The rebuild for the Canadiens is a lot like popping popcorn, something that requires patience and planning. They should be moving past the first stage of it, getting closer to reaping the rewards in the process.
The Rangers and Habs were once at a similar crossroads with the latter opting for a full rebuild over a retool like Montreal first attempted. Having seen how New York has fared since, what lessons can the Canadiens learn?
While management will be looking to add to the rosters of both the Canadiens and Rocket, they should also be looking to add to the coaching staff of each team in the coming months.
Patience is a virtue. And far too many Montreal Canadiens fans and media members seem to lack when it comes to their expectations of 2022 first-overall draft pick Juraj Slafkovsky. That needs to change.
The Montreal Canadiens wasted little time finding another new home for Jeff Petry. However, rather than accepting an underwhelming package with salary retention, they should have looked to get creative which could have allowed them to spend the savings in a different manner.
The Habs have already returned Owen Beck to play in junior this season. While it might not be the popular opinion, they should be taking the same approach with first-rounders Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar as well.
There’s not a lot going on with the Habs both on and off the ice. With the progress their new management team has made, the lack of talking points certainly isn’t a bad thing.
When Arizona completed an improbable comeback on April 29th to hand the Habs the top odds for the draft lottery which they eventually won, it looked as if the Canadiens had some good fortune. But now, with a tough decision looming on the top pick, would they have been better off picking second?
Between their coaching change and an openness to take on prospects over draft picks in trades, Montreal’s new management team might not be as enamoured with the upcoming draft class as some might think.
Many fans and pundits have written off the Habs as a team that will be on the outside looking in at the playoffs this coming season. But while they don’t have the top-end talent other division rivals do, they have a group that’s built to do some damage, even if some don’t see it.