Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
5. Montreal Canadiens
Departures: Thomas Vanek, Josh Gorges, Brian Gionta, Daniel Briere, Devan Dubnyk
Arrivals: PA Parenteau, Manny Malholtra, Jiri Sekac, Tom Gilbert
Let’s see. The Habs make it to the Eastern Conference Finals and in the following off-season, they demolish a good portion of their core. How does that make sense?
Vanek was going to leave for sure, so they can’t be blamed for that. However, they let their captain sign with a division rival in Buffalo and traded their second-best defenseman to the same team. Yes, I do realize the trade was made before Gionta signed. That is two players that know how to beat Carey Price by watching in practice and how the Habs work. That could end up biting Montreal in the behind.
Yes, Price is still there. P.K. Subban is still there. Max Pacioretty is still there. Is that enough? Probably not. The Habs will need their young players like Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher and Jarred Tinordi to really step it up.
The Habs will be really lucky if they can make the playoffs this year.