Trading Monahan & Focusing on the Process
Also, a look at the latest Habs News & Rumors column.
Welcome to the THW Montreal Canadiens Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Canadiens writers.
In today’s edition, we look at why it makes sense to trade Sean Monahan, the Habs being at the halfway mark of the season, and more.
It would be great if you’d share the THW Canadiens Substack with your friends and family so that they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
Now on to the good stuff…
Trading Monahan at the Deadline Makes Sense for the Canadiens
January 15, 2024 by Trege Wilson
It’s been quite an up-and-down season for the Montreal Canadiens: they have looked excellent against solid teams, weak against weak teams, and a little bit in between against other teams. So far, they are just under .500 for the season, with a record of 17-18-7 and 41 points at the halfway mark; the Habs are on pace to finish with around 80-82 points, where most media and fans expected them to. This is not a bad progression from last season, especially with the rash of injuries they have had once again this season. The man-games lost keep adding up with top players like Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Christian Dvorak, and Tanner Pearson all out long-term.
One player, however, who has played every game this season is Sean Monahan, and because of his health and relatively good play, many fans want him to stay a Hab. That’s not bad in theory, but it would be a massive mistake by management.
Canadiens at Halfway Mark: Focus on the Process
January 14, 2024 by Blain Potvin
The Montreal Canadiens’ season is more than half over, and to mark the midway point of the campaign, general manager (GM) Kent Hughes provided an update on the team. As a team below .500 and with one of the worst records when it comes to wins in regulation time, it’s no secret they have done more losing than winning this season, but the team remains on track with the rebuild.
It is no secret that the Canadiens are in desperate need of some elite offensive skill at forward. Hughes could be in the market to fill that need and has the assets to find the missing piece either via trade, the draft table or even unrestricted free agency. That being said, they have taken a step forward in their rebuild, albeit a small one as they sit in that “mushy middle” between a playoff spot and a bottom-five draft pick. Now at the midway point of the season, we can see if the rebuild is trending in the right direction.
Canadiens News & Rumors: Zegras, Roy, Monahan & More
January 13, 2024 by Blain Potvin
In this edition of the Montreal Canadiens News & Rumors, there could be a desire to add to the roster for the long term. Sean Monahan’s days in a Habs jersey are numbered, injuries keep hitting the team, and there is an exciting decision to recall Joshua Roy.
Despite injuries continuing to plague the team, Montreal has been hovering around a playoff spot all season but is starting to fall back as teams that were struggling are starting to outpace them for the final wild card spot. General manager (GM) Kent Hughes will have significant work and hard decisions as the trade deadline approaches.