The Montreal Canadiens embarked on a rebuild, cleaning house and bringing in a new coach, general manager and vice president of hockey operations.
Since then, the club has added high-quality talent through the NHL draft and traded away expiring contracts. These moves have strengthened the current club, but most importantly laid the foundation for a legitimate contender for the long haul. From the starting goalie of the future to an elite number one potential offensive defenseman and two cornerstone wingers.
If you could become the GM of either the Senators or the Canadiens who are you picking? https://t.co/H2asmmmKUm pic.twitter.com/RhuTCsUnQ1
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) August 6, 2024
The Ottawa Senators were the second team considered in the exercise and Bissonette swooned over the Habs, saying they could make some real noise in the next couple of seasons. While the Senators have had the same group for a while, a group that should be competing in the playoffs still hasn't taken that step. Ryan Whitney, the second half of the Spittin Chiclets team, further stated that the Habs have Jacob Fowler, who he compared to Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Roy.
Habs more promise than Senators?
Certainly, any Canadiens fan is more than aware that the team has promise and high prospects for a bright future. From Fowler between the pipes, he was mixing it up with Boston College, where he dominated the NCAA during his freshman season. Then Lane Hutson who is ready to embark on his rookie NHL season and Ivan Demidov who is looking to tear up the KHL and make the jump to the NHL for the 2025-26 season.
Ottawa has built a strong core with Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot on the backend and newly signed Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. Then up front, they have captain Brady Tkachuk, with Tim Stuetzle, Josh Norris and Drake Batherson. Let's not forget Claude Giroux as well, who at one point was battling Sidney Crosby in the playoffs, looking like one of the league's premiere forwards.
Now, the Habs run to the Stanley Cup final was much of a flash in the pan, but the Canadiens weren't exactly loaded up for that run. They have cleaned house since, with only a few players remaining from that time, but the Senators have failed to make any real noise, even while the Habs have torn down and started building back up.
For any Habs fan, we are not supposed to pull for a Canadian rival team. But to hear from guys that are well adversed about all 32 teams, it's reassuring that they feel the Habs have such a bright future. Though it would be nice if all the Canadian teams were competitive.