By JD Lagrange – Progression in hockey, much like in any field, is multifaceted and subjective. It’s not merely about statistical improvements but also about the development of skills, teamwork, and overall performance. However, defining what constitutes progress can vary greatly depending on individual perspectives and expectations. In the dynamic world of professional sports, where success is often measured in wins, losses, and championships, the notion of progression can sometimes be overshadowed by immediate results and short-term goals.
When examining the Montreal Canadiens, one can discern divergent viewpoints regarding their progression. On one hand, there are those who focus on the growth of individual players within the team. They may point to the development of young talents, improvements in specific skills, or the emergence of key contributors as signs of significant progress. Conversely, others take a broader view, assessing the team’s performance as a whole over the course of multiple seasons. From this perspective, they may argue that despite advancements in certain areas, the overall progress of the Canadiens as a cohesive unit has been less pronounced or insufficient, particularly when compared to the expectations set forth by fans, management, and the hockey community.
Individual progression
Although there is always room for growth, several individual players have made strides in the right direction this season for the Montreal Canadiens.
- Nick Suzuki, serving as the team’s captain, has not only demonstrated remarkable offensive prowess with a career-high 33 goals and 77 points but has also garnered attention for his increasingly adept defensive play, earning recognition throughout the league.
- Mike Matheson‘s impact on the Canadiens has been significant beyond his career-best 62 points. His versatility and reliability in all situations on the ice, exemplified by his substantial ice time averaging 25:33 minutes per game (3rd most in the NHL), underscore his indispensability to the team’s success.
- Cole Caufield‘s season saw a notable transformation from a slow start to a formidable finish. Despite initially struggling to find the back of the net (11 goals at the halfway point in the season), his determination paid off with 28 goals and 64 points. Furthermore, his improved defensive awareness and playmaking abilities have added depth to his game.
- While much of the spotlight is on Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook has quietly matched the former Blackhawks’ pace, despite facing significant time off due to injuries. Despite playing just 55 games, Newhook achieved career highs with 15 goals and 34 points, showcasing his potential as a key contributor to the team’s future success.
- It seems the talk of Juraj Slafkovsky being a bust has faded away, hasn’t it? The towering Slovak emerged as a significant contributor for the Canadiens, proving himself as the team’s second-best points producer behind Suzuki since January 27th, tallying an impressive 31 points in 34 games. Finishing the season with a commendable 20 goals and 50 points, Slafkovsky consistently showcased his prowess on the ice, becoming a formidable presence for the team game after game.
Team progression
Having examined the progression of individual players, let’s now shift our attention to the team as a whole. We’ll analyze the team statistics across the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 seasons to gauge the extent of progression during this period, despite consistently finishing among the NHL’s bottom five teams each year.
| CATEGORY | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGL* | 599 (1st) | 600 (1st) | 390(12th) |
| GP | 82 | 82 | 82 |
| W | 22 | 31 | 30 |
| L | 49 | 45 | 36 |
| OT | 11 | 6 | 16 |
| PTS | 55 | 68 | 76 |
| PTS% | .335 | .415 | .463 |
| Standings | 32nd | 28th | 28th |
| GF/GP | 2.66 | 2.77 | 2.83 |
| GA/GP | 3.87 | 3.72 | 3.43 |
| PP% | 13.7 | 16.1 | 17.5 |
| PK% | 75.6 | 72.7 | 76.5 |
| Shots/GP | 29.8 | 27.3 | 27.7 |
| SA/GP | 34.4 | 33.6 | 33.4 |
| FO% | 49.2 | 48.5 | 51.5 |
| Hits/60 | 24.18 | 19.26 | 21.64 |
| BkS/60 | 14.28 | 17.01 | 17.52 |
| GvA/60 | 11.76 | 11.53 | 8.97 |
| TkA/60 | 6.09 | 6.17 | 5.54 |
| Minor Pen | 300 | 293 | 308 |
| Major Pen | 18 | 33 | 24 |
| Pen. drawn/60 | 3.79 | 3.74 | 3.93 |
| Pen. taken/60 | 4.11 | 4.33 | 4.17 |
| PIM/GP | 10:11 | 11:38 | 10:10 |
*MGL = Man Games Lost to injuries. Source: NHL Injury Viz
While I recognize that some individuals might attempt to interpret the aforementioned statistics and comparisons to fit their own narrative, I’ll entrust you to form your own conclusions.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the stark reality: the past three years have been disheartening for Montreal Canadiens fans, especially following their journey to the Stanley Cup finals. As we approach the upcoming offseason, the stakes are high for Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes. It’s imperative that we start witnessing tangible progress as a team. Fortunately, both men have acknowledged this necessity in their end-of-season press conference, indicating a shared commitment to steering the team toward improvement.
Although they will be doing this without me…
