Montreal Canadiens
Notable Additions: Sergei Samsonov, Johnson
Subtractions: Sundstrom, Richard Zednik
Analysis
Montreal last season was a textbook example of how important goaltending is to success in the NHL. The early season success of Theodore meant that Montreal started the season off very well. When Theodore faltered, so did the Habs.
Huet and Abeischer is a solid if unspectacular tandem for next season. If either of those guys, or the two of them in combination, can play as well as Huet did down the stretch last year, then the Canadiens will have success. However, Abeischer had plenty of opportunity in Colorado and was insufficient (disclaimer: I don’t envy him trying to be the number 1 after Patrick Roy retired). Huet came out of nowhere and while he played well last year, it’s quite a jump to assume he’ll be anywhere near as successful in the upcoming season. Despite having two veteran goaltenders, I see the Habs as having among the least stability in this position around the league.
Not much has really changed in Montreal. Johnson is an underrated player that should make an impact immediately and be a steady presence. Signing Samsonov for $3.5 million per year was a mistake. This guy is frighteningly skilled, very fast and has big “P” potential. But he has never established himself as a real first line winger. Is a #2 winger worth $3.5 million a season? I don’t think so.
Still, it was a gamble that could well pay off. If he develops some good chemistry with Koivu and Kovalev, that would make a first line no one will want to face. I just think that Samsonov was extremely overrated this offseason and benefited from a fairly weak pool of UFA forwards.
Like Buffalo, Montreal will have to face a division that overall got stronger this summer. They barely squeaked into the playoffs last year. I would predict that Gainey will have to make further changes to the team next year for the Habs to squeeze in again. And he very well could do it. I just wouldn’t count on the current squad to be playing together in the second season.