Three positives for the 2024-25 Canadiens

Honourable mentions

Sean Farrell is another player who has great skill and next year, should he continue improve should be a big year for the undersized forward. The fact that the Habs have a fair amount of smaller forwards in the lineups makes his path tougher. I don’t see a world where he and Mesar are in the same lineup.

Riley Kidney is a natural centre, who is the same height as Nick Suzuki but is much lighter. Even with some added weight, the Canadiens have a solid group of centres that I would think are ahead of him. Unless he becomes a very good playmaker, penalty killer or shooter, I don’t see a future in Montreal for him. 

Jakub Dobes is also another good player, but he is likely another year or two away from any NHL playing time. He would need to leapfrog Cayden Primeau or a trade would need to be made to warrant any playing time. Dobes has potential, but he needs more playing time in Laval before his NHL potential is truly measured.

Final thoughts

Free agent signings and the draft will also add different elements to the Canadiens roster. There is also a chance that Hughes makes a trade at the draft. But those are unknowns.

Health, growth and prospects are a little easier to predict and gauge. They will directly impact the Canadiens lineup next year. And will ultimately determine whether the team pushes for the playoffs or not.