Kent Hughes wants his young group to take a step forward this season

For some time now, the Habs have been talking about something different in the run-up to the 2024-25 season. There’s no talk of Stanley Cup aspirations… but the players are making no secret of it: they’re talking about the p-word (or, in French, the s-word), with an eye on the season to come.

I still think it’s a year too soon, but hey.

Series or not, that said, the club will have to continue to progress. That may mean moving up in the standings, but above all, it’ll mean moving up with the youngsters.

For a young team, stagnation (or regression) is unacceptable.

And Kent Hughes knows it. The Habs GM makes no secret of the fact: he wants to see the organization’s youngsters take a step forward next year, as he told Derek Van Diest (NHL.com).

Habs GM: We want to see young core ‘take the next step ‘ https://t.co/kRmjsBPgbO pic.twitter.com/w2LxqXErH6

– theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) August 9, 2024

The GM knows that, eventually, the future will have to become the present in Montreal. Without saying he wants to see his club playing hockey in mid-June, he recognizes that if the Habs are always thinking about the future, it’s going to get tough for veterans.

If we take Brendan Gallagher, for example, we know he has less in the tank than he once did. If the Habs keep saying they’re happy to wait several years before going to the playoffs, it becomes demoralizing for a guy who doesn’t have a ton of hockey left in him.

In reality, the four (or five, with Alex Newhook) solid young forwards on the team are the key to the young group’s progress. It’ll take a big season (over 82 games this time) from Juraj Slafkovský(who, the GM hopes, will eventually become a bargain), but it also requires a big season from Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, who could be the key if the Habs hope to be in the playoff hunt.

Kirby Dach, the other forward in this group, should help… but considering he’s coming back from a major injury, let’s wait before putting a ton of pressure on him.

The young defensemen will also need to keep improving, as will the goalkeeping tandem of Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau.

Because the tone is slowly starting to change in Montreal… and with expectations comes pressure. It’s still at a low level, but it’s starting to happen.

Overtime

– Speaking of youngsters who need to improve.

#GoHabsGo prospect No.4 of our summer rankings!

Joshua Roy was written off early in his career, but hard work and dedication led to his ascension as a top Canadiens prospect.

And now, the stats suggest he’s already among the team’s bestplayers https://t.co/KM22oVIc5E

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) August 9, 2024

– Not to be missed.

We interviewed @BulldogsOHL defenseman Owen Protz today for the @sickpodnhldraft. What a character. Habs fans are going to love this kid!
The episode should be up at 7 pm. pic.twitter.com/KBExqXUmUT

– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) August 9, 2024

– Breakdancing… or David Savard on the power play?

David Savard trying to block every shot on a Habs penalty kill

pic.twitter.com/ZcDzqfHngF

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) August 9, 2024

– Attention all interested parties.

Enroll your child in the Canadiens Fan Club and claim your two free tickets to a day of fun at @LaRondeSixFlags on August 24!

Details ↓ #GoHabsGo

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) August 9, 2024

– Is he really the best option?

The veteran is no longer as formidable, but he’s still a safe bet at his position. https://t.co/Mp8LkfIFVR

– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) August 9, 2024