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Montreal Canadiens at a Crossroads: Analyzing the Three Directions the Franchise Can Go From Here

By Ken MacMillan

Kent Hughes (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Kent Hughes (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Jan 21, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen (34) and goalie Carey Price (31) Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen (34) and goalie Carey Price (31) Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rebuild Route

With the Canadiens sitting dead last in the standings, an argument could be made that it is time to tear this thing down to the studs. Call in tanking or rebuilding, it would put the Canadiens on a. path to possibly draft future franchise stars in Shane Wright and Connor Bedard over the next two seasons.

Rebuilds are often quoted as the path to long term success. Look how it worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins after they drafted Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin with top two picks. The Chicago Blackhawks foundation of three Stanley Cups was built around Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

There are also cautionary tales of this path. The Florida Panthers look great right now but it has taken over a decade of futility and failed rebuilds to get here. The Edmonton Oilers consistently drafted first overall and then missed the playoffs again and again.

The Toronto Maple Leafs can’t win a playoff series but make it fun with Auston Matthew and Mitch Marner.

The classic rebuild route would mean stripping down the entire veteran cast and trading away basically anyone over the age of 28 without question. The team would be awful next season and the one after that. Maybe they would show signs of life in 2023-24, but there are no guarantees.

Signs They are Heading in This Direction:

Trades for draft picks and prospects would be ideal in this situation. The Canadiens have already started in that direction with Toffoli and Chiarot trades. Although, I don’t think those two deals signal a full rebuild is coming.

A signal of a full rebuild would be a trade of another player with term that is helping the team right now. Like Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher, Joel Edmundson or Carey Price.

If one of those players is traded, we are likely seeing the beginning of a big teardown. Pain would follow, but it would all be worth it for Bedard. Of course, there is no guarantees when it comes to draft lotteries, so this would be a risky route to say the least.

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