The Montreal Canadiens have been in the dumps for two seasons, but many believe they can turn things around soon. After the Canadiens fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, they finished fifth in the NHL standings for the next two years. As a result, they’ve crafted size and skill, up front and on the blue line, in Juraj Slavkovsky and David Reinbacher and figured out a new way of giving some players a much-needed second chance.
That’s not all general manager Kent Hughes has done, though, as a second chance is something the organization has begun to aspire to. Whether it’s a player who was drafted in the first round looking for a fresh start, or a player who has slumped from a previously exceptional season, Montreal became a landing spot for their chance at redemption. Hughes and his staff began making algorithmic decisions about which players would best fit their team’s needs, regardless of past performance concerns.
Related: No Canadiens agent signings 2023 free no problem
In their first two seasons under Hughes and Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens became a land of opportunity. Blending skill, scale, and pure hard work, rebuilding the Canadians felt like a retool—and in all the right ways. Here are some examples of players who failed to live up to their initial expectations and some names for the Canadians to consider moving forward.
The Canadians’ trade to Ladakh succeeded
In the 2022 draft, Hughes first As the Canadiens’ general manager, the Canadiens wasted no time making big changes. The recruiting took place in the province of Quebec, so this was his chance to give the crowd what they wanted. After trading defenseman Alexander Romanoff to the New York Islanders, he flipped the return into a package deal to acquire Kirby Dash from the Chicago Blackhawks. Bell’s position was strong after the Canadians landed in the top six.
before the Arizona Coyotes declared their third-place selectionAnd Hughes completed two trades and did what former general manager Mark Bergevin deemed impossible. Duck, 21 years old, He finished third overall in 2019 But he failed to fit in with the team. The main blow against him were injury problems, which he suffered again in his first season with the Canadiens. Fortunately, he was great and set career highs in goals (14), assists (24), and points (38) playing in the team’s top six — a promising sign for his future with the team.
The Newhook and Andersson acquisitions make sense
One year later, Hughes doubles and packs his 31st and 37th draft picks in 2023 NHL draft and two more to get Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche. The 22-year-old striker has become a regular in the Avalanche squad During the 2021-22 season and scored two consecutive campaigns of at least 30 points. Newhook was the 16th overall pick in 2019 and turned pro after completing his two-year stint at Boston College.
Latest news and highlights
He’s not the biggest player, but he has the heart of a lion and a tenacious style. Newhook is better suited to the top nine role but he will get a chance to play the best six minutes next season.
Lias Andersson is another former first-round draft pick who signed with the Canadiens on July 2. Drafted seventh overall in 2017, Andersson hasn’t established himself as an NHL starter yet, but he’ll have plenty of time in the AHL with the Laval Rocket to show he’s ready for another shot. He struggled with injuries during the 2021-22 season but he stood up Big numbers in the AHL The following year with the Ontario Reign.
Other names that fit the Canadian system
If Canadians want to welcome more projects, Maxime Comtois should be of interest. He’s a 6-foot-2 winger who didn’t make it out with the Anaheim Ducks but has the skills and determination to step up into the lineup. Scored seven points in his first 10 NHL games He recorded a 33-point season in 55 games during his third season, which put him in a similar position to Dach and Newhook.
Another 23-year-old looking to make a fresh start is Felipe Zadina, who was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings on July 3. Drafted by the team sixth overall the same year as Jespery Kotkaniemi, the Canadiens selected Zadina from the Reds. He hoped for wings. Injuries played a role, but he didn’t give the team a reason to keep him in the lineup full-time. He solicited his trade from Detroit Consolidating the end of his spell, a fresh start for the Czech striker could be the awakening he needs to get his career back on track.
Click to read all of Hockey Writers’ 2023 NHL free agency coverage
The main issue the Canadiens have to bring up names like Zadina and Comtois is the number of forwards under the Canadiens contract. With Newhook, a restricted free agent, still unsigned, Montreal has 14 forwards signed for the 2023-24 season. To sign more talent upfront, Hughes will have to find a business partner for a few players, like Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick, who are entering the final year of their contracts. At this point, Hughes may want to give a player like Emil Heinemann a shot at beating someone else’s second chance.