When we look back at the 2024-25 season, the Montreal Canadiens were the biggest surprise team in the NHL. Having finished bottom-5 in the previous three campaigns, most pegged the Canadiens to be in that vicinity once more. However, players and management had a distinct goal of being in the mix for the playoffs. They were able to surpass even their expectations and qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2021. Now, the team will face higher expectations and push for a second consecutive playoff berth. With new additions and a stellar young core, the Canadiens look to be a perennial contender in the years to come. Let’s take a look at why the Canadiens are poised to be the next big powerhouse in the Atlantic Division.
Canadiens Trending Upwards in the Atlantic Division
Canadiens are the Most Improved Team
When we examine Montreal’s roster from last season, there were some holes, and if they were to run it back with the same group, a playoff spot would be an uphill battle. However, Montreal addressed some of its needs this offseason and is arguably the league’s most improved team. They started by adding defenceman Noah Dobson in a draft-day trade, solidifying their top-4 group. They also acquired sophomore forward Zachary Bolduc in exchange for Logan Mailloux.
In free agency, they signed some depth in Joe Veleno, Sammy Blais, and Kappo Kahkonen. Blais comes in as a replacement for Michael Pezzetta while Veleno and Zachary Bolduc fill the holes left behind by Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia’s departures. Internally, the Canadiens have also improved, as they will have a full year of Ivan Demidov, as well as a healthy Kirby Dach, to begin the season. Add all of this with the internal competition stemming from Laval, and the Canadiens are undoubtedly the Atlantic’s most improved team.
Falling of the Old Guard: Lightning and Bruins
The Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs have been the Atlantic Division’s top squads for the better portion of the last decade. However, we are starting to see some regression from the Bruins and Bolts. Boston missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. Over the last two years, they have lost much of their veteran core, including Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. After the Linus Ullmark trade, Jeremy Swayman has struggled in net for Boston, raising some question marks in goal. Outside of David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, there isn’t much firepower, and this roster looks depleted compared to years past.
As for the Lightning, they find themselves a far cry from the powerhouse they were in early 2020’s, where they reached three straight finals. Their core is aging, and the depth that they once had has been filtered out due to cap constraints over the years. There isn’t much help coming from their prospect pool either. The core of Kucherov, Point, Vasilevskiy, and Hedman don’t have the support they once had, and it seems as though the Lightning’s glory days have passed them by.
Red Wings and Sabres Continue to Flounder
A big reason why there has been so much parity in the Atlantic Division over the years is due to the lack of progression from its bottom teams. Montreal and Ottawa have finally taken the next step and made the playoffs this past year. However, the Red Wings and Sabres haven’t found themselves same success. Neither club has qualified for the postseason this decade, and the Sabres have the longest postseason drought in the NHL, currently. Buffalo continues to trade away valuable players who find success elsewhere, such as Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel, who both had career years and won championships elsewhere. The latest in this trend is young star J. J. Peterka. Buffalo’s decade-long rebuild and retooling have been confusing and frustrating for fans. Unfortunately, the Sabres haven’t improved this offseason and don’t appear to be anywhere near pushing for the playoffs.
As for the Red Wings, the “Yzerplan” hasn’t panned out. Bad value contracts to veteran free agents, coupled with poor drafting, have limited their progression over the years. Outside of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and an aging Patrick Kane, their roster leaves much to be desired. The roster has no secondary scoring or defensive depth whatsoever. They finally addressed their goalie situation by adding John Gibson from Anaheim. However, Gibson is past his prime and may not be the answer they’ve been seeking. The Red Wings will likely be in the mix, but their roster still needs a lot of help if they want to be a legitimate playoff team.
Final Thoughts on the Status of the Atlantic Division
When you look around the Atlantic Division, Montreal is the only team that’s seen improvement. The Panthers and Senators have stayed put and just re-signed their free agents. The Maple Leafs lost superstar Mitch Marner, opting to go with added depth instead. Still, it’s hard to argue they’re a better team after losing an 100-point player. As discussed, the Bruins and Lightning seem to be on the decline, while the Red Wings and Sabres are struggling to take that next step. Then there is the Canadiens, who have improved every season since Kent Hughes and Martin St. Louis joined the organization. With the major additions of Zach Bolduc and Noah Dobson, amongst others, as well as a full year of Ivan Demidov, it’s hard to see a reason why the Canadiens wouldn’t make the playoffs once again in 2025-26.
Main Photo: David Kirouac- Imagn Images
The post Why the Canadiens are the Atlantic Division’s Newest Powerhouse appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.