Renee: Ivan Demidov just signed an eight-year extension, and the Canadiens are sitting second in the Atlantic. Is this the year Montreal becomes a true contender? I'm Renee, and we're about to break it all down.
Joel: I'm Joel, and we've got a lot to unpack. From that massive commitment to Demidov to the biggest strengths and question marks on this roster.
Renee: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, the only daily sports podcast that bleeds bleu, blanc, et rouge. We're your hosts, Renee and Joel, and today we're diving into our Canadiens power rankings.
Joel: We're looking at where this team stands in the Atlantic, what's working, what's a concern, and yes, we're going to give you a season win projection. Stick around.
Renee: First up, we're breaking down that second-place standing in the Atlantic. Then we're getting into the strengths and the big question marks. And finally, we're projecting just how good this team can be. Let's get into it.
Renee: Alright Joel, let's start with the elephant in the room. The Canadiens are sitting second in the Atlantic Division. We talked about this in the mailbag, but now it's official. How real is this?
Joel: It's very real, Renee. This isn't a fluke. They've got the depth and the star power to back it up. Look at the roster: Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, and now Demidov locked in for eight years. That's a core that can compete with anyone.
Renee: And we called it yesterday, remember? We said they'd hold onto that second spot. Are we feeling confident about that prediction right now?
Joel: Absolutely. The Atlantic is tough with Boston, Toronto, and Florida, but Montreal has the pieces to stay right there. They're not just a playoff team; they're a team that can win a round or two.
Renee: Let's talk about that next game, because it's a big one. September 29th, they're in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs. That's a statement game right out of the gate.
Joel: No question. Toronto's always a measuring stick. If Montreal can go into Scotiabank Arena and take two points, that sends a message to the whole division.
Renee: So what's the biggest reason they're ranked second? Is it the offense, the defense, the goaltending?
Joel: It's the balance. They've got scoring up front, a mobile blue line with Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, and solid goaltending with Montembeault and Dobes. When you have that kind of balance, you can win in different ways.
Renee: And let's not forget Demidov. Eight-year extension, runner-up for rookie of the year. That's a huge piece.
Joel: It's a franchise-altering move. Locking up a player like that shows the organization believes they're in a contending window. And Demidov's only going to get better.
Renee: We've got to ask, though: is there any concern about them being overhyped? We've seen teams with high expectations stumble.
Joel: There's always that risk, but this core has been through the rebuild. They've learned how to win. And with the additions they've made, they're deeper than they've been in years.
Renee: Alright, so second in the Atlantic, feeling good. But what are the real strengths and weaknesses? Let's dive into that next. Stick with us.
Renee: Back to the breakdown. Joel, strengths first. What makes this Canadiens team dangerous?
Joel: The top-six is elite. Suzuki is a number-one center, Caufield is a pure sniper, Slafkovsky brings size and skill, and Demidov is a game-breaker. That's four guys who can take over a game.
Renee: And they've got depth behind them too. Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Patrik Laine. That's a lot of offensive firepower.
Joel: Exactly. And on the back end, Lane Hutson is a power-play quarterback, and Noah Dobson adds another right-shot option. That's a huge upgrade.
Renee: Defensively, they've got a logjam, which we talked about yesterday. But that's a good problem to have, right?
Joel: It is, but it's also a question mark. They've got Guhle, Reinbacher, Carrier, Struble, Xhekaj... someone's going to be odd man out. That could lead to a trade, which we predicted.
Renee: Let's talk goaltending. Montembeault and Dobes, that's your NHL tandem. How confident are you in that?
Joel: I'm confident, but there's a question mark. Montembeault has proven he can be a starter, and Dobes has shown flashes. But can they carry the load for a full season? That's the big question.
Renee: And what about special teams? That's often the difference between good and great.
Joel: The power play should be dangerous with Hutson, Caufield, and Demidov. The penalty kill is a bit more of a concern, especially without Gallagher, who was a warrior on the PK. But they've got guys like Evans and Danault who can step up.
Renee: Speaking of Gallagher, that was a tough move, trading him to Vancouver after 14 seasons. How does that affect the room?
Joel: You lose a leader, no doubt. But hockey is a business, and the young core is ready to take over that leadership role. Suzuki and Caufield have been around long enough now.
Renee: So the strengths are clear: elite top-six, improved blue line, and a solid goalie tandem. The question marks are the bottom-six depth, the blue line logjam, and the penalty kill. Fair?
Joel: Fair. And I'd add one more: consistency. Can they bring it every night? That's what separates contenders from pretenders.
Renee: Alright, so with all that in mind, let's look ahead. What's a realistic season outlook? Win projection time.
Renee: Okay Joel, it's time to put a number on it. How many wins do you see this team getting?
Joel: I'm going to say 47 wins. That puts them in the 105-point range. That should be good for second or third in the Atlantic and home-ice in the first round.
Renee: 47 wins, huh? That's a bold number. What's the path to get there?
Joel: They need to win the games they're supposed to win. They've got the talent to beat anyone, but they need to take care of business against the bottom teams. That's how you get to 47.
Renee: And what about the playoffs? We said yesterday they'd hold second place. Does that mean a deep run?
Joel: I think they can win a round, maybe two. The East is loaded, but this team has the pieces to make some noise. A conference final isn't out of the question.
Renee: Let's talk about the X-factor. Who's the guy that pushes them over the top?
Joel: It's got to be Demidov. If he takes another step and plays like a true superstar, this team's ceiling is huge. He was already rookie of the year runner-up; imagine what he does in year two.
Renee: And what about the goaltending? We said Montembeault and Dobes. Is that enough?
Joel: If they're both healthy and playing well, yes. But if one of them struggles, they might need to look at the trade market. We predicted a trade for the blue line, but goalie depth could be a need too.
Renee: So here's my prediction: 48 wins, second in the Atlantic, and a second-round appearance. Am I too optimistic?
Joel: Not at all. I think that's realistic. This is a good hockey team, and the future is now.
Renee: Alright, so to recap: second in the Atlantic, strengths in the top-six and blue line, question marks in goal and penalty kill. And a 47 to 48 win projection. That's your power ranking.
Renee: That's our show for today. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and share it with your fellow Habs fans.
Joel: And follow us on social media for more Canadiens coverage all season long.
Renee: Until next time, this is Renee and Joel saying, Go Habs Go!