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This summer, the Canadiens saw two players leave.
Brendan Gallagher was traded to the Vancouver Canucks, while Joe Veleno signed a contract with the New York Rangers as a free agent.
But not a single (NHL) player has been added to the roster. As a result, the team's current lineup looks a lot like the one we saw in the most recent playoffs.
The NHL posted a photo of the Montreal team's lineup on Instagram, and one thing stands out: the center line isn't exactly… spectacular.
Let's put it this way.
Nick Suzuki is a top-tier center in the NHL, but there's still a significant hole at center on the second line. If things stay this way, I wonder whether it'll be Jake Evans, Phillip Danault, or Oliver Kapanen who'll start the season in that spot…
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But I decided to put together my own lines this morning, just for fun.
And if I were Martin St-Louis, here's how I'd line them up:
- Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky
- Newhook – Kapanen – Demidov
- Anderson – Evans – Bolduc
- Texier – Danault – Dach
Obviously, I'd like to see someone other than Kapanen as the second-line center. But… we know that worked for a while last season, too. For now, this might be the best option… because I want to see Jake Evans at center on the third line.
It's the perfect role for a guy like him. And having Danault—a responsible player—at center on the fourth line brings a bit of stability to the bottom of the lineup.
I've got Newhook with Kapanen and Demidov because he can use his speed to create opportunities on the ice. And if he's able to create space for Demidov, that's where it can get dangerous for other teams.
I could also have swapped Anderson and Bolduc with Texier and Dach because, overall, we're talking about guys who have what it takes to play on the bottom-6. But Anderson and Bolduc on the same line—two fast guys who can throw checks—is an interesting combination…
Looking at MY lineup, you really realize that we're missing two talented forwards who can play on the top-6. But that's all we have to work with, for now.
And that explains why we're all eager to see Kent Hughes make a move…
Quick Thoughts
– Oh yeah?
Elliotte Friedman: On no-trade/movement clauses: I think the next CBA… I do think this is going to be a thing – DMase Vingan & Daunic (6/30)
— NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) July 18, 2026
– Yeah.
Draymond Green says his first major lesson about taxes came after taking a $60,000 NBA salary advance and only receiving $28,000
“My first contract was three years, $2.6 million. I think I was drafted on June 26. You don't get your first check until November 15. So from June 26 to… pic.twitter.com/TEC8J7XG0n
— dank (@cptdankkk) July 17, 2026
– (Another) heavy loss for the Jays.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 18, 2026
