What's Next For The Montreal Canadiens? 2024 Off-Season Plan

What's Next For The Montreal Canadiens? 2024 Off-Season Plan
How will the Montreal Canadiens attempt at moving forward and making their team more competitive in 2024-25? How can they bounce back and move back into a playoffs spot after not making the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. I examine the past season, team roster and determine their best plan to improve the team. We address NHL Trade Rumours regarding Montreal Canadiens trade rumours and how they should proceed on that. We analyze their 2024 NHL Prospects and deals they may try to make at the draft. They are in good shape with draft picks in the 2024 NHL Draft. We discuss the 2024 NHL Draft prospects they could select as well. There have been plenty of NHL Trade rumours 2024 regarding this team and I am sure there will be some changes. We address the Montreal Canadiens rumours and whether they stand a good chance at making some off-season moves. We discuss other NHL free agents 2024 that they could explore signing as well. We will see if any of the Montreal Canadiens trade talk will come to be or what direction this team will head in. In a market like Montreal Canadiens there will always be plenty of NHL trade talk when things aren't going well.
2024 nhl free agent class
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[@TopShelfHockey]

Let me know your expectations for the Habs this off-season

[@habinations]

i see you still say dumb things . i would make fun of you ,but what would be the point ?

[@TopShelfHockey]

@@habinations what's this supposed to mean?

[@habinations]

@@TopShelfHockey i remember you but you dont remember me . nvm .

[@ethanrehel1746]

Push for a wild card spot

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@ethanrehel1746 During the off season. You're a comedian!

[@99deys]

I like when u talk about Montreal!

[@caydenst.laurent5032]

Would u consider packaging Anderson or Gallagher with the pick to move back to 8-12 and take a forward there? IMO the best thing Hughes could do is get Dvorak, Gallagher, and or Anderson out to create cap space to get players who will give a better bang for there buck next szn. The top of the draft is loaded with dman that the habs just simply don’t need. We reached in the draft last year let’s not reach for a forward this year and try to clear up some cap to bring in a stamkos, guentzel, or marchessault.

[@jacktufts4712]

I see the defense consisting of Matheson, Guhle, Xhekaj, Hutson, Mailloux, Savard and Harris/Engstrom.

[@doaftheloaf]

not engstrom. not yet. also, what about struble? reinbacher might get some time at the end of the season. barron i expect to be traded.

[@rich.jerkov]

I like it but 2 to 3 rookies is a lot. I'd like to start with 1, others in AHL and slowly bring them in. I think Harris is a fine 6th D. Boring? Sure. But that's a good thing for a young 6th defenseman. He can help you out replacing injuries in a higher position without looking foolish. He could probably contribute 25pts if he plays a whole season.

[@user-vn3ls5ei9o]

You forgot Struble, Barron, Norlinder, Kovacevic

[@doaftheloaf]

@@user-vn3ls5ei9o I doubt norlinder gets qualified.

[@doaftheloaf]

@@rich.jerkov if only one rookie, then hutson. but I think mailloux is also ready. I’d add barron or harris to the jets pick to move up or get a legit top 6 forward.

[@user-vf8zf1bm5r]

Anyone who actually watched Hudson’s 2 games knows that he will make the opening day roster next year.

[@rich.jerkov]

He did have trouble defensively on occasion. Depends if they believe they've got a good shot at the playoffs. If so, they might play it safe and play him in the AHL for a few months and recall him later. When would depend on his defensive adaptation to the pros.

[@itsjayv8807]

@@rich.jerkov Even though he might be ready. I really wouldn't mind if Hutson and Reinbacher dominate together in Laval next year.

[@user-vf8zf1bm5r]

You’re both right, there is absolutely no rush to have him in the nhl next year, a year in the AHL can only be positive for his development!

[@jeffreynoury1637]

I have no problem packaging some assets once again, but I feel like we need to get a bit bigger, and get a bit grittier.

[@robertdufour5386]

Great breakdown Mike! Habs have so many contracts, I wonder if they qualify Ylonen?

[@kingcaru2904]

He was terrible I hope not

[@doaftheloaf]

@@kingcaru2904 lifetime fringe player. RHP is, too.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

It's only 880k to qualify Ylönen. It would be crazy not to do that. He can play on your bottom six and I'd have him on the roster for the couple of extra points he'd get the team from shootouts for that price.

[@JohnWeichel]

Yes

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Anaheim and San Jose could use defense and trade forwards? Columbus?

[@andrewwills8516]

Brendan has been becoming a better player under St.Louis,his game has become smarter...I have heard alot about other players,and Brendan has been overlooked because of that I believe 🤔good on him for learning some new tricks for his bag GO HABS GO 💕

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

*a lot

[@randylavoy6196]

Lindstrom or Eiserman....as long as Hughes adds SCORING..!!! I LIKE MARTY NECAS ...OR HOLTZ ..!!!

[@Jim-cz6om]

I really can't see them bringing Stamkos. But I can see Harris, Kovacevic, and Anderson being traded.

[@andrewwills8516]

Free agents mentor roll models promise to be traded to contenders 🤔you gotta Love Hughes and Gorton because there are so many assets to work with Habsolutely genius 😎

[@rich.jerkov]

Celibrini, Demidov, Lindstrom, Eiserman and Iggy would be the top 5 forwards. There's no way at least 2 dmen go in top 5-6 . We can get a great forward. If hell freezes over and top 5 is all forwards, I'll gladly take Levshunov. But he's going top 3 for sure.

[@doaftheloaf]

drop eiserman from that list and insert catton. ducks are likeliest team to go defense. sharks could too if they're not top 2.

[@rich.jerkov]

@@doaftheloaf Catton is too frail. I like him, I really do, but frail and so-so speed always drops at the draft. Zach Benson was 5-6 on almost all lists. He dropped to 13th. I expect Catton to go 10-14th. Silayev, Buium, Dickinson will all go before him. IMO of course... Not sure why people have given up on Eiserman. Why could he not learn from St-Louis like Caufield. He's basically what Caufield was with 4" and 30lb extra. Plus he doesn't have Jack Hughes on his line. Not in my top 3, but we need goals and he'll provide them.

[@doaftheloaf]

@@rich.jerkov eiserman doesn’t have the work ethic of caufield, and at least CC manages to not embarrass himself defensively. catton is an intelligent player and he’ll stick around the NHL for a long time. re: benson. he spent the year in the NHL. eiserman is a huge risk to bust spectacularly.

[@Slicky-14]

Unless the player they trade for is near the core age of the Habs Hughes said he’s not going for it until they’re ready to win so forget it

[@brendanaucoin]

Line up 2024, Suzuki, Cole, Zegras, Dach, Slaf, Mesar, Newhook ,Roy, and Lindstrom with the best 4th line in decades Beck. Evans, and Armia - they can score and defend so we trade for Zegras with Reinbacher. use pick 5 for Lindstrom. Lots of possibilities but a trade up of #25 and a D to get Iginla... Lots of trade capital with 11 D and lots of picks.

[@davechan8613]

What do they do with Gally and Anderson?

[@andrewoconnor4761]

@@davechan8613 Trade Winnipeg's first for some team to take one of them, and full salary.

[@user-vf8zf1bm5r]

I have a question for you. Are you a Habs fan? Do you think Zegras would make a difference? Sorry, that’s two questions lol

[@brendanaucoin]

@@davechan8613 buyout or trade but Gally will serve a 40 point season butt that is generous.

[@doaftheloaf]

where to begin…there’s no chance in hell mesar makes the team. I wouldn’t start lindstrom in mtl if we get him either. he needs at least another year, and we don’t want a repeat of KK. evans can’t score for shit. don’t trade reinbacher. what dman are you adding to the jets pick to move into the top ten? because iggy is not lasting past the flames pick.

[@Davidov956]

Cole Hutson is on their radar

[@doaftheloaf]

he’s a shrimp like lane, but not as talented. I want to limit how many smurfs we have on defense. leave cole for someone else.

[@truknight1986]

I mean it’s delusional that any big name free agents want to come play in Montreal. Unless they are chasing the bag who it doesn’t seem that way. Best way for them to build is the draft.

[@norsegamingtv1686]

Tired of this Zegras trade rumors..honestly trading for Zegras is not come cheap by any stretch..Verbeek is one GM that will want a big value in return coming back..he will listen but won't give up a player for crumbs.

[@user-we2yt5on9b]

Zegras would be a poor trade at any price for Montreal unless they are looking for a new Drouin.

[@Simonsays48]

-Dubois gets Buyout -MTL draft Demidov and the fans are getting crazy -MTL trade for Zegras during the NHL draft and everyone is getting crazy -MTL Signed Dubois 5M/1y Zegras - Suzuki - Caufield Dubois - Dach - Slafkovsky Roy - Newhook - Armia Gallagher - Evans - Anderson Matheson - Guhle Hutson - Savard Xhekaj - Struble/Barron Montembeault Primeau Is this team makes the playoff?

[@doaftheloaf]

no. wtf you want PLDiva for? a buyout one year into an 8 year deal and you’re falling over yourself to get a clearly toxic player. he spent much of the year on L4 because he clearly didn’t give a shit. there’s a reason teams want rid of him so quickly. if we wanted him we could have had him many times over. he pouted like a bitch when we dealt for dach instead. he wants out whenever he has to change his own diaper. getting dubois would be bar none the stupidest move we could possibly make. thank goodness kent hughes is the GM and not you.

[@efaanshyper]

No real Habs fan wants anything to do with Dubois , he's a rat and has attitude problems. Everything else on your list is fine.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

5M? That's steep. I don't want him on the team, he has proven to be cancer. He is 25 and has no motivation, it's clear that he isn't going to learn.

[@user-we2yt5on9b]

For Montreal to go after Zegras would rank right up there with going for Drouin. A fourth round pick would be too high a price.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

Good joke. Zegras has two seasons over 60 points at age 23. How many times has Drouin done that in ten seasons? Exactly *zero* times.

[@user-we2yt5on9b]

@@incumbentvinyl9291 Drouin being a bum does not mean Zegras is great. Getting 15 points in 31 games this year does not mean Zegras is great. Being a career minus 40 does not mean Zegras is great. Anaheim wanting to dump him does not mean Zegras is great. Fawning over a primadonna like a 14 year old girl because he has scored 3 peewee style lacrosse goals does not make him great. Scoring 55 goals in 211 career games does not make him great. He may be a third line showboat, but not someone to lead you into the playoffs, let alone a Cup.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@user-we2yt5on9b Ever wondered why he played only 31 games? Yeah, I didn't think so. Have you realized what team Zegras has played for his whole career? What is the combined goal difference for the team for the years that Zegras has been in the league? Yeah, makes perfect sense. A career minus 40 says nothing, just like it says nothing at all about Bedard that he is a career *-44* after only 68 games. To put things in perspective, Ovechkin is a career +45. You don't understand hockey, it's that simple. I'm simply telling you that the difference between the two players in terms of potential at that stage in their careers is substantial. Zegras is a promising young player, and has proven that he can be an effective offensive threat in the league, unlike Drouin. Of course, this does not mean that he is ''great'' by default, or if he will even reach his career numbers to date in the future, but the potential is without any doubt there.

[@user-we2yt5on9b]

@@incumbentvinyl9291 the minor leagues are full of players with potential and talent. The hall of fame is full of players with character. Your point about Ovechkin is valid. A great goal scorer. I have even seen him on his own side of centre a few times. You can cheer on Zegras all you want, but as you say it is potential. Perhaps you should reserve judgement a little until you see something that he has done rather than what he might be capable of doing; or not. Until then he is just the favorite of 14 year old girls.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@user-we2yt5on9b Actually they aren't. The AHL and ECHL are not ''full of players with potential and talent''. The vast majority are decent professionals with plenty of experience. Most never even get to sniff the sweet scent of the NHL. Why are you even bringing that up? The two players in question have minimal minor league experience, only 36 games combined! I'm not cheering for Zegras. You seem lost. I'm merely stating the fact that Zegras at 23 has a higher potential ceiling than Drouin had at 23. ''Perhaps you should reserve judgement a little until you see something that he has done rather than what he might be capable of doing; or not'' He has already played four seasons in the NHL and has two +60 point seasons. You sound like you think this is some kind of minimal sample size. It isn't. He is a proven NHLer and the potential is obvious to anyone who knows hockey and has seen him play. I only now got your point about ''14 year old girls'', this mystified me greatly when you first mentioned it. Are you talking about his looks and general flair? I obviously didn't take this into consideration as it has nothing to do with hockey. I couldn't care less if toddlers adored him, doesn't change him as a hockey player. It's also worth noting that graded as an L1 and Drouin is graded as an L3. Massive difference, and further proves my point.

[@christopherstauffer8487]

You can't seriously bring back Marty and expect a different result.

[@fredharris9413]

Teepp Tamkos from Tampa is not a good fit for the rebuilding Habs ! We need to shed vets not add ...

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

We lost veteran leadership last season. Adding a prominent one of this caliber would only be positive. He just turned 34, he has lots of hockey in him. From the progress we've seen the past two seasons, and the amount of draft assets and talent is already available, I think it's not out of the question to start turning the ship this off season. A playoff spot is not out of the question.

[@ericb.8023]

Lindstrom or Iggy2.0 to the habs please!

[@Ole66]

They should move xhakej to the wing. You can’t have your enforcer be a defenceman and Anderson was not a good signing from the start. He’s never scored more than 30 goals at any level

[@doaftheloaf]

they’ll have a xhekaj on the wing in 2-3 years. florian could be just the punch our bottom six needs. and our defense needs toughness, so leave arby right where he is.

[@gonzo8450]

I think Matheson is gone if not at the draft, later this year. His value is way too high to not benefit from that. I would draft Parekh or Lidstrom

[@brendanaucoin]

Matheson for 2nd or 3rd pick a get Lindstrom. Get Iginla with our 5th pick etc..

[@doaftheloaf]

@@brendanaucoin you are delusional.

[@nicholascrowell8189]

As much as I'd like to see it I really don't think stammer is in the picture they want to look long term there looking for a young guy an I don't blame them. I really hope it's not zegras

[@nicholascrowell8189]

Heck I'd like to see em sign Reinhart or marchessault tbh

[@matthewkabel6246]

Lol you'd rather overpay on the UFA market rather than wanting a young elite playmaker with superstar potential

[@KeithGreene-wu7bu]

You are lost Anderson and Armia are keepers size and speed and kill is playoff hockey they will bunch back when playing for something on Brendan Gallagher trade some draft picks and him away

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Great Video, as usual, Mike. I don't know what to expect with The Montreal Canadiens. With Jeff Gorton over Kent Hughes, I don't know if there are going to be the same mistakes that were made with The Rangers, when John Davidson & Jeff Gorton started to make moves that put them the Salary Cap troubles, such as with Jacob Trouba, who is good, but, is so overpaid for a Bottom Line Defenseman making Top Pair money. Even though Hughes is The GM, you've got to ask how much involvement will Gorton have in acquisitions. Let me know what you think.

[@brendanaucoin]

Sometimes making mistakes form the greatest rewards at least that's the way it's seems. we have more Picks and tradeables than anyone and only 2 or 3 places to fill We have 11 D with 1or2 years experience in NHL, MORE PICKS THAN ANYONE ELSE and only 2 or 3 places to fill . Thats our problem!

[@mariovaccarella6854]

@@brendanaucoin Thank You for your comment. I'm not sure as to what you're talking about, when you say Mistakes & We & Picks. Maybe, you can clarify

[@27metro34]

List of Players I want for the Habs Kent Johnson Yegor Chinakhov Jack Quinn JJ Peterka Cole Sillinger Arthur Kaaliyev Connor Zary Alexander Holtz Lukas Reichel

[@user-vf8zf1bm5r]

Give me Kent Johnson! MSL would be a positive influence on this young man

[@doaftheloaf]

johnson, absolutely. if hughes hasn't already asked he should. i'll pass on chinakhov. doesn't move the needle enough. i'd like quinn, but i can't see the sabres moving him, same for peterka. we could give peyton krebs a try. sillinger...3C upside like his dad. i see owen beck in this role long term, so i'll probably pass. kaliyev has talent, but i don't think we're the team that will unlock it. he should go to a team like SJ or chicago where he'll play a ton. in fact, trade him for lukas reichel, zary isn't going anywhere. what are we offering the devils that gets us holtz? reichel managed to not score alongside bedard. how did he do that?

[@mtlhabsss]

I’ll take Quinn everyday of the week and twice Sundays. Kid has a tone of potential

[@doaftheloaf]

@@mtlhabsss which is why buffalo isn’t moving him.

[@user-lo3gx9lq9r]

Guys like Stamkos play for one team till the end . End of conversation .

[@oldhab7890]

Toronto is going to offer Stamkos 13 million per year for 7 years. Or at least I hope they do.

[@user-lo3gx9lq9r]

@@oldhab7890 lol i guess your being sarcastic

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

Just like Lafleur, Sundin and Bourque, right? Stamkos just turned 34 and has three over PPG seasons in a row. Is the Bolts are serious about doing only a severe undercut when it comes to salary, then why would he even feel welcome there? It seems the Bolts want to move on and are willing to keep him only for a fraction of what he is worth. He has plenty of hockey in him, unlike for example a Tavares who is younger than him but hasn't aged well with his subpar skating.

[@user-lo3gx9lq9r]

@@incumbentvinyl9291 Why would the disrespect Stamkos like this ?

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@user-lo3gx9lq9r This is the salary cap era. The Bolts are also interested in getting younger. Just look at the Golden Knights and their success. It's not about feelings and favours, it's about winning. P.S. *you're ''lol''

[@jlindien8972]

Come on, Zegras doesn't fit in Montreal, he would give a bad influence to Caufield.

[@matthewkabel6246]

Lmfao Habs fans are so insane with the false narratives they create, Z and Cole are literally best buds

[@leonrenaud9935]

Lol I dought it

[@brendanaucoin]

We have 11 D, 2 1st first round picks and 2 next year. more than anyone. if we sit on our hands and say I DOUBT IT, WE LOSE!

[@costa328]

Get a deal done for Laine

[@Cripatron9711]

He hasn’t been healthy in 3 years

[@stephanel6637]

Imagine trading at the draft for Zegras then a week later signing Stamkos as free agent!

[@matthewkabel6246]

Z is staying put

[@jeffreynoury1637]

Habs should try to get Dvorsky from the Blues. I would give them Matheson, Harris, Anderson (if they want him), and some picks (Wpg first and more)

[@doaftheloaf]

no. not no to dvorsky, i like him, just no to that package. because we're sending 11m out and we'd have to take some bad contracts in return. i have no interest in taking on krug or leddy, we're better off with anderson than either of them at their cap hits. matheson and the jets 1st will get the blues attention, but it's probably not enough. i really don't see a fit here for a dvorsky trade. now, one guy i would be very interested in is jake neighbours. he plays the kind of game we could use. i'll offer harris and the jets 1st for him.

[@jeffreynoury1637]

@doaftheloaf I think Dvorsky going to be a stud Center in 3-4yrs. Could easily play with Dach on 2nd line in a couple years. Would be a backup in case Dach is better off at wing

[@MC-rs5tx]

Giving Matheson! Are you 🌰?

[@doaftheloaf]

@@MC-rs5tx should we let him decline before we deal him?

[@jeffreynoury1637]

@@doaftheloaf He wants to keep him until his contract is up and then let him walk

[@isseihidaka2023]

I would like the Habs to make an effort to sign Marshessault rather than Stamkos.

[@doaftheloaf]

no. he’s a 55 point player here, tops.

[@JohnWeichel]

Mitch marner to boston bruins

[@ChuckyDoll79]

Or even better, to Montréal. His childhood nemesis team! LOL

[@brendanaucoin]

@@ChuckyDoll79 trading to Boston would weaken the bonding and everything that enhances their strengths....No primadonnas in Boston.... Toronto was built to sell thickets not win playoffs. 70 goals season spoiled by early exit in playoffs again~

[@robertdufour5386]

Nylander over Marner but these guys have no trade clause!!

[@davechan8613]

I’d rather trade for players that can actually show up in the playoffs. Especially at that salary.

[@elvisisalive2716]

no goaltending, and a sus blueline, the Habs will be bad again next year. They will score, but they won't prevent many goals.

[@jfinitiproductions4115]

St. Louis may have been extended but that doesn't mean he's guaranteed those two years. He's got to get this team back into the playoffs this year and make some progress in the playoffs, otherwise he'll be show the door in Montreal.

[@brendanaucoin]

D|ONE! after 3 additions of Zegras, Lindstrom, and Iginla we are on our way!

[@strataburn1]

I agree. Habs will get Stamkos/Kane/Zegras. Boom.

[@brendanaucoin]

Zegras, Lindstrom, and Iginla is the better for the long run....and they have 11 D and Picks including 2 first round picks for this year and 2 for next year along with several young stars like Kapinen and Engstrom. DEY' did a great job and now the rewards. LEAFS HAVE ONLY CASTAWAYS AND REGULAR SEASON PRIMA DONNAS!!!

[@robertdufour5386]

4th line Ahead of them: Lemieux, Gretzky, Crosby

[@doaftheloaf]

@@brendanaucoin you think we’re getting two top ten picks and trading for zegras? what drugs are you on?

[@MuhammadZegras]

Ohhhh so now the Habs are getting Zegras AND stamkos? I think I heard rumors that they’re getting Mitch marner too. I also heard Mcdavid is going there in exchange for Josh Anderson and a 2nd!

[@brendanaucoin]

HABS don't need former stars who choke in the first playoff round it would destroy what MSL etc. has created!!!!

[@sconnors8721]

@@brendanaucoin so true 👍🏻

[@rickyaz8640]

No veteran who wants to win is signing with the Habs

[@brendanaucoin]

HABS are1 to 2 years from a cup challenge if we trade well this year. Suzuki. Cole. and Lindstrom. Dach ,Slaf, and Mesar. Newhook, Roy, and Iginla. the 4th line of Beck, Evans, and Armia will shut down pp and score on other 4th lines. In a year or so Beck will move up but he will leave his mark!

[@doaftheloaf]

@@brendanaucoin at least try and sound like a sane person.