Canadiens' Power Play Gets a Major Makeover Ahead of the New Season

The analysts at La Poche Bleue recently revealed their predictions for the two units that would start the campaign, and it's clear that the face of Montreal's power play has radically changed.

According to their projections, the first wave would bring together Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki up front, joined by young Russian prodigy Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson on the blue line.

An explosive combination relying on creativity, speed, and the lethal shots of Caufield and Suzuki, while allowing Hutson to dictate the pace from the point. The addition of Demidov to this group adds another dimension: his offensive flair and ability to break down a defense one-on-one.

The second wave would be far from a consolation unit. It would include Zachary Bolduc, Patrik Laine, and Kirby Dach on offense, supported by Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson on defense.

The presence of Laine, known for his blistering shot, combined with Dach's vision and Matheson's offensive dynamism, promises another group capable of wreaking havoc. As for Dobson, he would stabilize the unit with his composure and precise puck movement.

What stands out in these projections is the sudden depth the Canadiens now have. With the offseason additions of Demidov, Bolduc, and Dobson, Martin St-Louis finds himself in a new scenario: two truly threatening power-play units. Unlike previous seasons, where the first unit carried almost all the load, the head coach now has a real luxury.

For the fans, these predictions fuel optimism. After years of searching for stable solutions on the power play, the Canadiens may finally start the season with a major weapon in their arsenal.