Samuel Montembeault believes playoffs are within reach next year

Speaking to the media as part of his end-of-season review, Kent Hughes made it clear that expectations will change for the upcoming season. Without saying that he absolutely wants his club to make the playoffs, Hughes sent a message: don’t expect the CH to be at the bottom of the NHL standings in order to get a good draft pick for the rebuild.We seem to want to take the next step in the initial plan. Among the players, it’s the same thing. The guys aren’t satisfied with the season just ended, despite all the circumstances that have surrounded the team in recent months… Which is normal. After all, losing games on a regular basis isn’t necessarily pleasant for anyone, but you have to remember that when healthy, the CH was good. We saw this at the start of the season, when the club caused a bit of a surprise by starting the year strong, leading some to believe that the playoffs are within reach next year. That’s what Samuel Montembeault told Jean-Charles Lajoie this morning: the playoffs are not out of the question next year… If, of course, things can work in the CH’s favor when it comes to injuries.

During his appearance on Premier conteur with @JiCLajoie, @CanadiensMTL goaltender Samuel Montembeault believes in his team’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs next year!

🔵⚪️🔴

Fo

r the full interview⬇️https://t.co/L9ltlhDtC8 pic.twitter.com/M56SrIP1v1– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) April 20, 2023

In reality, it’s true that the CH was far from bad when it had the majority of its big players. The problem is that we never had the chance to evaluate the roster properly because it was never 100% healthy… And that’s why it will be really interesting to see how the club performs at the start of next season, when the guys are no longer injured. Also, Samuel is right when he says that there are a lot of young players who have progressed this year and that they’ll be even better in 2023-2024. The likes of Caufield, Suzuki, Dach, Guhle, Xhekaj, Harris and company have grown through adversity this season, and that can only be good for their respective development. But, then again… There are elements that will have to help the CH if it is to be in a position to compete in the playoffs as early as next year. But the Habs will also have to find a way to be better than the other teams in the Atlantic Division, which won’t necessarily be an easy task.

In gusto

– That’s right.

– It would be a surprise to see him come back, let’s put it that way.

– A true warrior.

– Well done.

– Thank you.