The 2022-23 NHL season starts Oct. 7. With training camps opening soon, NHL.com is taking a look at the three keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today, the Montreal Canadiens.
Coach: Martin St. Louis (second season)
Last season: 22-49-11, eighth place in Atlantic Division; did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs
3 KEYS
1. Replacement Price
Goalie Carey Price was placed on long-term injured reserve Sept. 7 and likely won’t play this season. The 35-year-old was limited to five games last season following knee surgery the previous offseason and is still experiencing issues with his slow recovery. What steps in? Jake Allen said at the Canadiens golf tournament last week he’s in negotiations for a new contract with Montreal, but is a 32-year-old a bit old to rebuild around? The door is open for Sam Montembeaultbut the 25-year-old will have to improve after going 8-18-6 with a 3.77 goals-against average and .891 save percentage last season.
Video: NHL Tonight on Canadiens’ goaltenders
2. The new regime
This will be the first full season of Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton and Martin St. Louis will be working together as the Canadiens brain trust. Each has been with Montreal for less than a year, so how long will it take them to jell? Gorton was hired as executive vice president of hockey operations Nov. 28, 2021, after general manager Marc Bergevin, assistant GM Trevor Timmins and senior vice president Paul Wilson were fired. Hughes was named GM on Jan. 18 and St. Louis replaced Dominique Ducharme on Feb. 9.
3. The new captain
The Canadiens named Nick Suzuki the 31st and the youngest captain in their history Sept. 12, but can the 23-year-old center deal with the spotlight in one of the most demanding markets in the NHL? Suzuki said he took online courses in French and how he handles himself off the ice as much as on it will be critical to his leadership.
Video: Nick Suzuki named 31st captain of Montreal Canadiens
ROSTER RUNDOWN
Making the cut
The already muddled situation at defensemen isn’t much clearer after the Canadiens traded Jeff Petry to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders. They have David Savard (673 NHL games), Mike Matheson (417) and Joel Edmundson (416), and the remaining three spots should be there for the taking. Kaiden Guhle had 40 points (seven goals, 33 assists) in 42 games for Prince Albert and Edmonton of the Western Hockey League last season, and the 20-year-old will get a long look at training camp. So will fellow 20-year-old Justin Barron after he had 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 43 games for Colorado of the American Hockey League.
Most intriguing addition
Sean Monahan is a three-time 30-goal scorer and has 462 points (212 goals, 250 assists) in 656 NHL games, all with the Calgary Flames. The 27-year-old forward, acquired in a trade Aug. 18, has played through injuries in recent seasons but said he feels like a kid again after having hip surgery. If he finds a way to resemble the effective player he was earlier in his career, the Canadiens’ gamble on him would have paid off. Monahan has had surgery each of the past two years, the latest in April, but hopes to be ready for the season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Center on Oct. 12.
Biggest potential surprise
Kirby Dach, who struggled at times during his first three NHL seasons and had 59 points (19 goals, 40 assists) in 152 games for the Chicago Blackhawks, is looking to take a significant step forward with the change of scenery after being acquired in a trade in July. 7. The Canadiens think they can help boost the production of the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and plan to give the 21-year-old center plenty of ice time, including a role on the power play. Dach is a key cog in Montreal’s rebuild and will be provided every opportunity to become one of its offensive staples.
Ready to break through
There was a buzz through the Bell Center at the 2022 NHL Draft when forward Juraj Slafkovsky was chosen with the No. 1 pick. Shane Wright, a forward with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League, was the popular candidate to be the top pick but Montreal opted for Slafkovsky’s unique combination of skill and swagger. At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, the 18-year-old is a teenager in a man’s body and could start the season in the NHL with a good training camp.
Fantasy sleeper
Dach, C/RW (fantasy average draft position: 176.0) — He played in mostly the bottom six under multiple coaches for Chicago but is a fantasy breakout candidate who could play on the second line for Montreal with at least one valuable wing in Cole Caufield, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson and/or Slafkovsky. — Anna Dua
PROJECTED LINEUP
Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Mike Hoffman
Jonathan Drouin — Sean Monahan — Josh Anderson
Evgenii Dadonov — Kirby Dach — Brendan Gallagher
Paul Byron — Christian Dvorak — Joel Armia
Michael Matheson — David Savard
Joel Edmundson — Justin Barron
Jordan Harris — Chris Wideman
Jake Allen
Samuel Montembeault
.