More forwards who can score goals. This rebuild isn’t going to be successful unless GM Kent Hughes can add more forwards who can create offence.
The Canadiens’ defencemen have scored 43 goals this season. The only team with more goals from their back end is the Colorado Avalanche with 56. But the Canadiens rank 27th in the NHL in offence with an average of 2.68 goals per game, while the Avalanche rank first with an average of 3.71.
An experienced NHL coach to help Martin St. Louis behind the bench. There’s no salary cap on coaches and St. Louis is still pretty new at this job with only two years of experience running an NHL bench. Continued good drafting and development.
There’s a good chance that could happen, but he might have some competition. The award goes to the Canadiens player who played a dominant role during the regular season without earning any particular honour.
Captain Nick Suzuki has been dominant this season and leads the team in scoring. The award normally goes to an unsung hero, so that might tip the scales toward Savard, who has been a very important player again this season, both on and off the ice.
Arber Xhekaj’s recent play as Savard’s partner highlights the positive impact the veteran defenceman has on young players. Samuel Montembeault might also have a shot at the award. I still haven’t decided who will get my vote, but I’m leaning toward Suzuki.
