The Canadiens' Offseason: A Recipe for Déjà Vu or Disappointment?
Let’s start with a bold statement: the Montreal Canadiens’ offseason strategy feels like watching a rerun of a show you didn’t particularly enjoy the first time. Personally, I think general manager Kent Hughes is either playing the long game or simply rolling the dice on a lineup that, frankly, doesn’t inspire much confidence. What makes this particularly fascinating is how little has changed since last season, despite the team’s glaring weaknesses.
When I saw NHL.com’s projected lineup for next season, I couldn’t help but laugh—and not in a good way. The “key arrivals”? Brett Berard and Reilly Walsh. Berard, a 23-year-old with zero points in 13 NHL games last season, and Walsh, a 27-year-old who’s played one NHL game since 2022. In my opinion, calling these players “additions to the core” is a stretch at best. What this really suggests is that Hughes is either banking on internal development or simply biding his time. But here’s the thing: time is a luxury the Canadiens don’t have if they want to compete.
One thing that immediately stands out is the second-line center position. Jake Evans? Really? Don’t get me wrong, Evans is a solid fourth-liner, but pairing him with Ivan Demidov, a player many are calling a future star, feels like a mismatch. If you take a step back and think about it, this could stunt Demidov’s growth. A player of his caliber needs a playmaker, not a grinder. What many people don’t realize is that the second line is often the difference between a good team and a great one. Right now, the Canadiens’ second line looks more like a liability than an asset.
Then there’s Kirby Dach. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the Dach experiment has run its course. Seven years into his career, and he’s still more potential than production. The one-year, $3.6 million deal feels like a consolation prize, not a vote of confidence. From my perspective, Hughes should have cut ties and moved on. The silver lining? Maybe this deal makes Dach more tradeable. But let’s be honest—who’s lining up to take a chance on him at this point?
The lack of toughness in this lineup is another red flag. Yes, Josh Anderson can be a force, but his consistency is as reliable as a coin flip. What this playoff run showed us is that the Canadiens need more than one player who can bring physicality. They need a culture of it. A detail that I find especially interesting is the absence of Arber Xhekaj in the projected lineup. The Sheriff brings exactly what this team needs—grit, heart, and a willingness to get his hands dirty. But if Martin St. Louis doesn’t see a place for him, what’s the point of keeping him?
This raises a deeper question: What is the Canadiens’ identity? Are they a skill-first team, a physical team, or somewhere in between? Right now, they seem to be neither. The blue line, in particular, lacks the size and strength needed to compete in the modern NHL. Shea Weber at 28? That’s the template they should be chasing, not the current group of undersized, skill-focused defensemen.
Here’s the bottom line: this lineup feels like a step sideways, not forward. Fans who argue that Hughes knows best might be right—but they’re also taking a leap of faith. Personally, I’m not convinced. This doesn’t look like a team that can replicate last season’s playoff run, let alone improve on it.
If you ask me, the Canadiens are at a crossroads. They can either double down on this roster and hope for the best, or they can make bold moves to address their weaknesses. Right now, it feels like they’re choosing the former. And that, in my opinion, is a recipe for déjà vu—not success.
