The
Montreal Canadiens had a nearly perfect pre-season, suffering only a single
loss in the final game of the batch. What’s better is that during the run of 9
games the team used 4 distinct forward lineups, giving them three undefeated
mixes to try and build off going forward.
The team looks much the same as last season, a slight raise in the salary cap
and two de-escalating contracts allowing them to re-sign key free agents, as
well as add a third bonafide top-4 defender in Johnny Oduya. The 35 year old is
coming off a career best 20 goal season with Vancouver, and was the only player
the club targeted in the off-season.
Out of the gate it looks like the Matthew Highmore will be centering the top
line, sandwiched between stars Dal Colle and McGinn, as Montreal looks to give
him the best chance to keep developing after a 27 goal debut season last year.
The third rounder had developed 6 years in the Hamilton system before getting his recent big break.
Oduya will pair Jonathan Ericsson, while the Habs have paired Samuel Morin, at
least initially, with 20 year old Vincent Desharnais, another late-draft grab
that has already seen 74 games over two years with the big club. He is seen as
a potential shut-down blueliner of the future, with great strength and size. He
is definitely out of his league playing on a top pair, but we’ll see if a
strong offense and being paired with Norris-level Morin can carry him.
Garret Sparks will run the net opening night, and, likely on many more nights
than his first two years in Montreal. He worked on his endurance hard in the
off-season, and is targeted to break the 60 game mark for the first time in his
career this season.
Montreal is scheduled for their yearly opening night loss to Nashville Tuesday
night.
7/14/2025 - 292 words
