What Every Young Canadiens Player Needs to Improve This Summer – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

Montreal was the youngest team in the NHL last season and will again be among the league’s youngest this season. This is largely because general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president Jeff Gorton resisted making major roster changes this summer, instead betting on the continued development of the team’s young core.

With so much young talent still developing, Montreal’s hockey development staff, led by Adam Nicholas, undoubtedly spent the offseason providing players with individualized guidance and development plans focused on specific areas for improvement. While most players complete their summer training independently, often with personal coaches, the organization remains closely involved in helping shape those programs. Although only the players and coaches know exactly what those discussions entailed, it is possible to make educated guesses based on each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.

Here are the areas Montreal’s young players were most likely focused on this summer.

The Young Defensemen

Starting with Lane Hutson, it is hard to imagine the coaching staff having much constructive criticism for the young phenom. His hockey IQ is so exceptional that no one probably knows better than Hutson what he needs to improve after an incredible first two NHL seasons. If anything, the coaching staff may have focused on his diet and strength training to help him add muscle. Because his game relies heavily on quickness, any weight gain must be balanced against the need to maintain his speed. Beyond that, Hutson is undoubtedly trying to improve every aspect of his game. As much as he excels on the ice, he likely spends just as much time studying opponents’ tendencies to exploit them more effectively.

Noah Dobson is known as an offensive defenseman but also takes pride in his defensive game. If there is one area he would admit still has room for improvement, it is his defensive awareness. That is not to suggest he is a liability, but refining his play without the puck is likely one of the main areas he focused on this summer.

Size, Strength, and Defensive Growth

Kaiden Guhle’s potential has never been in question. His ability to stay healthy has. If he can produce a bounce-back season, he will remain a major part of Montreal’s progression. Guhle already plays a physical game, but adding strength should help him maintain that style while reducing injury risk. Entering his fifth NHL season at 24, he has not yet reached his physical prime. His offseason program likely included extensive strength and conditioning work and a nutrition plan to maximize his physical development.

Arber Xhekaj already has those physical tools. Where Guhle’s game is built on hockey sense and ability, Xhekaj still has room to grow. His biggest area for improvement is becoming a more reliable defender with the puck. Rather than simply flipping it into the neutral zone and giving possession back, he needs to make smarter breakout plays. If he keeps his game simple while adding composure with the puck, his physicality could become much more effective.

Jayden Struble is, in many ways, a smaller version of Xhekaj. He brings many of the same qualities, but on a team built around speed, skill, and offensive creativity, he needs to show he offers more. He must continue improving to keep his spot on the roster. Otherwise, Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher are waiting for opportunities and could push him down the depth chart.

Engstrom possesses plenty of raw talent. He is an excellent skater with a good shot and strong offensive instincts. The defensive side of his game also shows promise, but he will need NHL experience before anyone can truly see what he is capable of becoming.

The Young Forwards

Montreal is blessed with a young and talented forward group led by captain and, most recently, Selke Trophy winner Nick Suzuki. There is little in Suzuki’s game that stands out as needing improvement, with two exceptions. Although he finished last season with 50.4 percent faceoff wins, he often struggled in key situations, particularly on the power play. He is an outstanding playmaker who plays alongside two excellent shooters, but despite shooting more last season, his shooting percentage declined slightly. He missed the net more often than in previous years, making shot accuracy a likely focus this summer.

After scoring 51 goals last season, it is difficult to identify any offensive weakness in Cole Caufield’s game. However, during Montreal’s surprising run to the Eastern Conference Final, Caufield admitted he struggled in the playoffs. This likely has less to do with his size, which has never prevented him from succeeding, and more to do with making tactical adjustments. If he finds those answers, he could end up scoring even more and delivering a greater impact in the playoffs.

The Next Wave of Offensive Stars

Juraj Slafkovsky continues to get bigger and stronger, and last season he began to truly understand how to use his physical tools to his advantage. The fact that he is still only 22 years old should be a frightening thought for the rest of the Atlantic Division, the Eastern Conference, and the NHL.

Erik Cernak, Slafkovsky’s offseason training partner, said this during their first-round series against his Tampa Bay Lightning: “We have the same strength coach, so we work out and skate together, and I could see the difference right away when he was working hard and going for every single workout and skate with a different intensity.” His development will be fascinating to watch. If he continues to put in the work, could he reach the 100-point mark next season?

If teams are beginning to worry about what Slafkovsky might become, they should already be in panic mode about Ivan Demidov. Fresh off a remarkable rookie season filled with highlight-reel goals and assists, one aspect of his game that may have gone under the radar was his commitment to becoming a complete 200-foot player. Like Hutson, Demidov lives and breathes hockey and wants to dominate. If anything is missing, it may be a greater shoot-first mentality. He is such an unselfish player that taking more shots is probably more a mental adjustment than anything else.

The Supporting Cast Still Has Room to Grow

Oliver Kapanen will look to build on a successful rookie season. The biggest area for improvement is consistency, not only during the regular season but also in the playoffs. Conditioning and stamina were likely major emphases in his offseason training given how his play faded significantly towards the end of the season and in the playoffs. If Kapanen can build on last season, he should continue to play an important role for Montreal at both ends of the ice.

Zachary Bolduc spent much of last season adjusting to a new team and coaching staff and finding his identity in Montreal. It was not always an easy transition, but things clicked during the playoffs. If that version of Bolduc becomes the norm, he can take another significant step forward. He has a world-class release and, combined with his ability to agitate opponents, the type of game that helps teams succeed in the playoffs.

Alex Newhook and Alexandre Texier are slightly more experienced but still relatively young forwards who both need to become more consistent. Newhook would benefit from improving his faceoff ability, which would provide him with more opportunities on the second line and on the PK. A full, injury-free season from Newhook would in itself be a positive development. Texier should benefit from the confidence that comes with a new contract and from the opportunity to play for a team and be coached by a coach with significant potential. He has already shown that he can fill a variety of roles, a versatility that makes him a valuable asset to any lineup.

Finally, will the enigma that is Kirby Dach stand up? Dach has had moments, but for the most part they’ve been few and far between. He has the size and skill, but injuries have slowed his development at the pro level, leaving fans and likely teammates alike wanting more. Will he come to terms with the Canadiens before his upcoming arbitration hearing? Will he sign, or be offered in trade? If he re-signs and stays healthy, it will be fascinating to see what Kirby Dach’s full potential can be. His offseason plan likely still includes injury rehab, which hopefully will help him stay on the ice and out of the clinic.

Montreal’s Growth Will Come From Within

Despite Montreal’s roster remaining largely unchanged heading into next season, many young players are still trending upward in their development. If they continue taking the next steps in their games, they should keep the Canadiens moving toward becoming a legitimate contender for the foreseeable future. Watching this group develop has been one of the NHL’s most compelling storylines, and there is every reason to believe that journey will only become more exciting.