Montreal Canadiens: Is it a rebuild, retool, or reset?

The Montreal Canadiens are reluctant to use the word ‘rebuild’ to describe their trajectory for the upcoming years, but it has elements of one.

Similar to the ways of minimalizing waste in one’s neighbourhood, there are 3 R’s that have been associated with the Montreal Canadiens. The team looks to be in a point of transition after a 28th place finish in the 2017-18 season. But fans are struggling to characterize what the transition is actually.

Are the Habs in a rebuild? If you ask Marc Bergevin and Geoff Molson, they’ll quickly voice their displeasure at the connotations behind that world. A rebuild implies a complete breakdown and reconstruction of a team’s roster. Core players are traded, and the organization goes through stretches of long-term pain for long-term gain.

The Buffalo Sabres are a recent example of how a rebuild can look. Then general manager Tim Murray stripped the organization to the bone to put the team in a position to be draft high. Those years of mediocrity turned into Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, Alexander Nylander, Casey Mittelstadt, and Rasmus Dahlin.

The Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs are examples of a successful rebuild. It’s been a few years of low-standing finishes for a while in both cities, and the organizations have added high-end talent through the draft.

But the Habs are more comfortable using the term ‘reset.’

More from Habs News

• Montreal Canadiens: Biggest Questions Going Into 2023-24
• Montreal Canadiens: Quentin Miller’s Poise And Confidence Fuel His Game
• Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Top Defence Pair Could Be Set
• Montreal Canadiens: Worst Move Of The Pierre Gauthier Era
• Montreal Canadiens: Could Casey DeSmith End Up In Colorado?

The question is what that means exactly. Is it synonymous with a retool or rebuilding on the fly? That’s been the Boston Bruin’s mantra for the last four years. Boston focused on their core of Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara, and Tuukka Rask and built around that with youth.

In that time span, the Bruins have added David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk, Ryan Donato, and Danton Heinen. All of which had a significant impact on the team.

If the Montreal Canadiens are going down a similar route, then it could have Bergevin identify his core of Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher, Carey Price, Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Karl Alzner, Jonathan Drouin, Phillip Danault, and Andrew Shaw, and add youth to it. That’s where Victor Mete, Noah Juulsen and Nikita Scherbak come in.

Next season could have even more of that if both Jesperi Kotkaneimi and Ryan Poehling choose to go pro. Additionally, prospects expected to play in the minors could work their way up to a roster spot in the near future.

It’ll be Bergevin’s actions that pinpoint what state the Montreal Canadiens are in. For now, it’s fair to assume a kind of ‘Boston model’ approach. However, Dominique Ducharme and Luke Richardson will be important pieces moving forward in the team’s push to youth, speed, and skill.

In Case You Missed It

Michael McCarron should be getting a ‘prove it’ deal

The 2013 first-round pick believes he is an NHL player, but he still has a lot to prove. His next deal with the Montreal Canadiens should show that.

Montreal Canadiens hire Luke Richardson as their defence coach

The Habs completed their coaching staff on Monday hiring former New York Islander and Ottawa Senator assistant coach Luke Richardson.

Matchups were a problem for Jonathan Drouin

Playing centre for the first time professional was a test for Jonathan Drouin. Doing it while facing other team’s top lines and defence pairings made it even harder.

Next: Breakdown of cap space, contract number, and reserve list

Morning Links

Richardson is a big supporter of mental health awareness starting the ‘Do It For Daron‘ campaign that raises funds for youth mental health after a tragedy involving his wife Daron in 2010.

The Montreal Forum 1908-1996 (THW)

Before the Bell Centre, the Montreal Forum was the place to play for the Habs.

Matt Benning would be an intriguing target for the Canadiens, in the right circumstances (HEOTP)

If the Montreal Canadiens are still looking to add to their blueline, Matt Benning could be an option.

Richardson: Preaching constant communication (NHL)

Newly appointed associate coach Richardson recognizes the importance of dialogue with his players and would rather get on the ice with them instead of barking orders.