November 11, 2024 | 7:33pm ET
By David Calabretta, TheFourthPeriod.com
HABS IN “UGLY” PART OF THEIR REBUILD
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Nick Suzuki, centre
MONTREAL, QC — Oof! It hasn’t been a great start for the rebuilding Montreal Canadiens.
It is now the third full season of their long awaited rebuild, the team has hit a roadblock of negativity in Habs Land.
After an underwhelming start to the season, now 5-9-2 after a 7-5 win over the Sabres in Buffalo on Monday afternoon, the Canadiens have had the worst start 15 games into the season since Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton took over this young team.
During the 2022-23 season, the Canadiens went 8-6-1, and followed that up by going 7-6-2. This season is an obvious regression that was unforeseen given the Canadiens’ season goal of being “in the mix.”
Habs Lacking Confidence
The Habs are spiralling, sitting 31st in the NHL, and are just coming off a six-game losing streak before today’s victory. With star players such as Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach all going pointless in the last few games prior to today, confidence seemed to be an issue around the locker room.
Head coach Martin St.Louis confirmed that the confidence level has diminished drastically during a recent media presser.
“I’m only a little bit worried about the confidence of certain players but it’s okay, we’ll work on that,” St. Louis told reporters.
After this afternoon’s 7-5 victory over the Sabres, there are surely a lot of positives to take from it, starting with the performances of Suzuki, Slafkovsky and Caufield, all of whom put up multiple points.
Dach and rookie blueliner Lane Hutson also had themselves a game, with two assists respectively.
A performance where every player benefits on the score sheet is bound to lead to a jump start into consistent play and refuel the team’s weakened tanks.
St. Louis Can Use Some Help Behind the Bench
When things aren’t working around an NHL team, fans and media begin to speculate the standing and position of the head coach, and St Louis falls into that category.
It’s clear that talent on the Canadiens’ depth chart doesn’t possess a wide range, and that needs to be considered when judging a coach’s performance. However, the lack of success in Montreal doesn’t just fall on the head coach.
What can be done to help the young NHL coach may be to surround him with some experienced hockey minds behind the bench, and part of me wonders if Hughes and Gorton are searching around for a veteran assistant coach.
The Habs’ currently have one man down behind the bench due to the departure of powerplay coach Alex Burrows, who is still with the organization as a Player Development Consultant.
Despite the recent chatter, one thing can be certain, St. Louis’ job is not in danger, according to Sportsnet’s Eric Engels.
“The Canadiens aren’t firing Martin St. Louis,” Engels wrote last week. “Not now. Not anytime soon. Possibly not ever, if he does what they expect him to do with this opportunity.”
Over the weekend, Georges Laraque reported the Canadiens met with former Vegas Golden Knights and New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant, fueling speculation that an addition to the coaching staff could be made. The report was quickly dismissed by the Habs’ brass, but it wouldn’t be a shock if the Canadiens are looking for an experienced mind to join St. Louis’ staff.
Gallant aside, other possibilities that may be up for consideration are former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft and maybe even Boston’s current bench boss Jim Montgomery if the Bruins decide to let him go.
Goaltending Woes Hinder Montreal
Throughout the rebuild, goaltending has bailed the Canadiens out and helped them gain several standings points. However, so far this season, the Habs’ goalies have significantly regressed.
Samuel Montembeault is entering Year One of his three-year extension signed last season while Hughes was dealing with the influx of goalies. After a remarkable start to the season versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, gathering a 48-save shutout, things have quickly fallen apart for the once presumed favourite for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.
Since opening night, the 28-year-old netminder has a .890 save percentage and 3.42 goals against-average.
Cayden Primeau, on the other hand, seems to be still adjusting to the NHL backup life, entering his second full season. With a .845 save percentage and 4.32 goals-against-average, it seems like Primeau’s performances are starting to be monitored within the organization.
Primeau, 25, is entering the period where it is time to expose himself as a true NHL goaltender. I wouldn’t imagine Montreal addresses their goalie situation any time soon, as all eyes remain on 2023 third-round pick Jacob Fowler to conclude his season at Boston College and many around the NHL speak very highly of his potential.
For now, Montembeault will hold the throne in the crease until it is time to let Fowler walk, perhaps as early as next season.
All in all, lets not forget the season is still young. It is, however, important to note that the rebuild path isn’t always linear, and regression may occur. Rebuilding in the NHL remains extremely difficult in today’s world, with clubs like the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings still struggling to get back into the playoffs despite the many years of rebuilding.
Yes, there has been teams able to squeak out quicker than others, such as the New Jersey Devils and the Colorado Avalanche (with a little lottery help).
Things are going to get better this season and moving forward, with the long-awaited debut of Patrik Laine set to return at the end of the month, and the shipment from overseas Ivan Demidov entering the fold next season. Another high draft pick wouldn’t hurt this Habs team despite its expectations, and that’s perfectly okay.