Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The season hasn’t even started yet, and the challenge is already getting tougher for the Montreal Canadiens.
The Atlantic Division, already loaded, has become even tighter.
In the NHL, standing still often means falling behind.
Relying only on internal growth is risky when your rivals are getting better.
While Kent Hughes has done absolutely nothing so far to improve his team, several division rivals have made moves.
The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, who finished near the bottom last season, made major acquisitions.
The Boston Bruins quietly strengthened their roster, while the Tampa Bay Lightning essentially stayed the course after finishing second with 106 points.
The Canadiens finished third with 106 points before their long run to the Eastern Conference Final.
Their young players should keep improving, but will that be enough?
Canadiens’ unresolved roster needs raise the stakes in a tight Atlantic Division
The problem is that the Canadiens still haven’t addressed their biggest needs.
There’s still no true second-line center and no high-end winger to play alongside Ivan Demidov.There’s no top-4 right-shot defenseman either. And the team lost Brendan Gallagher, Patrik Laine and Joe Veleno without replacing them.
Even internal growth might not be enough.
Karine Hains projects the standings this way:
Florida Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Ottawa Senators
Detroit Red Wings
The real battle could come down to Montreal, Toronto and Boston, with almost nothing separating them.
For Martin St-Louis, the Atlantic Division won’t leave much room for mistakes, and the pressure could rise quickly if things don’t go well.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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