The Montreal Canadiens still have work to do before they find the top-line forward they’re after, and that uncertainty has opened the door to one of the more interesting lineup ideas floating around.
Grant McCagg’s version puts Kirby Dach on the first line.
That’s the big swing in the projection, and McCagg’s thinking is straightforward: Dach, No. 77, should get a real shot in a role that better matches what he can offer. The 25-year-old is coming off a rough season, one that ended with just 15 points in 37 games, but McCagg wants the talent distributed more evenly across the top two lines.
In that setup, Ivan Demidov stands to benefit the most.
Juraj Slafkovsky, who scored 30 goals last year, would be next to him and provide some help on the second unit. Kapanen would handle center duties on that line again, and the idea is that playing with that kind of talent would give the young Kapanen everything he needs to succeed and get back to the player he was at the start of last season.
McCagg also projected a young look on defense, pairing Lane Hutson with David Reinbacher on the second pair. Even there, the message is the same: nothing is locked in, and the young defenseman would still need to put together a strong training camp.
It’s only a projection, but McCagg has earned some trust. Last year, he correctly predicted Kapanen would take over at center on the second line.
In Other News...
Kapanen Faces A Defining Canadiens Role Battle In Year Two
Oliver Kapanens first full NHL season in Montreal gave the Canadiens a useful look at what they have in the young center. He put up 37 points in 82 games, but his offense tailed off after the Olympics and his playoff usage was limited, leaving the club with a clearer picture of both his promise and the work still ahead. For a team trying to sort out its forward hierarchy, his second year could tell a lot about where he belongs in the lineup.
The opening at camp is intriguing because Kapanen is versatile enough to be considered in different spots, including a potential look next to Ivan Demidov. However the Canadiens slice it, the real question is how quickly he can turn a solid rookie foundation into a larger offensive role without being pushed too far too soon. His development path now feels tied to how Montreal wants to deploy its centers, and the answer may not come easy. [Read more 🡒]
Stphane Richers Tribute To Claude Lemieux Will Hit Canadiens Fans Hard
Claude Lemieuxs death has landed hard in Montreal, where former Canadiens winger Stphane Richer was among the first to speak publicly about the loss during the Serge Savard Invitational. Richer and Lemieux shared a long friendship that stretched from their playing days through shared Stanley Cup success, and his reaction carried the kind of raw disbelief that comes when a teammate from another era is suddenly gone. For Canadiens fans, it is another reminder of how tightly woven those championship years remain in the citys memory.
Richer also pointed to the more recent moments of reconciliation between the two men, a detail that gives his tribute extra weight. Instead of inviting speculation about how Lemieux died, he urged respect and reflection, a sober note that will resonate with anyone who followed both players through the turbulence and triumph of their careers. In Montreal, where old rivalries and old bonds often live side by side, Richers words feel less like a eulogy than a final salute. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Costly Zachary Bolduc Decision Soon
Zachary Bolduc remains one of the more interesting unfinished items on the Canadiens offseason board, with the restricted free agent still unsigned as Montreal sorts out what kind of player it believes he can become. The longer this drags on, the more the discussion shifts from simple contract mechanics to fit, because his next deal will be shaped as much by usage and opportunity as by raw talent.
A recent projection from CapWages suggests a hefty number, though there is understandable skepticism around any estimate that aggressive this early. What matters more for Montreal is the role it has in mind for Bolduc, and right now that picture is still not fully clear. Until that settles, so does the price tag. [Read more 🡒]