The Montreal Canadiens have nearly all the pieces in place for the future. Many believe the rebuild is over, while others believe that another season of tanking would put the final pieces of the puzzle together. The team is coming off a third consecutive season where they placed in the bottom five of the league. While it is a big ask for the club to make the playoffs this year, it’s not completely out of the question. However, a lot of things need to go right for this to become a reality. Here are three things that need to happen for the Montreal Canadiens to make the playoffs in the 2024-25 season.
Three Factors for the Canadiens to Make the Playoffs
Kirby Dach Breakout Season
Kirby Dach has had an injury-riddled career thus far. This past season was no exception as he played in only two games all year. The forward was poised for a breakout campaign prior to the injury. There are a lot of question marks surrounding Dach and whether he can stay healthy and how he will perform following such an extended absence.
While Dach wasn’t on the ice, he was constantly around the rink and his teammates. The young forward seems eager to get back out on the ice and to prove that he can play at the elite level that warranted him being selected third overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. If the Montreal Canadiens are to make the playoffs, they need Dach to not only stay healthy, but also have a breakout season.
Kent Hughes Adds Another Top-Six Forward
A healthy Kirby Dach adds another top-six forward down the middle for the Canadiens. However, that likely won’t be enough extra firepower to warrant a legitimate playoff push. General manager Kent Hughes will need to add another top-six forward to the mix. The Canadiens have been at the centre of several trade rumours involving high-profile forwards over the summer. The most recent was the news that Trevor Zegras almost became a member of the Habs via trade at this year’s draft.
There are plenty of other names out there on the market such as Rutger McGroarty, Martin Necas, Patrik Laine, and Kent Johnson. But Hughes could also add a name that nobody suspects, much like he did when acquiring Dach and Alex Newhook. Hughes has stated that he wants to reward his young group by giving them a legitimate chance at the playoffs. If he’s serious about that claim, then he will need to add another top-six forward to the group.
Montembeault and Primeau Perform at an Elite Level
Potentially the most important factor if the Canadiens want to sniff the playoffs is goaltending. Following the departure of Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau will be the Canadiens tandem to start the season. Montembeault will be given a shot at the starting position for the year. An opportunity that has alluded him up to this point in his career. The job will be his to lose but Cayden Primeau won’t sit back and let him have the job. The 24-year-old now has a full NHL season under his belt. He, Allen, and Montembeault formed the carousel of netminders for the team last year. This was the result of not wanting to lose Primeau to waivers if he were to be sent down.
Primeau and Montembeault both performed well last season albeit in limited games. The duo will get a chance to prove themselves this season as a reliable NHL tandem. But they will need to be more than reliable if the Canadiens hope to make the playoffs. With the young defence corps playing in front of them, Montembeault and Primeau will need to play at an elite level to give their team a chance at returning to the post-season.
A lot of things need to go right for the Montreal Canadiens to end their rebuild and make the playoffs for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final run. But if they can get elite goaltending, add two top-six forwards, with the return of Dach and another via trade, as well as see development in their young players, it’s not impossible. But that is a lot of what-ifs for a young team looking to defy all expectations.
Main photo: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
