![]() ![]() If injuries are less of a concern, Anderson shouldn’t need to spend a season building chemistry with a rotating parade of linemates, and a slight increase from 21 to 24 goals isn’t unreasonable.īrendan Gallagher scored eight goals in 38 games, putting him on pace for 18 goals last season. His 21 goals in 69 games put him on a 24-goal pace over 82 games. Josh Anderson has proven that his shoulder injury is not an issue. He scored 14 goals in 58 games, putting him on pace to score 22, and he should be expected to take another step forward in 2023-24. Next is Dach, who missed significant time as well. He may end up scoring 40, but 35 is a more reasonable expectation, as he is still reliant on his centers to generate some of his scoring opportunities. Louis should allow him to reach at least 35 goals. Even if he misses time and only plays around 70 games, his scoring rate under St. He has been a prolific scorer at every level, and the pace at which he scores in the NHL points to that trend continuing. However, he was on pace to score 48 over a full season. But the experience they gain is a necessary step in their development.Īlex Newhook, Colorado Avalanche ( Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)Ĭole Caufield missed 36 games last season, which limited him to 26 goals. With the same young and inexperienced defence expected to return, it’s unlikely they will significantly improve statistically. How much will they improve over last season? In 2022-23, the Habs finished 29 th in the NHL with 305 goals against (GA), for an average goals against per game (GA/G) of 3.72. That alone will be a jump forward and could be achieved by the roster remaining healthy. However, the team should compete for a playoff spot, even if they spend the season with it just out of reach. That is too much to expect from a team in its second full season of a rebuild. What can we reasonably expect from the 2023-24 edition of the Canadiens? Are they a playoff team? No. ![]() There is still more addition by subtraction required from Hughes – like moving Mike Hoffman – to create space for younger players to make their way up to the NHL, players such as Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Jesse Ylonen. While the team benefited from his leadership and experience, his departure provides opportunities for the young, up-and-coming blueliners and should improve the team’s overall defence as his possession stats – his Corsi for (CF%) of 35.7% – points to a defender who was often trapped in his own zone and has lost a step. But thanks to his injury history, his ability to play at that level is likely long gone. The 29-year-old defenseman was a significant part of the blue line and helped the Canadiens reach the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. Jonathan Drouin, Montreal Canadiens ( Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)Īnother win for Montreal was trading Joel Edmundson. The Habs paid full value to the Colorado Avalanche for Newhook, and at that price, we can expect him to take the next step in his development, just as Kirby Dach did last season. While unfortunate that it never worked out for Jonathan Drouin in Montreal, his departure will be mutually beneficial and create an opening for a younger forward, like Alex Newhook, to compete for a top-six role. Last season, the team carried excess veterans who are now on the downside of their careers. Using the roster that is expected to play in the NHL next season and their rates of production when healthy, here’s a look at what could be a reasonable prediction for the team’s offence in 2023-24. Fewer injuries this season alone would be a significant upgrade over last season. Because of that, 38 different players dressed for at least one game – 14 of which were rookies, including five defensemen. This included half a dozen season-ending injuries. In 2022-23, the Canadiens led the NHL in man-games lost to injury with 657 games. ![]() Related: Laval Rocket New Players Bring Youth & Excitement Last season, the team had minimal improvement in the standings but saw significant improvement on the ice, establishing an entertaining style while remaining competitive in most games. The 2023-24 season will be important for the Montreal Canadiens as general manager (GM) Kent Hughes continues his rebuild plan. ![]()
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