Canadiens Rebuild: Putting The Team’s Growth Into Context

The race for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference has engulfed the narrative surrounding the Montreal Canadiens.

Fans are noticeably frustrated with the team’s lack of success down the stretch, as the Habs have had several opportunities to clinch a playoff berth, but have failed to do so with any semblance of urgency.

Therefore, the frustration is understandable, however, we’re also starting to miss the forest for the trees by focusing on an early appearance in the playoffs.

Keep in mind, this is just the third complete season of the rebuild, and very few teams manage to qualify for the playoffs in such a short time frame. Some teams never even make it to the playoffs following a rebuild, while others take the better part of a decade to earn an invitation to the big dance.

For example, the Buffalo Sabres have not qualified for the playoffs since 2011, whereas the Ottawa Senators are set to play their first playoff series since 2017.

Of course, it helps that numerous Eastern Conference teams have crumbled into dust, but the mere fact that the Canadiens are involved in a playoff race should be considered a significant step forward for the organization.

Individual Growth

Defenceman Lane Hutson is cruising to a Calder Trophy win, and while his rookie performance epitomizes excellence, the best is yet to come for the 21-year-old blueliner.

Top prospect Ivan Demidov only featured in one NHL game, but his immediate and impressive impact points a player with elite potential.

ON TOPIC: Montreal Canadiens Prospect Ivan Demidov Providing More Than Points

Nick Suzuki became the first Canadiens player to reach 80 points since Alex Kovalev in 2007, and will have an opportunity to hit the 90-point mark with a three-point effort in the final game of the year.

The team is still dealing with an overabundance of issues on the blue line, but the Hutson and Kaiden Guhle pairing has quickly established itself as a legitimate top pairing, checking yet another important box in Montreal’s rebuild list.

It’s also worth noting the team’s AHL affiliate happens to be the best team in the league. With a win on Wednesday versus the Belleville Senators, the Laval Rocket will finish on top of the AHL standings.

Of course, there’s a lot of work left to do.

Montreal needs more depth, both up front, and most importantly, on the back end. Their defensive issues continue to stick out like a sore thumb. Head coach Martin St-Louis has grown by leaps and bounds since taking over as head coach, but you’d be hard-pressed to argue he’s done learning.

The Canadiens will also want to eventually graduate top goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler from the AHL, while continuing to funnel talent through the Rocket without the benefit of having high draft picks.

And yet, I can’t help but notice fans that have endured endless rebuilds are casting an envious eye toward Montreal. The same can be said about fans that have watched their team stick with the mediocre status quo, rather than entering into a rebuild in earnest.

Yes, the Montreal Canadiens may miss the playoffs this year, and there’s no guarantee they’ll qualify for them next season, but all things considered, this has been a significant season of growth for the organization, one that has exceeded most expectations, and one that points to a much brighter future.