Frank Seravalli thinks Montreal is close to contention

The Montreal Canadiens have been mucking through the thick mud of a rebuild, which can be a slow process.

But playoff hopes haven't gone away, there is a firm belief within the Canadiens locker room that they have the pieces to battle for a Stanley Cup. Internal belief and the roster being capable of getting to the playoffs are two different things. But the Habs are building from the ground up and the young core is ready to take the next step.

Hockey insider Frank Seravalli believes that the Canadiens are close to becoming a contender, on the basis that they have depth and have added some firepower in the draft and through trade. The blueline depth was glaringly obvious before, but with the Patrik Laine acquisition, dealing from a strength cemented that fact even more. With more talent coming through the pipeline, the Habs are only going to get younger, faster and more talented.

It's hard to argue that the Habs aren't close - this season may be a little too soon, but there is definitely increased reason for hope.

Things need to go right, and the may

If Montreal has any hopes of playing beyond the end of their 82-game schedule, there will need to be an improvement on the power play. Likewise and maybe even entwined with the special teams is the health of the roster. If Laine, Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach can stay healthy and take a step forward this season, that is essentially a complete second line.

Joshua Roy isn't even considered yet and he is very likely to make a big case to play on the second line. Even if he doesn't make it there, he will be a huge piece on the third line. Essentially, Martin St. Louis has an embarrassment of options in terms of guys that he can interchange and make his offence a formidable one.

There are enough players to balance out two good power play units. The top one will be pretty ridiculous with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky in front of the net, Laine on his off-wing and either Mike Matheson or Lane Hutson. I think it would be hard not to get some great production out of the top unit and then Hutson, Roy, Newhook and whoever else St. Louis decides to slot in on the second unit, the team is going to be exciting.

At some point, Michael Hage and Ivan Demidov will also join the lineup, Hutson will probably move up to the top unit at some point. I know I put an onus on the power play talk, but the group should do plenty of damage at five-on-five also. But one thing that should help Hutson ease in, is having so many different options to set up one-touch passes to to create scoring chances on a dime.

There are so many options that will join soon, especially on the blueline with Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom. The offence is coming along pretty well. Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau will also be looking to hold down the fort.

I am not sure where they will measure up this year, but I think it wouldn't be crazy for the Canadiens to find their way in and make some noise.