Our report cards return as we evaluate the performance of Montreal’s goaltenders and defencemen in the second quarter of the season, one where Jeff Petry really stepped up his play on the back end.
With the quarter mark recently passed, our report cards have returned. This time, the focus is on Montreal’s forwards who have helped put the Canadiens towards the top of the league in goals scored.
The first quarter of the season has come and gone which means it’s time for our report cards to return. As always, we begin with a look at the goaltenders and defencemen.
Right winger Tyler Toffoli was Montreal’s key free agent acquisition this offseason. How will he fare in his first season with his new team?
The Canadiens pulled the trigger on a long rumoured trade, moving centre Max Domi to Columbus for right winger Josh Anderson on Tuesday. To complete the transaction, Montreal sent a third round pick (78th overall) in the 2020 draft.
If the Canadiens are looking to shore up their wing position with the sixteenth pick in the draft, then Lukas Reichel is just the type of player they should target. Although he is a junior-aged player, he completed in the top German league against men last season and fared very well. His skating and hockey sense are both excellent and his versatility helps make him a safe choice.
What the Habs could use is a game-breaking scorer for their top six, and Connor Zary could give them they need if he’s still on the board at the 16th pick on Tuesday night.
Hendrix Lapierre represents a high risk, high reward player as a first-round draft pick. He’s a forward the Canadiens are likely to know much about since he’s played in the QMJHL the past two seasons.
If a dynamic offensive forward is what the Montreal Canadiens are looking for, then Seth Jarvis would be an excellent choice for their first-round pick in the 2020 NHL draft.
The start of the finale of what will be the longest season in NHL history begins Saturday evening, with the Dallas Stars facing the Tampa Bay Lightning. HabsWorld’s contributors provide their insights into this series and predict how it will end.