Yeah, the Detroit Red Wings are gonna have their hands full with the Montreal Canadiens this year, barring injuries or anything unforeseen. They got a top-nine and a top-four that are young and should be in town for quite some time, so get used to them, Wings fans.
I mean, and I've said this before, but the entire Atlantic Division looks good and could be the toughest group of eight teams in the league, with maybe the Central coming close. And it's young teams full of talent, proven teams, like the Canadiens, that make this divison so tough to play in.
Forwards
Left Wing | Centers | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Juraj Slafkovsky | Nick Suzuki | Cole Caufield |
Zack Bolduc | Kirby Dach | Ivan Demidov |
Patrik Laine | Alex Newhook | Oliver Kapanen |
Brendan Gallagher | Jake Evans | Josh Anderson |
Samuel Blais | Joe Veleno |
If the lines projection from Daily Faceoff hold up, maybe I was wrong about Montreal's top nine. You can say their entire projected forward group, and maybe that former Red Wing listed as an extra, are gonna haunt even the league's best and brightest.
I can't think of a better young first line in hockey than that of Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield. That's a trio of dynamic scorers, and you can argue that none of them have seen their best game yet.
Getting Zack Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues was one of the biggest steals of the offseason, and with Ivan Demidov lining up at right wing, the Habs got another two scorers at the corners, Some might scoff at Kirby Dach, but it wouldn't surprise me if we saw Jake Evans or Alex Newhook snag the spot on the second line. Especially Evans, who's reliable in the face-off circle and ain't afraid to deliver body checks.
Drop down to the third line, and you got the resurgent Patrik Laine, who will pick up where he left off. As for Oliver Kapanen? Expect him to take another step after he appeared in 18 games last season. He only recorded two points, but he's young and has been stellar overseas, so expect him to pick up on things quickly should he start the year in the NHL.
If Jake Evans starts the season on the fourth line, then the Habs got some potential depth scoring. Same for Josh Anderson, who looked more like the 21-goal scorer he was two seasons ago. Then, you got the lifer in Brendan Gallagher, who did find twine 21 times last season.
Overall, this is a group that's gonna score a lot with so much top-six talent, especially if Bolduc meshes well early, Laine keeps showing resurgence, and Demidov catches on. With their youth, the Habs will be a fun team to watch, but when they play the Wings, their forward group isn't the only spot that might be a nightmare.
Defensemen/Goaltenders
Left Defense | Right Defense |
|---|---|
Kaiden Guhle | Noah Dobson |
Lane Hutson | Jayden Struble |
Mike Matheson | Alexandre Carrier |
Arber Xhekaj | |
G: Sam Montembeault | G: Kaapo Kahkonen |
There are no negatives here about this blue line. Kaiden Guhle and Noah Dobson are gonna be an excellent one-two punch combo. Guhle's landing body checks and blocking shots in a stay-at-home role, and we already know Dobson can put up points like a forward.
Lane Hutson needs no introduction, especially speaking of someone who's practically a playmaking forward playing middle-pairing minutes. As for Jayden Struble, you got another big-hitter and stay-at-home player.
This gives the Habs top four a perfect balance, and even more when you factor in Mike Matheson playing potentially third-pairing minutes these days. Ditto for Alexandre Carrier, who can also step in and invade lanes. Add in Arber Xhekaj as a big-hitting seventh D-man, and this group is set.
At goaltender, you got the breakout star in Sam Montembeault, who snagged four shutouts last season. Kaapo Kahkonen sits behind him, and he'll give the Habs a decent 20-plus starts.
For the Wings, they need to be ready, because the Habs won't be an easy team to beat with how deep they're getting. They got a proven goaltender, a proven blue line, and by December, they may even boast a proven forward group.