Here's what the team looks like headed into the offseason:
C: Drouin, Danault, De La Rose (Extras: Evans, McCarron, Froese, Vejdemo, Alain)
LW: Pacioretty, Galchenyuk, Byron, Carr, Deslauriers
RW: Gallagher, Shaw, Lehkonen, Hudon, Scherbak
LD: Alzner, Mete, Reilly, Schlemko
RD: Weber, Petry, Juulsen, Benn
G: Price, Niemi, Lindgren
The most glaring holes are at C (either a 1st or 2nd) and LD. They've got some strength at the wings, and with Max as a UFA after next season, it seems entirely plausible the team will deal him for centre or defence help. They could also re-sign Max and trade Galchenyuk for a centre/defenceman. They currently have $62 committed but need to re-sign Danault and De La Rose.
Weber, Byron, Shaw and Evans all underwent major surgeries this offseason and could all miss training camp or part of the regular season. Not sure how much that factors into the team's offseason moves besides adding depth, which they'll do anyway.
Obvious candidates to not be back next season are Schlemko and Alzner. Mete and Juulsen showed enough that they could make next season's squad, but then again a little seasoning with Bouchard couldn't hurt.
At centre, De La Rose stepped into the Plekanec role after the trade and looked... ok. He just turned 23 and was jerked around a bit early in his career so I think it would be unwise to give up on him even though his upside might be limited. Some think he's a future 3C, while others think he'll never score enough to be a regular. He can skate and has size and can play the wings if the team somehow gets some centre depth, so it's worth giving him another show me deal.
Scherbak was another guy who took a step forward but not an entirely conclusive one. He can play in the pros and isn't the defensive liability he was early on, but he's had trouble staying healthy and developing consistency. I think if he's healthy the team has to ride him and see what they've got.
Lehkonen and Hudon look good. Solid top-9 types.
Carr scored a bit but CJ doesn't seem to like him much. Still feel like he's the poor man's Gallagher.
And that brings us to the draft. If they grab Svechnikov or Zadina at 3, they've got themselves a winger who's ready to step in. It would make trading Galchenyuk or Pacioretty go down a little easier. If they draft Hughes, who I think they might like, he might go straight from college even if he's not ready. Otherwise, none of the other picks look like they'll be ready to step in right away.
They have 5 picks in the first two rounds and 4 in the next two. Without exaggeration this draft is the most important thing the Habs will do this decade and next. The opportunity exists to totally re-stock the team for 2021. I don't think they need to reach for a centre at 3 because they could also package a couple of picks to move up to land a Veleno/Hayton-type. They could also get another first rounder in any Max or Alex deal, but that would signal that they're in a rebuild.
Lots of intrigue surrounding Notre Dame star Evans. Surprised he didn't get more Hobey Baker consideration. Had surgery for sports hernia at the end of the Frozen Four, which I think guarantees he won't start the season in Montreal. Takes a while to recover, and Laval needs some star power. Evans needs to get bulkier and find a way to survive without great speed. Vejdemo is even more mysterious. Solid third-liner in Sweden and can really skate. Like De La Rose, I feel they might rush him because he has wheels and can play defence. He can return to Djurgarden if he doesn't make the big club, but I could see him going to Laval if centre depth appears shaky.
Offseason priorities:
1. don't fuck up the draft 2. acquire one or two centres 3. find someone to play with Weber 4. pray for good health for Price and Weber 5. re-sign Danault
If they do these things, the future won't look so gloomy.
_________________
|