Montreal Canadiens: How Many Habs Will Score 20 Goals This Season?
Dach, Newhook & Slafkovsky
Kirby Dach has a chip on his shoulder, and the way he plays since he joined the Habs reflects that; he plays physically and loves to rush the puck up the ice. His hands, and speed stand out every time he rushes the puck, and his potential is so high, it puzzles me why the Blackhawks wouldn’t keep him around. Dach is poised to take another step this season, and I don’t see why he won’t score at least 20, but I think he will be a consistent 30 goal scorer throughout his career in Montreal.
Alex Newhook has the benefit of practicing alongside some of the NHL’s best in Colorado, and while the Avalanche gave up on him, his experience alongsider Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar, is invaluable. He needs to work on his play in the faceoff circle, but his speed makes him so effective in all three zones, and he has a sneaky good shot. Newhook will benefit from the increase in minutes, and playing in an environment with reasonable expectations, he has the potential to feature on a line that will give him ample scoring opportunities, which should put him right in the sweet spot to score 20.
Juraj Slafkovsky has been labelled a bust, an awkward skater and a player who doesn’t have any awareness in the offensive zone. He is only 19 years old, and the potential is there, Kent Hughes selected the player he believed would be the best in two or three years, not right away – and yes, I still think Logan Cooley’s goal was impressive – but Slafkovsky will benefit from the patient approach. He can take over the game, create space for himself, and would definitely increase his goal output if he shot the puck a little more, which he can do with one-timers, snapshots and heavy slapshots.
There may not be eight 20 goal scorers in ’24-’25, but I think all of these players can score at least 20 goals. If not this season, then perhaps the next one, but the potential is there. This team isn’t expected to do too much, but don’t tell the players that, it’s all business for them. I left Rafael Harvey-Pinard off of the list, but I also believe he could come very close to 20 also.
dark. Next. Making Case For Dach To Center Caufield
Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!