NHL RumorsNHL RumorsNHL Rumors
  • Rumors
  • NHL Trades
    • 2024-25 NHL Trade Tracker
    • Trade Articles
    • 2023-24 NHL Trade Tracker
  • Video
  • Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Utah Hockey Club
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Contact
  • FAQ
Font ResizerAa
NHL RumorsNHL Rumors
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
FeaturedNHL Opinion

The Montreal Canadiens Next Rebuild Step is To Play Meaningful Games

Jim Biringer 09/27/2024
5 Min Read
Despite what Jeff Gorton says, the Montreal Canadiens next phase of their rebuild is to be playing meaningful games this spring.
Apr 6, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (22) celebrates with teammates defenseman Mike Matheson (8) and forward Nick Suzuki (14) after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

There is a lot of buzz surrounding the Montreal Canadiens this season. They are looking to take the next steps in their rebuild. Whether they make the playoffs or not is not the ultimate goal.

The Montreal Canadiens goal is to be in the mix. That means playing meaningful games in March and April, the next step in their rebuild. Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and General Manager Kent Hughes have been building a good young team that will be competitive for years, ever since the Canadiens last ran to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

The Spotlight of Montreal Will Help Patrik Laine Thrive with the Canadiens

Montreal fans have been very accepting of this approach. It is the same approach Gorton took in New York when he rebuilt the Rangers. Players like Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Huston, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Arber Xhekaj, and Kaiden Guhle, along with acquiring Patrik Laine.

The pieces are in place for the Canadiens to take the next step. It will be a tough division for that execution to happen. However, with Martin St. Louis behind the bench, the Canadiens are poised to be in that position.

However, as Jeff Gorton told TSN Radio in Toronto, he does not want to overpromise. The Canadiens will take it one day at a time and see where they are at the end of the season. But he understands the hype and buzz surrounding the Canadiens this season.

NHLRumors.com Transcriptions

NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens Looking to Add a Defenseman and Forward

Bryan Hayes: “With Jeff Gorton, the Executive VP of Hockey Operations with the Montreal Canadiens. I mentioned that crave series, the rebuild, where it’s been ongoing for a couple of years, and you, yourself, Kent Hughes, ownership. Everyone’s been pretty clear-cut on that. I think the fans, from my standpoint, in Toronto, sounds like people Montreal been very understanding, very welcoming of this.

Yet I get asked, I’m sure you get asked all the time, and you’re the guy would have that answer like, where are you in the stages of this rebuild? How would you answer fans when they ask you that, where are we here? Final Chapter? You still writing chapters? How do you explain that to fans?”

Are the Montreal Canadiens A Playoff Team This Season?

Jeff Gorton: “Yeah. I mean, I hate to be a cliche guy all the time, but we’re moving in the right direction. I think we have the pieces to be better this year. We want to be. We’ve used that phrase around here a lot and people get frustrated with the same phrase in the mix. We want to be in the mix at the end of the year.

But I don’t want to be, you know, I don’t want to promise anything. We’re too far ahead and then have it cave in on us. So we’re just going to take one day at a time and see where we are. I think we’ll be better. I’m excited about where we are. We’ll just have to see. There’s a lot of good teams.

I’m sure you guys do it. You try to pick what teams are going to make the playoffs. It’s hard. It’s not easy to make the playoffs in the National Hockey League. And you look,  to see what teams would possibly fall out and how you can get in there.

Can Patrik Laine Get Back To Being A Goal Scorer for Montreal?

So, we’re looking at that, but we’re taking it a day at a time, and we’ll see what lies ahead for us.”

If you ask him off the record or candidly, he might admit that the Canadiens season will be disappointing if they don’t play meaningful games.

Again, many young kids are playing in the lineup this season, but the Montreal Canadiens should not be out of the playoffs by December. It will be interesting to see what happens this season in Montreal.

The hype train and buzz are real. While they are still rebuilding, the Montreal Canadiens expect to be playing meaningful games in March and April of this season and, by next year, crack the playoff mix in the Eastern Conference.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Cole CaufieldJeff GortonJuraj SlafkovskyKaiden GuhleKent HughesLane HutsonMontreal CanadiensNick SuzukiPatrik Laine

Offer Sheet Compensation

<$1.54M no comp
$1.54M – $2.34M: 3rd
$2.34M – $4.68M: 2nd
$4.68M – $7.02M: 1st, 3rd
$7.02M – $9.36M: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$9.36M – $11.7M: 1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$11.7M+: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st,

2024-25 Critical Dates

June 1-7: NHL Scouting Combine (Buffalo, NY)
June 20th: Last possible day for the Stanley Cup Final
June 27th-28th: 2025 NHL Draft
July 1st: Start of free agency

NHL Rumors to your inbox.

NHLrumors Logo

Categories

  • Rumors

Information

  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking NHL News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.