Montreal Canadiens: The need for a franchise player

Montreal Canadiens general manager Geoff Molson had some interesting things to say about the direction of the team including the need for a franchise player.

The 2017/18 season has proven that the Montreal Canadiens need a lot of things. To tick off some of them quickly: a number one centre, top pairing left defenceman, and a better prospect pool. Fortunately, there are some players in the organization right now who have the potential to fit that role.

The prospect pool can be improved with some hard work from Trevor Timmins and the rest of the scouting staff at this year’s draft, especially with four second-round picks at their disposal. Victor Mete has shown the signs and ability to handle the minutes of a top pairing player, but it will take some time to see if he can do it on a nightly basis. However, this season was a giant step in the right direction for the 19-year-old, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses in the years to come.

Acquiring a number one centre is the journey the Montreal Canadiens are still looking for. Jonathan Drouin was brought in to be just that for the team but hasn’t been able to reach that level yet. He has had a handful of dominating performances lately hinting at what he can be for the Habs long-term. With more work, Drouin can be an effective centre moving forward. Whether he can be the bonafide number one that you see on other teams is still up for debate.

However, team owner Geoff Molson brought up another need of the Montreal Canadiens, one that hasn’t been talked about as much. That being, a franchise player.

That quote came from Molson when he spoke to media at an event in Belgium on Friday.

It’s interesting but true; the Montreal Canadiens don’t have that guy. Carey Price has been the face of the team for many years and is still touted as being the best goaltender in the world. Shea Weber is a feared defenceman in the league and has many years of being known as a top blue liner as well as the one with the most dangerous shot. Additionally, you can’t discount stars in Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, and Drouin.

Unfortunately, the Habs don’t have a Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson, or Connor McDavid. Many thought that Drouin could be that, at least in image, for the Montreal Canadiens for the next five years, but the organization needs someone else of even higher status. You take all those things, put them together, and it all points to the Draft Lottery sometime next month.

Rasmus Dahlin is a generational talent as far as defencemen go. The things he’s been able to do at such a young age playing with men in Sweden is incredible, and it will only get better for him once he’s in the NHL. The team lucky enough to select Dahlin first overall in June will have their blueline set for the next 20 years, and have a franchise name and face.

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That’s what the Montreal Canadiens have to be eying. If Dahlin is the player the Habs get, that’s two needs checked off. Molson’s, “But I see that as an opportunity for us”, comment has to be about the lottery and Dahlin. Management could be trying to work out a future trade that has a player of that magnitude join the fold, but that’s highly unlikely.

It doesn’t seem productive to put all your hopes in a few balls showing up with the magic numbers, but that’s the impact a franchise-calibre player such as Dahlin has. Right now, the Montreal Canadiens have a 7.6% chance of winning the lottery. The NHL has made it more difficult for teams to tank to a victory, and although finishing last in this new era as produced a winner, it’s not the only spot that can get you one.

What happened last season with the New Jersey Devils was great for them, but something the league wants to happen more often. Even if the Habs don’t draft first, there are other players projected in the top three who have the potential to reach that status. Dahlin is at a different level, but the likes of Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina will have strong impacts in the NHL as well.

It’s something exciting to track this offseason for Habs fans and far from being the only important thing to take place. The other selections in the draft are further opportunities to add more talent to the organization.

If Molson is serious about finding a franchise player, then it’s up to the men in charge to find them.

Next: Galchenyuk's Success at the Bell Centre

Do you agree that the Montreal Canadiens need a franchise player? Can Drouin or Galchenyuk grow into that role or is the answer only at the draft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.