Where will the Canadian go?
Mathias Brunet
The Canadian will be competitive, but will be short of qualifying for the playoffs. Another season to see the young people progress.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard
Not far, but still further than last year. CH will still be excluded from the playoffs, but I expect progress among several young players. It’s the least we can do, actually.
Richard Labbé
A little better than last season, but not much: 8e of its division, but the club will jump two places in the general league ranking, to arrive in 26e position. In a market that has recently been content with little, we call that progress.
Guillaume Lefrançois
Second to last in the Atlantic Division, ahead of Detroit and behind pretty much everyone else, if my math is correct.
Simon-Olivier Lorange
In last place in its division, and among the last in the league. It will take a happy surprise in Montreal and a collapse elsewhere for it to end differently.
Alexander Pratt
Difficult to project the Canadian anywhere other than last place in the division, unless the Detroit Red Wings embark on a total rebuild at the trade deadline.
Who will be the surprise of the season?
Mathias Brunet as Alex Newhook
Alex Newhook will succeed Kirby Dach as surprise of the year. He will amass around fifty points, on the wing or in the center.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard as Samuel Montembeault
The Quebecer will continue his progress from last year and force the Habs to offer him a nice contract extension.
Richard Labbé: Sean Monahan
My choice from last season, who should, if all goes well, play more than 25 games this time, and thus have a much better season.
Guillaume Lefrançois as Joshua Roy
Seeing him go to camp, he won’t need much time in Laval. If he plays around forty matches in Montreal, it will be a nice surprise for CH.
Simon-Olivier Lorange as Justin Barron
He hasn’t had a great training camp, but given the space gap on the right flank of the defense, he could still impose himself. The ball is in his court.
Alexandre Pratt as Cole Caufield
I know, he’s already very good. But he has the potential to be even better than expected, even coming back from surgery. In my crystal ball: a season of 40 goals, 75 points.
Who will be the disappointment of the season?
Mathias Brunet as Brendan Gallagher
Another difficult season for Brendan Gallagher. If he’s not injured, he’ll hang on to a third or fourth line.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard as Jake Allen
He will be less important on the ice, but more in the locker room.
Richard Labbé as Alex Newhook
There are people who talk about this young man as a top player. There are people who will be disappointed.
Guillaume Lefrançois as Tanner Pearson
Coming back to the game after almost a year of absence is never easy. Imagine for a player in his thirties who doesn’t have great skating.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Arber Xhekaj
He surprised everyone last season, but he’s not an overachiever. He is, in my eyes, the main candidate for misfortune of the second year.
Alexander Pratt as Jake Allen
His save rate has been declining for four years in a row, and his training camp was not encouraging.
Will Cole Caufield score 40 goals?
Mathias Brunet: Yes
If he doesn’t miss too many games, Caufield will reach this mark and allow his center Nick Suzuki to have a first season of 75 points.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard: Absolutely
It shouldn’t take long to open the machine, like last year.
Richard Labbé: No
One day yes, but not this season. He returns from a long period of inactivity, and he will be part of the only trio that the opponent will have an eye on every night.
Guillaume Lefrançois: Yes
He has 48 goals in 83 games under Martin St-Louis.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Yes
He still needs to stay healthy.
Alexandre Pratt: Yes
A real sniper.
Will Samuel Montembeault play 50 games?
Mathias Brunet: Yes
Samuel Montembeault should play around fifty and he will establish himself as the undisputed number one of this team.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard: Affirmative
See my answer on the surprise of the season.
Richard Labbé: Yes
He’s the Canadian’s number one goalie, and also, the club can’t really give Jake Allen more than thirty games.
Guillaume Lefrançois: No
Not with the menage a trois that takes shape in front of the net at the start of the season.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: No
Unless Jake Allen becomes completely incapable of stopping pucks. If both stay healthy, I expect them to play around 40 games each.
Alexandre Pratt: Yes
If he doesn’t get hurt.
Who will be the most used defender?
Mathias Brunet as Mike Matheson
Mike Matheson will be used the most, if he can stay healthy this time, but Kaiden Guhle won’t be far behind.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard as Mike Matheson
If he can stay healthy, the new assistant captain will still be the most reliable defender St-Louis can count on in what is still a difficult season.
Richard Labbé: Mike Matheson
Mike Matheson received an A, which demonstrates management’s affection for him. He will get plenty of playing time.
Guillaume Lefrançois as Mike Matheson
It remains to be seen whether the new medical team will prevent him from injuries.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Mike Matheson
He will be 30 years old during the winter, but nothing seems like it. He is a horse in training and has had a great camp. He will be the general in defense.
Alexandre Pratt as Mike Matheson
If he stays healthy, Michael Matheson, hands down. From 1er February last season, he was among the 10 most used players in the NHL.