Chris Nilan believes the Habs need more grit in the lineup

The Montreal Canadiens aren't the most physical team in the National Hockey League, and that puts pressure on the team when playoff talks start.

Montreal isn't in that position for the time being, and likely for another couple of seasons, but the young and skilled players need some insulation. If you look through the current configuration of the Habs' top six forwards, there isn't a lot of physicality or intimidation. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield instill fear in the opposition because of their skills, but physically, not so much. Juraj Slafkovsky can handle himself, but hitting isn't a big part of his game.

I know that Slafkovsky is still developing, so there is a chance that he will become the insulation that Suzuki and Caufield need, and then they will be in business. On the second line, Kirby Dach is slotted between Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook. Laine is a large specimen and he plays with a bit of an edge, but there is a need for some physicality, and Newhook and Dach aren't really that physically imposing; although I think Dach hasn't been himself.

I don't expect that the Habs will know what the top six is going to look like for the long run for a little while yet. Former Canadiens tough guy Chris Nilan mentioned during an episode of The Sick Podcast Raw Knuckles that the Habs need to add some toughness into the lineup.

In front of the net and in the corners, the Canadiens don't have many players who can retrieve the puck and drive it to the net with brute strength. Laine has the frame to do it and so do Slafkovsky and Dach, but there isn't a meanness to their game. Many of the top teams have talented players, who also play with an edge and this contributes to their success.

If you watch the Florida Panthers play, guys like Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk stand out. They are guys who will do anything to win and they are like spark plugs for the team. The pair were an absolute pain in the Edmonton Oilers side during the Stanley Cup final, and in my opinion, they were massive for the Panthers' Stanley Cup win.

Big, strong and physical teams that have a balance of skill and grit are the models the Habs should follow. It is the best way for teams to handle the marathon which is the NHL regular season. I can't argue with Nilan, and I think if there is an option to draft a guy who can bring some grit to the roster, that should be looked into.

Relying heavily on Josh Anderson, Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble is a tall ask and that group includes only one forward. I do think that the Habs will add some grit going forward, but I don't believe that the Habs have any top six forwards who are physical and gritty within the system. But only time will tell, some players exceed their perceived expectations.

Is there an answer within the system?

I think the Canadiens will need a bit of luck and good drafting to bring in the piece(s) that the organization would benefit from acquiring. I like the idea of having guys like Florian Xhekaj and Luke Tuch in the lineup over the next couple of seasons, but I don't currently see top-six potential in either of them. Owen Beck might be a guy that is in Laval, who has the highest potential to reach the top six, though he is an ideal third liner and he doesn't qualify as a gritty, tough guy.

Perhaps once Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton make some decisions about the lineup for the 2025-2026, they will move on from a few forwards. With some spots to fill, they could look at the free agent market. I think guys like Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia could be moved, and this will be a great opportunity to beef up.

As far as the draft goes, I think it's in the Habs' best interest to draft the best player(s) available in the first round of the draft. If that means the Habs don't go with a guy who leans more hardnosed and gritty, then so be it. But if it comes down to a guy who brings a blend of skill and grit, I think that might be a smart addition.