The Habs have placeholder options to complete the top six

August 17, 2024

The 2023-24 season for the Montreal Canadiens ended with a definitive top line. The Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky line was strong down the stretch, and there is no reason to expect they won’t be set up to continue growing together this coming season.

With Alex Newhook having a strong year despite injuries, and with Kirby Dach returning from a season-ending injury, two-thirds of a second line are waiting to be assembled. Questions remain, however, about who will complete the trio.

The Habs have options coming, having drafted Ivan Demidov and Michael Hage this past summer, but both need time. Rumours circulated that GM Kent Hughes would go big name hunting to complete the top six, but nothing has materialized.

If Hughes cannot find the perfect trade, or has slowed the search with futures in mind, what placeholder options are available to complete the top six?

Boosting value

There are a few Habs who are coming to the end of their term, either because they are entering the last year of their current contract or because they are running out of chances to demonstrate they belong in Montreal.

Joel Armia had a resurgence last season and he wouldn’t look out of place starting the year on a line with Dach and Newhook. If he can have a strong year, he may fetch a reasonable return at the trade deadline. Following the deadline, a chair opens for a kid who has been seasoning.

What if one of the young centreman makes a case to stay in Montreal this fall? Christian Dvorak may find himself on the trade block at that point, or perhaps he could slot in on Dach’s line. The left shot face-off specialist could be helpful in the top-six until he is moved at the deadline.

I don’t know how many chances Josh Anderson has left, but Martin St. Louis is a very patient man and he knows Andy can be better. My eyes might bleed if he lines up with Suzuki and Caufield for even one more game, but perhaps a few games with Dach may create a spark. With three years left on the contract, there is no doubt that Hughes would like to see Anderson do enough to spark some interest across the league.

Promoting development

Joshua Roy impressed in his NHL debut last year, scoring nine points in 23 games while also being defensively sound. He also found chemistry with Newhook, and it’s not hard to imagine him slotting in with his old line mate and Dach. The question is whether he’s ready for responsibility over 82 games.

I wonder what will happen if Owen Beck has a brilliant camp. With Dvorak healthy, might the Habs slot Beck in as a winger until some chairs open at the trade deadline? A top six role is a reach, for sure, but the kind of game Beck plays could be an excellent fit with Dach and Newhook,

Relieving another team’s cap woes

It’s a shame the Edmonton Oilers don’t have an extra top-six forward right now. The Habs could really capitalize on that. The Oilers don’t appear to be a fit, but other cap strapped teams might become a trade partner.

The New York Islanders have been rumoured to be trying to move Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Perhaps a change of scenery might revive the veteran, and the Habs may be able to get a sweetener or offload a contract in the process.

The Vegas Golden Knights are short on cap space, once again. Nicolas Roy wouldn’t hurt the Habs as a short-term option in the top six, and can move down the line up where he’s a better fit when the kids are ready.

Signing a PTO

There are two unsigned UFAs who have aged out of their top six roles, but represent low risk options for the Canadiens, and one of them is no stranger to Montreal.

Max Pacioretty left Montreal on less than ideal terms after a falling out with GM Marc Bergevin. He is remembered as the guy Coach Michel Therrien reportedly labelled a bad captain. Surely we also remember how consistently he made the red light go on.

Aging and injuries have taken their toll, and Max is no longer ideally suited for the top-six. He also wouldn’t be stressed by it, or feel the pressure he felt to produce during his first stay in Montreal. Pacioretty could fill the role while kids develop, and slide down the line up as soon as a young player is ready to replace him.

James van Riemsdyk is another UFA that could fill a similar role. Bringing either of these guys in on a PTO would at least create some competition at camp, and give the Habs some options if the kids need a little more development without the pressure of a top six role.

Predicting Hughes

GM Kent Hughes spends too much time outside the box for us to predict what he will do. But the most likely outcome is that the top six role will be shared between veterans being showcased and kids being developed.

The off-season is nearing an end and Hughes may still pull off an August trade. But there is no desperation to do so. If a deal that suits the Habs and their long term interests surfaces, Hughes will be ready to pull the trigger.

But if not, the coach has options available to fill that top six vacancy for the short term that still promote what the Habs need to do for the long haul.