NHL Power Rankings
In the latest power rankings from NHL.com, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves positioned at 14th, slightly ahead of other teams such as the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers, who are ranked 15th and 16th respectively. This placement marks an improvement from The Hockey News‘s previous ranking.
Team Outlook
Journalist Jean-Francois Chaumont notes that the Canadiens have completed their rebuilding phase and are now setting their sights on making a strong bid for the playoffs this season, with new additions to the roster anticipated to play pivotal roles in achieving that objective.
Player Highlights
The Canadiens have demonstrated resilience during their preseason play, despite experiencing one uninspired performance. Among the most notable players is Ivan Demidov, a young Russian forward who has consistently impressed throughout scrimmages. His agility allows him to create opportunities, often executing challenging passes that baffle defenses. His contribution is expected to bolster the team’s effectiveness during power plays.
Zack Bolduc has also generated excitement with his swift skating and defensive efforts, aligning with Coach Martin St-Louis‘s vision for an energetic two-way player. After dedicating time to enhance his defensive skills last season, Bolduc appears to be finding his footing in the lineup. Unfortunately, Noah Dobson had to exit one of the preseason games early due to a minor groin injury, but it appears he may be fit for the final preseason matchup.
Emerging Talents
Additionally, young talents like Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, and Florian Xhekaj have shown promise throughout training camp. Kapanen is likely to secure a starting position, while Beck and Xhekaj could quickly find themselves called up if required due to injuries, particularly given how Beck’s offensive skills have edged out Kapanen in some aspects. Coach St-Louis has praised Beck for his mature playing style, while Xhekaj’s physicality may eventually provide the Canadiens with grit reminiscent of Tom Wilson from the Washington Capitals, an asset that will be vital after their tough playoff experiences.
Defensive Development
On the defense, Adam Engstrom has exhibited potential but will likely need further development before becoming a mainstay on the roster, particularly as injuries to Dobson and Kaiden Guhle created opportunities for him to shine in camp. Meanwhile, David Reinbacher’s second training camp did not end as favorably as hoped due to a minor injury sustained against the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he is sidelined, the injury is significantly less severe than one he faced last season, and he is expected to return in about four weeks. Nonetheless, there remains room for improvement in his decision-making speed during games.
Conclusion
All in all, the Montreal Canadiens’ preparation leading up to the season opener on October 8 has been positive enough to earn them a place in the NHL’s Super 16 rankings, a testament to St-Louis’s emphasis on a rigorous training camp. Fans can keep up with the latest news and developments surrounding the team through their various social media channels, including X and Threads, as well as The Hockey News’ Canadiens page.
