Underrated Players Strengthen Montreal Canadiens’ Roster Ahead of 2024-25 Season

The Montreal Canadiens continue to navigate the uncertainties of a rebuilding phase as the team looks to improve on their past performances. Surprisingly, they are predicted to remain at 76 points in the standings, a forecast that contradicts the expectation of growth following advancements in the previous two seasons.

Amidst discussions of the team’s potential underestimation, several players are seen as overlooked assets heading into the 2024-25 NHL season. A key example is Jayden Struble, who, despite a promising 56-game rookie season in 2023-24, finds himself overshadowed by other emerging defensive talents within the team. The Canadiens’ depth in young defensemen, including Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, and David Reinbacher, leaves Struble as the oft-forgotten candidate, potentially rotating in and out of the lineup.

Struble’s situation, while not unfair, highlights his underappreciation, partly due to the impressive competition within the Canadiens’ roster. The focus remains on players with higher perceived ceilings like Hutson, yet Struble’s consistent performance deserves more recognition.

Michael Matheson, another underrated player, delivered an impressive 2023-24 season. Despite naysayers, Matheson posted career highs in multiple categories, at only 30 years old, suggesting he is still on an upward trajectory. While some see him as a blockade for upcoming stars, Matheson provides leadership as an alternate captain. There’s a notion from management about not rushing young players into the lineup, supporting Matheson’s continued presence as a valuable mentor.

The team also sees promise in Patrik Laine, their new acquisition, expected to offer significant scoring capabilities. However, Cole Caufield remains a strong contender. Caufield concluded last season with 28 goals, although fans anticipated more, referencing his injury-shortened yet prolific 2022-23 campaign. Looking closer, Caufield’s point totals rose to personal bests, with indications that a decrease in shooting percentage last season hints at forthcoming improvement.

Despite focusing on individual players, the broader picture points to improved offensive output from the Canadiens’ top two lines, an encouraging prospect for the upcoming games, as the team seeks to capitalize on their in-depth roster and give fans reason for optimism.