Team: 2018-19 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 14, 2018

Published: Jul. 14, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Given the fact that Marc Bergevin told Max Pacioretty he wouldn’t negiociate a contract extension with him, he is very likely to be traded before the season opener. Of course, he won’t be traded for nothing, it’s only to show that he won’t be on the team anymore and that his trade value is not the same for everyone. Personally, I think Kotkaniemi should play a few games in the NHL, at the beginning of the year and if possible, the end of the season. He’ll spend the rest in the season in Liiga, where he can easily work on his flaws and where he should play at centre in a way more important role than last season. CJ should give him some quality ice time and opportunities but shouldn’t have first line minutes. Kotkaniemi needs to play with wingers that complete him in an effective way and that could do the dirty work for him. That’s why I put him alongside Brendan Gallagher and Max Domi, two gritty wingers that could liberate some space for Kotkaniemi and would take some pressure off him. As for the rest of the lineup, I am expecting Jonathan Drouin to be better than last season, where the expectations on him to be that top line center were simply too high, for someone who always played on the wing in Tampa. I also think that Lehkonen has a really good shot at the 20-goal mark and I am expecting Sherback to be a full-time NHL player for the Canadiens if he could reproduce last year’s flashes and elevates his play to another level. I really enjoyed Hudon last season as he showed that he could be a great scorer and playmaker and I feel like he can even be better next year. I am excited to see what Armia can bring, as a former 1st round pick, in a team where he has definetly more opportunities and ice time than with the stacked Winnipeg Jets. Danault will likely fill the 1C spot by default, but I really like his game and want to see him stepping up his game even more. As for the backhand, I really like how Victor Mete has planned out, as a 4th round pick in 2016, and I can see him progressing even more next year. Noah Juulsen should get a lot more opportunities with Weber gone and Petry potentially on the market, and I like his defensive game and the stability he brings to that blue line. Finally, I hope the Habs finish at the bottom of the league one more year and draft another really good prospect that will make the team even better.