2021-22
Record: 22-49-11 55p (8th in the Atlantic)
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Losses
D – Alexander Romanov (Trade – NYI), D – Jeff Petry (Trade – PIT), F – Ryan Poehling (Trade – PIT),
Key Additions
F – Kirby Dach, F – Evgenii Dadonov, D – Ty Smith, D – Mike Matheson, F – Sean Monahan
2022-23 Preview
In one of the worst seasons in the longtime storied franchises, the Montreal Canadiens look to improve from the 22 win campaign from last season.
To start off, there was a lot of optimism as Montreal was fresh off of their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 1993. However, injuries mounted with the Habs and things never got any better. Dominique Ducharme, who signed an extension just after the Stanley Cup Final, was relieved of his duties in February, after only being head coach for seven months, and Martin St. Louis was named the interim head coach. Offencive production was down under Ducharme but when St. Louis came in, that production improved but by that point, it was too late and the Habs front office would start planning for the offseason.
This will be another season for rebuilding. Montreal should be better when it comes to the top six as well as with the blue line. The big question mark for the Canadiens and their fans remains. What will happen with G Carey Price? It has been rumoured that Price may very well miss the 2022-23 season with ongoing knee issues that lingered through the end of last season. Is Jake Allen read to take the reins for another season or will Sam Montembeault be the starter in net?
On the offensive side of the puck, newcomer Kirby Dach, who at the time of the writing of this, has not signed a new deal, should provide excellent offencive skills. Will this be the year that Cole Caufield finally breaks through and has top six minutes?
On the defencive side, the defence will look much different. The biggest question mark here is will the blue line be able to gel together and not have a lot issues or will the defence be a question once more?