Patrik Laine acknowledges Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson

The city of Montreal and the Montreal Canadiens knew that Patrik Laine was a special talent, but the guy fits like a glove with the club.

While he is the one who puts his shots in the net, the setups he has received on his three goals are huge factors. That fact didn't get missed by Laine who gave Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki their flowers. No. 14 and 48 have factored in on all of Laine's goals, developing some chemistry that he sparked the power play.

Laine hasn't looked like a guy who has just returned from injury at all; he is involved in the forecheck and the backcheck, combining smart position and long reach to cause problems for the opposition. The goals and offensive zone work were expected, but his dedication to playing well overall is impressive. Laine is only more dangerous when he is forcing turnovers because he is causing problems with the puck and battling hard when he doesn't have it.

The only thing worse than Laine with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone is when he is wide open waiting for a pass. Worse for the opposition of course, because they are trying to prevent a pass, but Laine has a knack for getting open. Luckily for him, Suzuki and Hutson have the skills to make acrobatic passes to Laine in his sweet spot.

Laine is a special player and if we needed any more to solidify that, Hutson's comments about Laine do him justice. Hutson, perhaps the brightest spot on the Habs defence and their number one power play quarterback gave a stamp of approval for Laine. Laner as Patty Laine puts it, seems in awe of Laine and his otherworldly skill in the offensive zone.

I don't foresee this top unit becoming a huge problem for opponents, because it has a little bit of everything, and that's with Juraj Slafkovsky underperforming. Hutson assumes the blue line role, Slafkovsky net front, Suzuki on his strong side, and Laine and Cole Caufield playing on their off-wing and in the bumper position.

There is help on the way

Montreal is ever-improving, constantly pushing ahead and trying to fight their way into an eventual playoff berth. Right now it is tough - and when you notice the guys not here yet - you understand why. While there are core pieces in place, there are some players that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are very high on.

Logan Mailloux is turning in a great start to his sophomore season with the Laval Rocket, with the intent of building on a strong rookie year. The Belle-River, Ontario native was a first-team All-star in year one, ultimately, finishing the year with 14-33-47 totals in 72 games played. Mailloux has his eyes set on Montreal, but the AHL seasoning will serve him well.

David Reinbacher has been out to start the season, which is a definite hit to his development time. But the former fifth-overall selection in the 2023 draft has shown flashes with the Laval Rocket, of his footspeed, physical presence, heavy shot and hockey IQ. Montreal's right defence has two promising pillars with Reinbacher and Mailloux.

Ivan Demidov is probably one of the most anticipated players that the club has drafted in a very long time. Currently mixing it up in the Kontinental Hockey League with SKA St. Petersburg, Demidov has played limited minutes, but continues to draw high praise, despite all of that. Demidov has recorded 6-14-20 through 33 games and often looked like the best player on the team.

Michael Hage was the Habs' next pick at the 2024 draft, and the native of Mississauga, Ontario native has popped off in his freshman season with the University of Michigan. Hage has scored nine goals and eight assists through his first 13 games in the college ranks. Demidov is a bona fide top-line player, and I think Hage could be a top-line centre in the NHL.

Jacob Fowler is last but not least because he is likely to arrive a little later, in the interest of being overprepared for the Habs crease. But you can't look back at his freshman season at Boston College and not be impressed. And still, Fowler continues to put up videogame numbers and performances, on route to an 11-2-1 start this season, highlighted by four shutouts.

The future is bright, and the best yet to come.