Montreal Canadiens 2019-20 Season Report Card Grades

D. The Pittsburgh native played just nine games with the Habs, scoring a grand total of zero points, but had been producing at nearly a point/game pace with the Rocket before being packaged along with Phil Varone for Joe Blandisi and Jake Lucchini (two other AHL bodies) in order to fix a Laval attitude problem just prior to the deadline. He did not have an impact on the Habs and will be quickly forgotten by Habs faithful if that hasn’t already occurred.. RW. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. RILEY BARBER

D+. Peca played just five games on the Canadiens’ fourth line this season, but actually played decently, adding some speed and offensive upside to the line; he did, however, record zero points. He was traded to Ottawa for a 7th round pick and an AHL body. Meh.. C. Ottawa Senators. MATTHEW PECA

Scandella was acquired from Sabre-ville on January 2nd for a 4th round selection and in his 20 game stint in his hometown was able to shore up the struggling penalty kill, stabilize the left side of defence and score a third-period equalizer against the Leafs at the Bell Centre, a game Ilya Kovalchuk would later end in OT. He seemed to love playing for his childhood team and the love was reciprocated by the fans. He was traded to St. Louis for a 2nd and a conditional 4th four days after Valentine’s day; quite the haul for a solid if unspectacular defenceman. I do not believe that I would be alone in hoping he re-ups with the Habs this offseason at a reasonable price… I really like Scandella!. LD. St. Louis Blues. MARCO SCANDELLA. B+

I have voiced my dislike of Mike Reilly in the past, having also graded his re-signing an F this past summer; which retrospectively was the wrong grade as he somehow fetched Bergevin a 5th round selection from the Ottawa Senators. Anyway, in 14 games, Reilly produced a decent total of four assists, but his offensive ability has never been what enraged Habs supporters; it’s his absolute inability to defend that warranted that. Before I get too carried away, I will leave it at this, Reilly hurt his team significantly more than he helped it in his 14 games and I am glad his days as a Hab are finished.. LD. Ottawa Senators. MIKE REILLY. F

A. Kovalchuk presented Habs fans with such a wonderful storyline this season. Having terminated his contract with the LA Kings and being unable to find a suitor for two weeks, he ended up signing a pro-rated $700 000 contract with the Canadiens. In his 22 games in La Belle Province, he exemplified the passion and love for hockey of the Habs’ supporters. His leadership was appreciated by everyone in the room, his trio of game-winning goals led the team and his 6-7-13 totals demonstrated that he still has what it takes to play in this league. He was traded to the Capitals on the eve of deadline day for a 3rd round pick. I would love to have him back for next season!. LW. Washington Capitals. ILYA KOVALCHUK

Philadelphia Flyers. NATE THOMPSON. B -. Nate Thompson was absolutely beloved in the locker room and brought leadership to the ice. This season, he struggled with many aspects of the game (such as penalty killing and point production) following a strong start, but his surprising foot speed and reputable faceoff ability made him a competent fourth-line centre for this team. His greatest accomplishment this season was in smoothing the transition from junior to pro hockey for Nick Suzuki, whose play consistently improved after being paired with Uncle Nate. He was traded to the Flyers for a 5th round pick at the deadline.. C

B+. Nick Cousins was a solid free agency pickup this past summer and scored 9 goals and 22 points in his 58 games as a Hab. While many Canadiens’ supporters, myself included, became infuriated with his usage on the man advantage, he was very effective in his role as a bottom-six checking winger. While he did not replace the grit of Andrew Shaw as some had hoped, he did well in chirping and irritating opponents. Unfortunately, he did not seem interested in re-signing here and was subsequently shipped to Vegas for a 4th round pick in 2021 right before the trade deadline came to an end.. LW. Vegas Golden Knights. NICK COUSINS