Patience is a virtue. And far too many Montreal Canadiens fans and media members seem to lack when it comes to their expectations of 2022 first-overall draft pick Juraj Slafkovsky. That needs to change.

The Montreal Canadiens wasted little time finding another new home for Jeff Petry. However, rather than accepting an underwhelming package with salary retention, they should have looked to get creative which could have allowed them to spend the savings in a different manner.

The Habs have already returned Owen Beck to play in junior this season. While it might not be the popular opinion, they should be taking the same approach with first-rounders Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar as well.

There’s not a lot going on with the Habs both on and off the ice. With the progress their new management team has made, the lack of talking points certainly isn’t a bad thing.

When Arizona completed an improbable comeback on April 29th to hand the Habs the top odds for the draft lottery which they eventually won, it looked as if the Canadiens had some good fortune. But now, with a tough decision looming on the top pick, would they have been better off picking second?

Between their coaching change and an openness to take on prospects over draft picks in trades, Montreal’s new management team might not be as enamoured with the upcoming draft class as some might think.

Many fans and pundits have written off the Habs as a team that will be on the outside looking in at the playoffs this coming season. But while they don’t have the top-end talent other division rivals do, they have a group that’s built to do some damage, even if some don’t see it.

Noah Juulsen was scooped up on waivers by Florida earlier this month and while it gives him an NHL salary, it’s likely not the best option for his development. This is a proposal to re-work the waiver system which would result in short-term pain for long-term gain.

What does Montreal’s recent re-signing of Noah Juulsen to just a one-year contract, this year’s NHL Draft, and COVID-19 all have in common? More than you might think.

This extended break in the NHL calendar allows us plenty of time to think of new, creative ideas to improve the game. With that in mind, here is a three-tiered proposal to try to help improve the competitive balance of the league and reduce the amount of rebuilding years in the process.