At the moment, all that can be said about the Montreal Canadiens and Nick Suzuki is that they will start the 2026–27 season with the same roster that led them to the Eastern Conference final.
No one anticipated a tranquil summer after such a season.
Montreal concluded with a record of 48-24-10, earning 106 points and placing third in the Atlantic Division. Their winning streak encompassed two postseason series victories before Carolina brought it to an end in the conference final.
Kent Hughes therefore chose not to bother with that group.
no significant deal. Not a single marquee free agent. Just the same foundation, bringing it back.
Here’s the issue. Montreal didn’t beat up on the Atlantic division last year.
The ending score for Florida was 84 points. Toronto was even worse: 78 points, a minus-46 goal differential, and a seven-game losing streak to cap off the season.
Real assistance must be provided to Jakub Dobes in the crease
Both teams reengineered themselves over the summer, and neither intends to witness the playoffs from their living room once again.
With 109 points, Buffalo took home the division title. Tampa Bay trailed by only 106 points. The race, which formerly had breathing room, now has four teams crammed together.
Over 19 postseason games, Nick Suzuki gained an additional 16 points and amassed a total of 101. At 22 years old, Lane Hutson totaled 78 points from the back line.
Cole Caufield scored 51 goals. On this foundation, Hughes is relying.
However, what occurs if Jakub Dobes falls or needs a vacation?
Last season, Samuel Montembeault played in 25 games and had an average save percentage of .873. It’s not a number that can be concealed by a closer division.
In that crease, Jacob Fowler, who is 21 years old, had a more promising .908 mark in 17 games.
Standing firm only works if your starter can keep the puck out of the net, which is currently a question mark in Montreal.
It’s similar to leaving the roof leaking while renovating the kitchen. Before the roof breaks, the glitzy front seems amazing.
With a young team that was still trying to find their footing, Martin St-Louis guided this team to the conference final. Doing it again with a weaker Atlantic and a shaky backup scenario presents a different challenge entirely.
If things start to go downhill, Hughes still has moves at his disposal. The way he handles what’s currently in the room speaks volumes about his level of confidence, whether he waits until midseason or acts sooner.
