Revitalizing the Roster
This summer, Kent Hughes, the General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, has been quite busy revitalizing the team’s roster. Significant moves include acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, fulfilling a crucial need after David Savard’s retirement. Instead of relying on the younger Logan Mailloux to step into such a pivotal role, Hughes opted for a seasoned player to bolster his lineup.
Also noteworthy is Hughes’s decision to trade Mailloux for Zachary Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues, a promising 22-year-old forward with the potential for strong offensive contributions.
Key Questions for the Upcoming Season
As the Canadiens prepare for the upcoming season, a key question lingers: who will join Ivan Demidov on the second line? With many teams pursuing a top-six center, the Canadiens appear to be leaning towards filling that gap from within. While Kirby Dach seems the most likely candidate for this position, Grant McCagg from The Sick Podcast offers another intriguing possibility—Oliver Kapanen.
Kapanen showed promise last season but arrived at training camp with some early advantages, having competed with Timra IK in the Swedish league. However, as training camp progressed, the competition intensified, and Kapanen’s initial edge diminished. After securing a roster spot, he played just 12 games before being reassigned to Sweden due to contractual obligations with Timra, leaving fans to wonder if he is now prepared for a consistent role in the NHL, especially alongside a player like Demidov, who has high expectations as he begins his professional career.
Development and Expectations
Kapanen’s development under Timra’s coach Olli Jokinen, who focused on providing ample ice time and varied game situations, will be critical in determining his readiness to step up in the Canadiens’ lineup. Alongside him, Bolduc’s addition could provide the scoring touch that the team seeks; he recorded 36 points in 72 games last season, bolstered by solid power play time. Yet, questions remain about his readiness to adapt to increased minutes in a more competitive environment.
Coaching Adjustments and Future Prospects
Martin St-Louis, the Canadiens’ head coach, is expected to make substantial adjustments this preseason due to key departures, notably Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia. As for the triplet of Dach, Laine, and Newhook, McCagg points out that although they previously played together without much chemistry, swapping out Juraj Slafkovsky for Newhook may lead to a more dynamic offensive presence by addressing the speed deficit.
Newhook has proven adept at zone entries, but his ability to maintain offensive pressure remains uncertain. With both Dach and Laine playing for contract extensions, their performance could significantly affect their futures, particularly Laine’s, who seeks to rejuvenate his career after a challenging stint with the Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets. Only time will tell if he can elevate his game to match his contract year aspirations, especially with the added depth in the Canadiens’ forward lines.
