Montreal Canadiens(1st in Atlantic; 47-26-29): Montreal saw a first round exit to the New York Rangers last season, after a disappointing 2015-2016 the Canadiens bounced back nicely in 2016-2017, taking over the Atlantic once again. Led by Carey Price 37-20-5, 2.23 GAA last season the team faced a roller coaster of an off-season. Letting Andrei Markov their most storied defensemen for the last twelve years walk, Alexander Radulov won’t return and Nikita Nesterov went to the KHL, but they did sign Ales Hemsky, acquire Jonathan Drouin and Karl Alzner from Washington.
Montreal offense in my eyes and I’m sure most of you can agree is weak, and do not have anyone threatening after Drouin and Pacioretty. Being that Paul Denault and Andrew Shaw are their top centers is never positive(in my opinion at least). Brandon Gallagher can’t stay healthy and when he is healthy, he is nothing to worry about on the ice, besides being a pest in front of the net. After the five listed Tomas Plekanec is now 34-years-old and his numbers are only declining from here on out. Montreal needed to make offensive adjustments and in a way, they did by adding Drouin but Hemsky won’t add more than 30 points to their lineup so it’s nothing to go crazy over.
On the back end with Andrei Markov gone for good, Shea Weber will have to do much of the heavy lifting now. Many oversee Markov but the 38-year-old defenseman did play 990 career games, 119 goals, 453 assists and 572 points and fun fact Markov had a point in 43% of all Habs power play goals for the past four seasons. The void to fill Markov’s role will be nearly impossible especially since Karl Alzner is the next guy up. Given Alzner defensive ability he does not possess the offensive ability Markov did. Along with Mark Streit being signed to Montreal helps their blue line depth but Montreal is very old and fragile on the back end. Jeff Petry and Jordie Benn can be solid four, five defensemen Montreal hopes, but that question will be answered by the start of the season.
Montreal made a few offseason moves and let a few key players walk, the team looks the same, possibly a little down grade with Markov gone but Montreal hopes Carey Price can yet again carry them into the playoffs. If Price isn’t healthy all season this Montreal team is in trouble. Being that the Atlantic and Metropolitan just continue to get better, a healthy Price assures Montreal to be in the playoff talk for next season.
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