After 82 games, in a season marked by several unforeseen events, by events that caused the development process to undergo several modifications, it is time to hand over the evaluation cards.
There are several factors to consider when it comes to diving into season highlights and roster analysis. Statistics cannot give a very precise idea of individual performance because the constant changes in the workforce have changed the situation. Let’s not forget that 39 players have donned the uniform.
Therefore, this is a season where we have to dwell on the positives while keeping in perspective that the recovery program is well underway, but the decision makers realize that the work to get the team back on track the rails will be more demanding than expected.
If Kent Hughes can pull off a few magic tricks in the off-season, as he did last year, the Canadiens can look forward to next season with some optimism.
But, be careful, from there to thinking about participating in the spring tournament of 2024, it remains a challenge that must be viewed with great reserve. Significant changes require bold intervention by Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes.
The culture has changed somewhat, but to really live up to expectations, some skaters will have to leave, others, already well settled in the locker room, will have to demonstrate that they have learned in the adversity of a season marked by the unexpected.
Decision-makers have a colossal job ahead of them. Will they be able to find all the elements to give more luster to their program? Will they be able to give more flexibility to their salary cap? Will they get the opportunity to recruit a young player capable of breaking into training next year? It’s hard to predict, but what we’re hearing from scouts and pundits is that the June draft will be one of the most attractive in years.
nothing exciting
In the unrestricted free agent market, a quick way to move up the ladder, provided of course you have a fair assessment of the players available, there are some interesting names, as I pointed out in a previous column. The names of Pierre-Luc Dubois and Timo Meier are eye-catching, but there’s a catch: they’re restricted free agents.
So, let’s get out the evaluation cards.
They will be back
› Nick Suzuki: with a healthy team, he would have finished the season averaging one point per game.
› Cole Caufield: it remains to find common ground on the terms of an agreement. For how many seasons? The question is at the heart of the discussions.
› Josh Anderson: he had his best moments with the Canadiens before suffering an injury.
› Kirby Dash: a great surprise. He signed a new deal last year.
› Jake Evans: often injured… but for the moment, a position will be entrusted to him.
› Brendan Gallagher: a long contract attaches him to the team. Is it a good return on investment? For three years, his career has raised several questions.
› Rafael Harvey-Pinard: a nice find. A passionate gamer.
› Juraj Slafkovsky: for now, it has its place.
› Justin Barron: a supportive defender.
› Kaiden Guhle: a safe bet.
› Jordan Harris: a smart player.
› Mike Matheson: a big surprise.
› David Savard: a big brother for a young defensive brigade.
› Arber Xhekaj: he has an important role to play in training.
› Jake Allen: he has a contract for next year.
› Samuel Montembeault: an improved keeper.
› Johnathan Kovacevic: he still has two more years on his $766,667 per season deal
In uncertainty
› Joel Armia: you never know what to expect. $3.4 million contract. Can it be part of the solution? We doubt it.
› Alex Belzile: at the very least, he deserves a National League contract.
› Mike Hoffman: culture does not pass through Hoffman. Who wants a player who certainly does not justify a salary of $4.5 million.
› Michael Pezzetta: competition inside the organization could get him in trouble. Independent player with compensation.
› Chris Wideman: there is no vacancy for him. Another year on his terms. Salary: $762,500.
› Joel Edmundson: yet another season on his terms. A veteran, but fails to compete against fast teams.
Gone or at a discount
› Jonathan Drouin: his contract is coming to an end, are we going to make him an offer? It would be surprising if we came to this conclusion, especially with a payroll that distorts the equation.
› Sean Monahan: keep it for a season? For what?
› Chris Tierney: he was passing through.
› Rem Pitlick: another year on his deal ($1,100,000), but no place in training.
› Christian Dvorak: a special case. He can always contribute to the success of his team in a very specific role, but if an offer is made to Kent Hughes, it would be surprising if he refuses the invitation. Two more years on his $4,500,000 per season deal.
› Denis Gurianov: he kept the same habits as in Dallas. Its rate at the level of the competition is low. Are we going to make him a qualifying offer of $3,000,000 as required by the rules? A huge risk, if there is one.
The inevitable
› Paul Byron who should retire.
› How to manage the status of Carey Price?
A work appreciated
› Martin St-Louis and his group did a great job behind the bench and in developing young players. Maybe the results are not very good, but could we do better with a team having to undergo changes every game?
St. Louis, in his first full season, has been patient, he’s also been an understanding coach. He guided this young troop well, and he gave a lot of responsibilities to each of the skaters.
The newcomers learned quickly, they had unique experiences, they took advantage of the coaches’ advice, in short, St-Louis and his group acted as they should in such a context.
› Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes: they respected the instruction, the one they concocted. Now it’s up to them to take action. They must give another impetus to this formation. They need to kick off phase two of the renewal program making sure the salary cap will give them more options. They will have to be very vigilant in the transaction market. They will also be able to take advantage of an interesting position within the framework of the repechage of amateur players.
They do not have the choice.