Montreal Canadiens: Five Bold Predictions For 2023-24 Season
Nick Suzuki Goes Point-Per-Game.
After a second consecutive 82 games played season, Suzuki has been the Canadiens ironman. He stated that he definitely played through some ailments, but he remained the most consistent player in the lineup. He also posted a career-best 66 points, all without any consistent linemates.
This season though, Suzuki will have his best bud Caufield back on the wing, and if they can pick up where they left off, there’s no telling what the duo could do. This isn’t even taking into account who plays on the line’s other wing, which should only push the line even further. A dynamic playmaker isn’t the lone threat of Suzuki, as he can also burn goalies with his quick release.
A full season with Caufield on his wing should see an incline in his production. The sniper just knows how to get lost in the opposition’s zone, before emerging in a high-danger scoring area.
Suzuki has shown an ability to look off the defender, showing a shot, before threading a last-second pass across to Caufield. A point per game season seems less bold, but the non-believers might argue that. For Suzuki, however, he has developed a clutch ability, and it’s translated from junior hockey to the NHL level.
Regardless of the situation, Suzuki has the ability to look comfortable and make the game look easy, his hockey IQ and brilliant puck skills take over, and having the most skilled players alongside him will only bring the best out of everybody.
Cole Caufield Scores 45 Goals
Just like Suzuki will benefit from Caufield, the pair will play brilliantly off one another and their YouTube highlight reel is available to anyone who disagrees. The shot is devastating, and there is no ounce of doubt about that, but having a pinpoint passer threading one timers makes Caufield’s life much easier. Through 44 games, Caufield scored 26 goals, before going down with a shoulder injury. It’s hard to argue that he doesn’t get right back to his scoring ways, especially after a full offseason to get healthy and work on sharpening his skills to make him even more of a nightmare to goalies.
After a big offseason, Caufield said that he was feeling 100% and he looked as though he hit the weights hard. With a healthy shoulder and some added physical strength, that 50-goal pace might not be so far out of reach. For the sake of not getting too crazy so early on the list, I predict that Caufield will score 45 goals, and help improve the Habs powerplay.
Staying healthy holds the highest importance, and with an unblemished 82-game schedule ahead, there will be ample opportunities for Suzuki and Caufield to rekindle their chemistry. Finding the winger that will turn the duo into a trio will be huge, and the Canadiens will find the answer during training camp. But Caufield’s goalscoring ability will shine brighter in year two, and he could find himself being the first Canadien to score 40+ goals since Vincent Damphousse scored forty in 1993-94.
Kaiden Guhle Plays Top Pair With Mike Matheson
Like many of his Canadiens teammates, Kaiden Guhle was unable to play a full 82 games in his rookie season. What he was able to do though, goes beyond the scoresheet, which wasn’t half bad (18 points in 44 games).
But where he shined most was in his ability to keep up with opponents, benefitting in all three zones from his powerful skating. He has the rare ability to make plays with such poise and confidence, and he rarely looks nervous, even when exiting the zone with forecheckers rushing him.
Physically, Guhle still showed an ability to separate guys from the puck with huge hits, before making a smart play to transition the puck out of the defensive zone. What was impressive was seeing him throw hits for positive plays, very seldom did he lose his positioning as a result of a hit. His length also aided in disrupting plays, and he used his shot and passing to put together a strong stat line.
If Guhle can improve his shooting percentage, and continue climbing towards his potential, he should play his way onto the top defence pairing alongside Mike Matheson. He demonstrates an ability to never really look out of place, and his closing ability makes up for the times that he does slip.
A big physical defenseman that defends well, and skates like the wind would be a perfect complement to Matheson, at least until a right handed defender, like David Reinbacher or Logan Mailloux proves able to take the role from Guhle.
Owen Beck Leapfrogs Jake Evans On Centre Depth Chart
Owen Beck showed up to training camp last year, and his skating and motor instantly stood out. He looked comfortable and exhibited a maturity in his game that goes beyond his years. His responsible two-way play and faceoff prowess stand out and are the big reason that he was one of the Canadien’s final cuts, getting a very long look as an 18 year old center.
He also made his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators last season, and he didn’t look out of place. I predict that he will leapfrog Evans, and play centre on the third line, at least until Christian Dvorak returns.
He hasn’t exactly exploded at the OHL level on the scoresheet, but he has proven to be a good playmaker, and while his shot isn’t a strength, it has some zip. If he can increase his shooting and continue his smart play, he could, conceivably, secure third-line centre duties.
Playing on a line with Juraj Slafkovsky and Brendan Gallagher could be a great way for the two young guys to benefit from Gallagher’s knowledge. It’s an exciting time for the Canadiens, and a glimpse into the future could present itself earlier than expected, I think Beck could prove to be a great fit.
A healthy Gallagher and Slafkovsky paired with a mature centre who plays feisty, could be the makings of a relentless line that drives opponents nuts and can produce offence in the dirty areas. I love Beck’s game, and I think this would be a fun third line.
Casey DeSmith and Package Net First-Round Pick and Prospect
The Casey DeSmith acquisition was weird from the get-go, and unless Hughes has pulled the sheet over our eyes, and tried to fool us, DeSmith is the odd man out for the Habs goaltending carousel. With Samuel Montembeault and Jake Allen poised to hold both the starter and backup role, there’s no space for him in the NHL, and the American Hockey League is out of the question.
It’s likely that Hughes has been working the phones, and fielding different offers, but hasn’t found a buyer yet. One thing that stands out about him, though, is his patience and ability to pull off great deals. Dealing DeSmith out of the organization will happen, and I think the stall could be the inner workings of a package that could earn a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a prospect back.
He may have to consider retaining salary, and throwing in a prospect could make this prediction feasible. I hope in my heart that Hughes can pull off another masterclass move when he moves DeSmith.
Adding future assets would fit right in with the game plan that has seen a roster overhaul. The return is big, but the Habs have the assets to swing such a deal, maybe something like DeSmith, 30% salary retention and Jayden Struble, Jordan Harris or Riley Kidney.
These are merely predictions, the creative juices start to flow during this time of year. If you are a hockey fan, and they don’t, then check your pulse. The Canadiens are an exciting young team, and they are coming up the right way, with some big pieces already on the roster, some of which could prove these predictions right.
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