By Bob Trask – Every summer articles pop up making bold predictions about various moves the Canadiens might make regarding players, coaches and the management team. These ones are more obscure than bold – but will surely create controversy among some.
Goaltending
Samuel Montembeault will sign a new contract with the Canadiens but will play more games with Laval than with the Habs.
Defense
With Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj and Jordan Harris bursting on to the pro scene as left d-men, Mattias Norlinder will be included in a trade package that fills a team need at other positions. The Canadiens will sign a UFA right defenseman who will either help compensate for the loss of Jeff Petry if he is traded or allow Justin Barron to continue his development in Laval.
Center
If Shane Wright is drafted he will play nine games with the Canadiens before being returned to junior. Nick Suzuki, Christian Dvorak, Ryan Poehling and Jake Evans will get the bulk of the minutes at center and all will have career years from a scoring point of view.
Left Wing
Emil Heineman will push hard for a job and break into the lineup as a fourth line left winger before the end of the season. Paul Byron will be the man he replaces.
Right Wing
Jesse Ylonen will make the team out of training camp but will have a difficult time earning a regular spot in the lineup.
Coaching Staff
There will be one change or addition to the coaching staff before training camp and any change won’t be Martin St. Louis – he is staying.
More reading…
- Shane Wright: A Controversy That Won’t Go Away by Bob Trask
- Big Contracts And The Salary Cap by Bob Trask
- On Team Canada, “A” is for Anderson by JD Lagrange