Montreal Canadiens Roundup: The next player to get an extension

Omar White: Every year Gary Bettman and Bill Daly talk about the value of parity and how important it is for new teams to have an opportunity to compete and succeed each season. That’s why we have this interesting playoff format with wild-card spots where teams like the Montreal Canadiens can miss while the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars make it. What the playoffs have been this season is exactly what Bettman and Daly want, as well as the rest of the general managers in the league, it’s upset after upset, and it’s fantastic.

Consider what’s happened so far. The Pittsburgh Penguins who won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 were swept in the first round by the New York Islanders. The Tampa Bay Lightning who many already had their name engraved in the cup back in November only lasted four games. The St. Louis Blues were last place in the NHL at one point and are now on their way to the second round after beating Winnipeg.

And who will they face? Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche who defeated the Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames. The upsets haven’t stopped and the Dallas Stars are the latest examples after taking the series victory from a John Klingberg overtime winner.

It’s crazy what’s been going on and it truly feels like a random team will go all the way this year.

An important question to ask is whether this is the power of parity or is this just an extremely weird season? Either way, the Montreal Canadiens could have a real good time next year if they have a consistent enough year to make it.