Training camp, preseason and a lot of hard work have
led up to this day: opening night for the Montreal
Canadiens. Last year didn’t end so well, being left out
of the NHL playoffs by a mere two points, and Montreal
is looking to build on a successful season by making the
playoffs this time around. They made a few changes
this offseason, and general manager Marc Bergevin
feels these changes will have a huge impact, on and off
the ice.
A healthy Shea Weber to start the season is music to
every Habs’ fans ears. Weber last season was
recovering from offseason knee surgery that kept him
out of the lineup until Mid-December, which many felt
if he started the season, things would have ended
differently for the team. He is such a presence on and
off the ice, even though he’s not the same player he was
in Nashville, he still brings that competitive edge
and leadership to a young team that is on the rise. And
of course, his booming slapshot, but that goes without
saying.
Aside from signing Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
#1 centre, to an offer sheet on July 1st, which was later
matched by Carolina, the Canadiens didn’t do anything
big in free agency, but they added some key players that
will help them. First Keith Kinkaid, backup goalie,
signed to a one-year contract to play behind Carey
Price. Former backup last year Antti Niemi didn’t play
well as expected, and because of that, Price played 60+
games for Montreal, which is not ideal for a starting
goalie. Keith Kinkaid should bring some solidarity to
the backup position, and play 20+ games this season,
which should help Price and the team.
Another signing Bergevin was Ben Chiariot, 28 year old
left defenseman who played with Atlanta/Winnipeg his
whole career, signed a three year contract at 3.5 million
per year, and is known as a stay at home defenseman
who brings a physical edge every night. Sounds like
Karl Alzner, I know, but Chiariot is way better than
Alzner. Chiariot is an underrated player, because he
doesn’t put a lot of points, but he’s an amazing skater,
surprisingly quick as well, who can pass the puck
out of his own zone. He will be playing alongside Jeff
Petry, who is known as an offensive defenseman that
likes to put points on the board, but also be responsible
in his own end. It’ll be a nice pairing for this d-core.
There were 3 rookies looking poised to make the team
this year: Nick Suzuki, Ryan Poehling and Cale Fleury.
Unfortunately for Poehling, who suffered a concussion
during a preseason game, got sent down to Laval to get
his groove back. After impressing the Habs bunch in
the last game of last season, scoring a hat-trick and the
game-winning shootout goal, he will getting first line
minutes in Laval hopefully, and Joel Bouchard, coach of
the Laval Rocket, will help him get back to Montreal
sooner rather than later. As for Nick Suzuki and Cale
Fleury, they played very well, with Suzuki showing his
high IQ and playmaking ability and Fleury with his
poised calm demeanor and physical edge. They’ll bring
some youth to the lineup, but with a lot of skill and
determination to make this team better.
Overall, I think Montreal had a good offseason, with
the additions in place, they’re aiming to play fast and
hard en route to the NHL Playoffs. Nothing is
guaranteed of course, but this reset that Bergevin set 2
years ago is already paying dividends. Tonight, they’ll
open their season on the road against the Carolina
Hurricanes, with the Canadiens looking far better than
last season. I see them making the playoffs and
surprising a lot of people by finishing 3rd in the
Atlantic Division. It’s a stretch, but I think it’s doable.
Here’s the lineup for tonight. GO HABS GO!
Tatar-Danault-Gallagher
Lekhonen-Domi-Suzuki*
Drouin-Kotkaniemi-Armia
Byron-Thompson-Weal
Mete-Weber
Chiariot*-Petry
Kulak-Fleury*
Price
Kinkaid*
JV Sports Blog 