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Montreal Canadiens: Updated Roster and Lines After Free Agent Frenzy

By Joshua Rosa

May 2, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman David Savard (58) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman David Savard (58) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Line 1

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Tyler Toffoli

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It might be a bit sketchy putting a rookie like Cole Caufield on the first line, but the Canadiens don’t have a traditional line structure and this line won’t be getting the heavy ice time that most top lines in the NHL have. Plus, this line has been really good.

Jun 18, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Cole Caufield Tyler Toffoli and Nick Suzuki Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Cole Caufield Tyler Toffoli and Nick Suzuki Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Toffoli finished 7th in the league last season with 28 goals, and while I think that type of production won’t be reproduced this coming season, it is easy to envision Toffoli getting mid 20 goal totals. He maxed out at 31 goals in 2015-16, which he would have topped last year if it was a full season. Along with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, it could be a career year for Toffoli.

Suzuki is well on his way to becoming a star in Montreal, and this year could be a big step forward to his stardom in the entire league. He led the team in goals and points in the playoffs, and tied with Tyler Toffoli for the lead of team assists. It is not out of the realm of possibility that he could lead the team in points again this year.

Caufield might just be the front runner for the Calder Trophy as the best rookie this year. After scoring four goals in his first 10 regular-season games, Caufield stepped his game up as the competition increased and scored four goals and 12 points in 20 playoff games. He is just 15 goals behind Kaapo Kakko, who leads the entire draft class and has played 104 more games than Caufield. He might turn into a steal at 15th overall.

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