Montreal's Next Move: Are the Canadiens Closer to Contending Than We Think?
At what stage is the Montreal Canadiens' rebuild really at? That's the question that many fans, analysts, and NHL observers are asking as the new season approaches.
After three years of transition marked by a deep renewal of the roster, opinions are multiplying about when the team will truly be able to contend for top honors.
Montreal journalist Stu Cowan, from the Montreal Gazette, recently weighed in on the subject. According to him, management's efforts are already paying off, but the organization remains in the development phase.
How satisfied are you with the way the GoHabsGo rebuild has progressed?
"They're not ready to win a Stanley Cup yet, but they're 2 to 3 years away, I think, from being legitimate Stanley Cup contenders the way things are going" - Stu Cowan
"They're not ready to win a Stanley Cup yet, but they're 2 to 3 years away, I think, from being legitimate Stanley Cup contenders the way things are going" - Stu Cowan
It must be said that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have bet on a strategy focused on youth, patience, and prudent asset management
The emergence of young talents like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Lane Hutson brings new life to a team that, not long ago, was searching for a clear identity.
The recent addition of defensive reinforcements, including Noah Dobson, also shows the Canadiens' desire to solidify their foundations. For now, the team remains too young and still lacks depth to compete with established powers like the Florida Panthers.
But fans, used to a certain instability, can finally see a coherent direction. The goal is no longer just to make the playoffs in the short term, but to build a sustainable structure capable of competing year after year.
In the meantime, the coming months will serve as a test for this rising generation. The Canadiens will need to continue developing their young players, avoid missteps in the free-agent market, and maximize their draft picks.
If progress continues at the current pace, Montreal could soon rejoin the ranks of feared clubs. For Montreal hockey fans, the message is clear: patience is still required, but the hope for a return to the top has not been this credible in a long time.
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