WANTED: A FINISHER
THE HABS ARE IN transition. They’re led by older, expensive vets like Carey Price and Shea Weber, but they’re gradually turning the roster over to make room for an exciting crop of prospects. Nick Suzuki made the jump this year, more high-end help could arrive next season, and GM Marc Bergevin has an incredible 14 picks in 2020 to pad an already loaded system. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Canadiens don’t score enough, having iced the league’s No. 19 offense, and they don’t defend well, sitting 19th in defense and penalty killing. They’re a strong possession team, but they need more dynamic finishers up front to cash in on their chances. And since you can never assume any rookie defenseman will step in as a topfour guy right away, Bergevin has to consider adding one via trade or UFA signing.
LONG-TERM NEEDS: Montreal boasts a top-tier prospect at every position except center, where Ryan Poehling is more of a two-way, bottom-six guy. Suzuki had a smashing debut and should have a great career as whip-smart, complete pivot, but the Habs need the type of dominator who can challenge for scoring titles one day. CAP SITUATION: Even after re-signing RFA Max Domi, Bergevin has enough cap space to take a run at a big name, like he did when he offer-sheeted Sebastian Aho last summer. But Bergevin must be careful not to overspend, as Brendan Gallagher, Tomas Tatar, Phillip Danault and Jeff Petry enter the final years of their deals. They’ve all been good enough to warrant re-signing. Then again, they’ll be trade bait if Montreal falls out of contention.
IN THE SYSTEM 2020-21: Speedy Alexander Romanov is so polished as a two-way defenseman and leader that he could jump right from the KHL to the NHL. He is the future of Montreal’s blueline and possesses a Norris Trophy ceiling. DID YOU KNOW: At 5-foot-7, sniper Cole Caufield is the shortest first-round pick in NHL history, edging Kailer Yamamoto, who stands 5-foot-7 and three-quarters.