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Toronto Maple Leafs: 2021-22 Atlantic Division Preview

By Andrew Kogut

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens is tied up by Zach Bogosian #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens is tied up by Zach Bogosian #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 07: Josh Anderson #17 of the Montreal Canadiens  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 07: Josh Anderson #17 of the Montreal Canadiens  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal was middle of the pack or worse in pretty much every statistical category last year and just snuck into the playoffs by virtue of a covid-plagued season that re-aligned divisions and, consequently, playoff seeding.

Facing off against the regular-season juggernaut that is the Toronto Maple Leafs was such a mismatched affair that I neglected to tune in for the playoffs and automatically assume that Montreal lost in the first-round and are entering the season with obscenely low expectations (did anyone buy that??).

This offseason saw the departures of 4th and 5th leading scorers Tomas Tatar and Phillip Danault as well as 2018 3rd overall pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi. These three were effectively replaced by Mike Hoffman and Christian Dvorak. Hoffman should provide a nice offensive boost and help the power-play but it’s still a team full of 2nd and 3rd liners with an injured starting goalie and no Shea Weber for the entire season.

And while Montreal deserves credit for their continued drafting prowess I can’t say I’m a fan of the Kotkaniemi for Dvorak “swap” that ultimately cost Montreal 1st and 2nd-round picks. Kotkaniemi’s output as an 18-year-old in 2018-2019 with limited ice-time almost rivals Dvorak’s highest output during his five years in Arizona; he is a big kid with immense skill and he should light it up in Carolina.

Montreal’s best fake NHL name: Gianni Fairbrother.

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