Following the Olympic break, the spotlight for the Montreal Canadiens is on the status of Patrik Laine. The team had a break on Monday, and Nick Suzuki, who was a finalist on Sunday, has presumably returned to Montreal. Juraj Slafkovský and Oliver Kapanen, who faced off in the bronze medal game won by Finland, are likely already back in Montreal as well.
Alexandre Texier has resumed training with the team after his early exit from the tournament with France. Although players may experience fatigue or bruises, none seem to be suffering from serious injuries. Slafkovský was hit in the head during a quarterfinal match against Germany but played a substantial 22 minutes and 39 seconds in the bronze medal contest. Kapanen, initially underutilized, logged 16 minutes and 23 seconds in the same game.
Health Status of the Canadiens Players
The overall health of the players appears stable, with no major concerns reported. Kirby Dach returned to action before the Olympics, while Alex Newhook is nearing his comeback. The competition for available spots remains tight with one spot open between Newhook, Joe Veleno, and Texier. Other players like Zachary Bolduc and Brendan Gallagher appear to be less at risk of losing their positions.
Patrik Laine’s Future
Laine’s situation remains uncertain. Although he has played only five games this season, his hefty annual salary of $8.7 million and impending unrestricted free agency in a few months make his future with the team unclear. Releasing Laine without receiving significant compensation appears unlikely, especially not at the cost of a first or second-round draft pick.
Future Outlook for the Canadiens
The Canadiens are not under the same pressure as other teams that are forced to choose between buying or selling assets. With 25 games remaining, the Canadiens stand second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 32-17-8, totaling 72 points. They are currently tied with the Detroit Red Wings but have a game in hand. The Columbus Blue Jackets trail by seven points, making playoffs still a feasible goal.
- Team Standings: 2nd in Atlantic Division
- Points: 72
- Record: 32-17-8
- Upcoming matches against: New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, and a three-game California trip
While the Canadiens have one of the youngest rosters in the NHL, this team is still in its developmental stage. Key players like Suzuki, Caufield, and Slafkovský are all 26 or younger, with several others yet to hit their peak performance. Despite the potential for further improvement, the management remains cautious about setting overly ambitious short-term goals.
Upcoming Challenges
The Canadiens’ schedule is manageable as they continue the season. They will face the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals at home this week before embarking on a three-game road trip to California. Following that, they return to play Toronto and Ottawa, and then have more matches against San Jose and Anaheim.
In summary, while the Canadiens look forward to the remainder of the season, their situation with Patrik Laine, paired with the squad’s youth and ongoing development, will shape the team’s future decisions.
