Canadiens team since 2014?
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25 Comments
They have their 2C, it's Michael Hage. Look at what Dale Hunter said about Hage's game during the Summer showcase. He projects to be the exact type of center MTL needs. So the Habs need a stop gap until Hage is ready in 2 years.
I betcha they could get Kadri from Calgary i think he'd be great. They might be losing Andersson in Calgary so I bet we could take Kadri for Matheson and a pick. Which i say would make Mtl better
The return for Crosby wouldnt be that big as you said Crosby is going to play where Crosby wants to play.
There are two sets of measures by which the Habs will be measured this year: those of the team’s management those of the fans. The fans will be disappointed since they’re blinded by desperation and legitimately hopeful. Team management will not be disappointed since they know full well this is still a deeply flawed team.
Honestly after watching Bolduc and Suzuki practicing faceoffs together I thunk Bolduc could potentially see some time there if Dach doesn't work out
With so many teams being competitive now across the league in think they should rework the playoff format. Specifically the wildcard. The bottoms teams should have a round Robin play in for the final wildcard spot. Be good for the whole league if they did that
Theyd of definitely beat L.A they were 4-0 that season against them
Too many teams for the playoff format they use. I mean, no matter what team your on…when you lace your skates for the season opener…you have a 50/50 chance of making the playoffs. Sixteen teams are needed…no matter the points…there will be, and always is, a large spread between the top teams and bottom teams…still they get a chance at the cup. Should only be the top ten teams make the playoffs…then go from there. Teams and players would try harder the first half of the season. The NBA has 30 teams…and 12 make the playoffs, same for the MLB.
Everybody going on about Hage! 2 years away is too long! Demidov needs that guy now! Our lineup is good without Reinbacher so adding a guy like Mctavish and not really subtracting makes us better! You have to give to get! He’s the missing piece! Make the trade Hughes!
First playoff games in years and years and years? Lol They went to the finals 4 years ago.
Maple LEAFS will finish in the TOP 2 in the standings and Playoffs i will put $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ on it right now …Boston and Montreal will NOT make the Playoffs this season 2025-26
Unless Pittsburg settles for draft picks and Monty/Lainey
If Crosby gets traded, they will trade him to where ever he wants to go, so the return wouldn't be astronomical
You folks are {"FORGETTING"} that the Habs management stated on {"RECORD"} that they are building the team to be contenders year after year. To get Crosby & {"EMPTY THE FARM"} changes the management's plans & promise to their fans & that will be mutiny in Montreal.
If they can get past the first round, maybe in like 5-7 games, that's all these kids need in terms of experience, for now. Get further? Great! Don't make the playoffs… I think the holes will have to seriously get patched up, and maybe 2026 will be a better off-season. Regardless of all that, I'm hyped for this season!
1:45 Cam stuart:
About the off season when it's 2 weeks until
fall. WTF are you on and where do I buy some. LoL
Seriously, there's a lot of nuance and seriously bad inside jokes and tangents here. Pretty boring. Remember, you're speaking to an international audience. Local jokes and things need to be explained or not discussed.
And funny enough, I've been following the NHL since the late 1980s, I've never rated the Habs, other than their 1993 win, as far as I've seen (as an American) they really have never been all that great (with a couple of exceptions of course).
Yes the Habs need a 2C but they do not need one THIS season (at least pre trade deadline). They made the post season last year with the youngest team ever to do so and we added Dobson and Bolduc this off season. Throw in Demidov and the expected progress of all the young players and I believe they are playoff bound without getting that 2C just yet. The Habs will probably be unloading Price's contract but I hope they keep that in the bank and give the young guns a chance to step up and see what shakes out. Dach has a horrible injury history and there is nothing says it wont happen again, but if he does stay healthy and plays with Demidov and Laine that could be a (going to use a term my friends in Boston often use) "wicked good" second line. We have until the deadline to see what shakes loose. They still have some "fans grace period" during this rebuild and need to use it to see who stays and who goes next year when we get a lot of cap space back. Great show everyone!
I NEED SOME HOCKEY NOW!
Crosby is NOT Moving stop the click bait
If Crosby says he wants to specifically go to one team, why would the return be astronomical? The penguins will have no leverage and I doubt a team is emptying the farm for 2 years of 37 year old Crosby, as good as he is
As A Habs fan Im gonna agree definitely best team since 2014. I seriously believe that not for Krieder injuring Price we would have made the finals and at least put up one heck of a battle against L.A.
Small comment …Tyler is more robotic and Cam is more fluid. But thanks for the info and banter.
can Habs get Sydney Crosby? for 3 years contract? now that the salary cap is improved with Carey Price contract traded? or is the price to high for the Habs rebuild plans?
If you add Demidov, Bolduc and Dobson they score more goals and more goals translate to more wins. I don't think they'll win the cup so soon but I'd be surprised if they miss the playoffs.