The next season of the Montreal Canadiens, in my eyes, promises to be interesting. Very interesting, even. I explain.
The team has been completely revamped by Kent Hughes since being hired as general manager of training. We saw big names leave in Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Petry, and Ben Chiarot in order to make room for the young people and the future of the team.
We can therefore expect that the formation of the Canadian will not be too experienced at the start of the next season and that is correct. We seem to have entered a mini phase of reconstruction, which was probably inevitable considering the fact that the pillars of the team cannot give as much as before.
Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, of course, will find themselves at the heart of the Montreal attack. We expect great things from them, after what they showed us at the end of last season under the era of Martin St-Louis.
But two other names are also talking about in town, those of Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovský. The latter, drafted first in the last draft, could start the year in Montreal because of his imposing size and his physical assets. Dach, on the other hand, was acquired in the exchange sending Alexander Romanov to New York and piques the curiosity of most supporters/experts.
What could we expect from this quartet in 2022-2023? That’s exactly the question that NHL.com asked itself when playing the game of projections for the next year.
Here, without further ado, are the predictions for the players named above:
- Nick Suzuki, 60 points
- Cole Caufield, 55 points
- Kirby Dach, 42 points
- Juraj Slafkovský, 45 points
We’re providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of the 32 NHL teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8.
Today: @CanadiensMTL https://t.co/RMnMB3qsQG
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 23, 2022
The Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki screenings seem legit to me. Suzuki broke the 60-point mark for the first time in his young career last year, and Caufield began producing at a breakneck pace when St. Louis was signed to the team. I wouldn’t be surprised if they exceeded their respective totals, though.
Let’s talk a bit about the other two cases.
Before even having played a game in the NHL, Juraj Slafkovský has been attracting attention for a while now and will continue to be talked about in the next season. No secret for anyone at this level.
Some believe he is already set to make the jump to the best hockey league in the world, including Marian Hossa…while others would like to see the Canadian be more patient with him.
Personally, if all goes well in his case… I see him getting 35 points next year if he plays a full season in Montreal. Let’s not get scared off with his stats, though. The Canadian is likely to experience more difficult moments in 22-23 and we should not expect him to be the one leading the charge night after night.
Although I could be wrong.
Dach will try to play a third full season in the NHL, after missing more than half of the shortened season (56 games) in 20-21. Last year, in a very difficult season in Chicago, Dach had a total of 26 points (nine goals) in 70 games. A projection of more than 40 points seems adequate… if he is able to find his niche in Montreal.
Of course, this all depends on several circumstances. Linemates, playing time (both at even strength and on the power play) and possible injuries come into play.
In any case, if you told me today that these two young people would obtain more than 40 points next year, I would tend to get excited a bit. It remains to be seen what their respective productions will be… and what they can bring to the team.
A lot of
– Not worse.
What about your day?
Bin, the Prime Minister quoted my tweet! #Brag #JaiLdoua pic.twitter.com/JffHw9YW6t
— Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) August 23, 2022
– The question that kills.
Kent Hughes shuffled the cards this summer, but who will win the “Jackpot”? ???? pic.twitter.com/JVzJRVXKFC
— RDS (@RDSca) August 23, 2022
– News from the Bruins.
New Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery lays out the B’s forward plan to start next season, and let’s just say it’s going to make David Krejci and David Pastrnak pretty happy ???????????? https://t.co/W0UE87IGci
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) August 23, 2022
– I sleep at that time.
I texted Blake Biondi at 2 pm to see if he could do an interview. By 3:30 I have a great 30-minute chat in the bank. Accommodating, polite kid every time I speak to him with a great attitude, Some interesting comments on Slafkovsky and Farrell too. Article coming soon.
— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) August 23, 2022
– That would be magical!
Samuel Piette leaving for Canada at the Soccer World Cup against Belgium in November? ⚽️
Listen and read @JeremyFilosa about the prowess of this Quebec soccer player ????➡️ https://t.co/OjfCIHyzQT pic.twitter.com/gvH0f3ZBzc
— 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) August 23, 2022