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Montreal Canadiens: Expectations for Max Domi, breakout candidates, and cap space

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 16: Look on Arizona Coyotes Left Wing Max Domi (16) and Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) during the Arizona Coyotes versus the Montreal Canadiens game on November 16, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 16: Look on Arizona Coyotes Left Wing Max Domi (16) and Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) during the Arizona Coyotes versus the Montreal Canadiens game on November 16, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 20:  (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

1) What are your expectations for Max Domi this upcoming season in terms of points and overall team impact?

Wesley Smith: Max Domi is not an elite offensive talent, with that being said, I believe he can have a solid year playing with a new team here in Montreal. It is unlikely Domi will score goals at an unbelievable rate, however, he does poses elite playmaking ability. He is a player who likes to play on the perimeter and doesn’t really have a nose for the net. But he does have a feisty side just like his dad although not to the same extent. If I had to make a “way to early” prediction for Domi, I’d feel comfortable assuming he scores between 10-20 goals and 30-40 assists for a point total between 40-60 points.

Zachary Cook: To me, Max Domi is an above-average second line forward in today’s NHL. Once again, I don’t expect the Canadiens to be an offensive juggernaut this season, and thus expectations should be tempered for what Domi can bring to this version of the Habs. With that being said, I actually expect the Montreal Canadiens to be an entertaining team up front, especially in regards to last years team.

There are a lot of forwards that can push the play and are driven by speed, many of the play-making variety, but the concern up front is going to continue to be which forwards can put the puck in the net and finish plays. Unfortunately for the Habs, that isn’t what Domi specializes in. Alex Galchenyuk fit the mold better in that department, but it seems the two parties were ready for a divorce. Domi will improve the Canadiens 5-on-5 play, and I’m intrigued if he does eventually get a shot down the middle of the ice.

When Domi finished the season as a center in the final 20 games for Arizona, he had 18 points and was a possession monster. Time will tell how desperate the Canadiens are at center, and if they see Domi as a potential solution there for the future. Expect somewhere between 45-55 points for him.

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