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

Contend Right Away Route

The Canadiens were in the Stanley Cup Final less than a year ago. So, instead of rebuilding, or even continuing on the same path, we could see this team be aggressive as it tries to contend as early as next season.

This might not be a plan that makes a lot of sense for a team in 32nd place, but they did draft 31st overall last summer for a reason.

Signs They are Heading in This Direction:

Acquiring anyone that can play at the NHL level. The Habs have been rumoured to be interested in players like Pavel Zacha who has plenty of NHL experience. If they acquire him, or Jake DeBrusk, or especially if they get in the Jakob Chychrun sweepstakes, you will know this team is planning on competing next season.

Also, a couple of “contend right away” moves might actually look like rebuilding moves to begin with. If the Habs want to be really good next season, they will need to look to free agency for help in the offseason.

However, they don’t have a lot of cap space lined up for that right now. So, they would need to clear some out.

That could be done by trading away overpaid bottom six forwards like Joel Armia, Mike Hoffman or perhaps even Paul Byron. Trading Armia for a late draft pick might suggest a rebuild, but how much worse is the team with Perreault playing on the fourth line instead of Armia?

Not much.

It is quite possible that a Hoffman or Armia trade could just be the team clearing the deck to make cap space for the offseason.

Part two of this plan would be to go out and spend big money on a centre like Nazem Kadri or Patrice Bergeron in July. Or perhaps improve the blue line by acquiring Kris Letang or bringing back Ben Chiarot as free agents in a couple of months.

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